32 Years of Innovation

Oregon based creator of anatomical healthcare models, VATA, turns 32 this spring! Started in May of 1987 by Tom Call, VATA has since grown from a part time operation in the Call family garage, to a successful, full-fledged business with clients in all 50 states and over 56 countries. VATA Founder Tom Call got his start as a medical sales rep and was inspired by one of the latest products he was representing, an implanted port. As this was a completely new medical product, doctors and nurses were inexperienced in the use of this revolutionary medical device. Tom knew how important practice and education were to the nurses and the patients using the implanted ports. He realized there needed to be a way for medical professionals to practice finding and injecting into inserted ports without using actual patients.

With this guiding principle of improving patient care with the most realistic model possible, Tom set out to create VATA’s first product—the Chester Chest—a molded upper torso for nurses to practice palpating and accessing implanted ports. After taking Chester Chest to their first trade show in 1987 at the Infusion Nurses Society (INS), Tom realized the potential of this product and his passion for helping nurses and medical professionals provide the best possible care by providing them with the best possible products to hone their skills. Fast forward to today, and Chester Chest, (albeit a new and improved model) is still the industry standard in the teaching of central line care.

Founder Tom Call has taken a step back from the day-to-day operations and his son, Andrew Call, has taken the reins. Andrew has spent the last 14 years at VATA and prepared in part for his new leadership role by acquiring an MBA from University of Oregon.

“I have always been passionate about ensuring that the simulation models that VATA makes are in sync with what actually happens in the medical arena. Andrew shares that passion,” said VATA Founder, Tom Call. “Andrew brings a great business sense and has helped develop the products. I’m thrilled for him to take over the business and keep it successful.”

Today, VATA has 34 distributors throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Asia and South America. VATA’s current focus is creating training/simulation products for vascular access, wound care, and custom models for various medical device companies.