We at Vionic are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of our company’s founder, Phillip Vasyli, who died this week at his home in the Bahamas.
Vasyli, 59, was a pioneer and innovator in the field of lower-limb biomechanics. Since founding his podiatry practice nearly 30 years ago, Vasyli treated thousands of patients, ranging from young children to amateur and professional athletes. Known by friends and colleagues as a “born healer,” he had a genuine passion for making orthotic treatment more affordable and accessible to people in need of pain relief.
Early in his career, Vasyli realized that the only treatment options for many common foot-related ailments, like plantar fasciitis or over-pronation, were costly and time-consuming. In response to the overwhelming demand for a solution, he invented one of the first heat-moldable orthotics, a low-cost option that allowed patients to walk out of his practice feeling better than when they’d come in. This philosophy laid the groundwork for the award-winning Orthaheel orthotic, the world’s first and only true orthotic available without a doctor’s prescription. Vasyli’s creation revolutionized the industry and paved the way for limitless innovation in the footwear field.
Vasyli embodied the professional ideal, dedicating himself not only to his patients but to the advancement of the field of podiatry and lower-limb biomechanics. In founding the Vasyli Foundation, he supported a number of charities internationally and strived to improve health care in poor and under-served communities.
A mentor to many and an esteemed colleague to all, Phillip Vasyli’s passing represents an incredible loss. All of us at Vionic Group LLC and Vasyli Medical are proud to have been associated with him and are honored to continue his professional legacy.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and community.
Elisa
So very sad to hear this news. His shoes changed my stride and eased my pain. I am very grateful.
John Miller
Such a tragedy. Phillip was a visionary man who through his thinking and skills changed the world for foot health.
Karen
Shocked and saddened by this news, he was so young. The vionic insoles have changed my life, and I am forever grateful! Prayers to his family and friends, rest in peace.
Olga
The only shoes that have helped ever since I discovered them On QVC. thank you Philip for thinking of everyone’s well being, may you rest in peace. : (
Denise
My condolences to the family. He changed the lives of many – mine included.
CONNIE COOLEY
VIONIC has made it possible that I have not had to have knee surgery. QVC has made it possible for the people that would have the opportunity to purchase VIONIC shoes.
May GOD BLESS and comfort each of the family and friends in their time of berevment!
Karen
What a shock, GOD bless the family.. My daughter Caroline bough me a pair of Vionic sandals for my birthday and we used them in Cancun for the first time. I have never had a pair so comfortable, with support…REST IN PEACE.
CONNIE COOLEY
VIONIC has made it possible that I have not had to have knee surgery. QVC has made it possible for the people that would have the opportunity to purchase VIONIC shoes.
May GOD BLESS and comfort each of the family and friends in their time of berevment!
Tammy Prince
I’m truly saddened to learn of Phillip’s passing. My prayers are with his family as well as his professional family during this difficult time. I am able to walk without pain because of his dedication to the orthotic field. I will forever be grateful for his research.
Dorothy Hays
I too walk w/o pain with Vionic shoes. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Praying for his family.. And for the continued work of Vionic.
Tina
Sending prayers and peace to his family during this most difficult time……
Heidi Smith
Thank you so much for the technology you had, and shared it with your patients. Plantar fascilliytus was so painful, and the shots were extremely painful. you were a blesing yo us, and you were called to young to go home. We thank you every day and will continue to do so. Deepest sympathy to your Family and Friends.
Blackwell
so sorry for your loss, prayers to the family.
Vionic shoes had helped me do much in my life, a Thank you
Deb Fleming
If not for these shoes…flip flops…slippers…I wouldn’t be walking. So sorry for your loss …
Carol
sorry to hear this. The man and his company have saved my feet, knees and back. Prayers and thoughts to his family
Cindy Jones
So very sad to hear of Phillip’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his family at Vionic. I feel that I am one of the lucky ones that his vision helped. I will always remember my trip to the corporate office and meeting him. He seemed larger than life when I met him . . . because I thought so much of him.
Rose Gerschutz
Orthoheel has made a big difference in my life. Wear them all the time. My sympathy to his family and friends.
Maureen
Such a tragic loss. His shoes are the only shoes I can wear. They helped me to walk again without pain. Condolences to the family.
Cynthia Lo Masney
How sad to hear such . …and how lucky so many people are to have had Phillip in their lives!
Phillip helped so many people…certainly…there is a place in Heaven for Phillip !
Prayers to his Family and also Liam!
Georgia Luzia
A true visionary. He will be a notable loss to his friends, family & the Orthaheel community of which I am a proud member.
Thank you, for the Ortha”HEAL”s – you changed my life.
In prayer for those he left behind.
Florence Hartman
God rest his soul. I, too, am a grateful owner of many Orthaheels products. He truly did bring relief to many at an affordable price.
My condolences to his family
Cathryn
I am so very sorry to read this sad news. He was such a young man, who did great things and helped many people. I am sending prayers to his family and friends from the USA. Best wishes.
Christine
So sorry to hear about Mr Vasyli’s passing. What a talented man and sad to hear he died so young
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Marguerite
I weanr a pair of Vionic sandals EVERYDAY and am saddened that the founder and a compassionate man with a spirit of healing has passed so suddenly. Such a shock and impact on family, friends and the company. Rest in peace doctor and condolences to the family – natural and extended family. God bless you all…
Noreen Hansen
So sadden by the news of Phillip’s passing.
Judy Vanisko
Along with a lot of others I was helped with Vionic shoes and orthoheal slippers . I developed peripheral neuropthy about 3-4 years ago. Ordered my first pair thinking I could send them back and was so happy with them. Another pair just came a week or so ago. Bless this family. RIP Phillip.
Michelle ruppenkamp
So sorry, loved watching him. Prayers are sent to the family and friends RIP
Annette Gustavson
My heart goes out to his family–the loss is almost unbearable I know from my own family. So sad to hear of his passing…he helped so many with his generous ideas and actions. RIP kind soul.
Debbie Zimmerman
Such a tragedy….I am wearing Vionic by Orthoheal at this moment. This shoe-line has changed my life. I am so sorry to hear of Phillip’s passing.
Geraldine Tinnin
My prayers and thoughts go out to the family and loved ones.. He will be terribly missed.
Dawn
Condolences to the family. Phillip will be greatly missed
Alice
I am so sorry for the loss of such a great inovator, without his Orthaheels I would not be able to walk, he gave me my walking back, Orthaheel are the only shoes I wear and will never be disapointed, I hope the great innovation he has left behind will continue on strong in his honour, I am proud to walk in his Vionic/orthaheel shoes, may he rest in peace with the angels in heaven and may all whom are walking in the wonderful technology he left us walk in peace and free of pain always, thanks to him.
Katie
My prayers and thoughts are with the family. I just ordered my first pair and expect arrival this afternoon of them, so many recommendations on these shoes and amazing transformation that they can make for one suffering from feet issues.
vania
So very sorry to hear the news.He was a great visionary who has done miracle to our feet.
You and your knowledge will be terribly missed.
Wanda L Powell
So sad he made the best flip flop I wear them 24/7.Prayers to the family.
Wanda LPowell
Very sad I wear Vionic 24/7 his flip flops are the best.Prayers to the family.
Christine Marcus
so sorry. To hear about this great loss. Philip has made a difference in my life. I have always had a bad back until I found out about orthoheel. My sincere condolences to his family and the employees who enjoyed working for and with him
Sharon
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Orthaheel shoes have changed my life…I don’t wear any others and walk pain free now. I am so grateful! Thank you!
Shannon Barone
so sad to hear of his passing. His shoes have made my quality of life, standing on my feet, so much better. Prayers to all of his family and friends.
Lisa Cullings Polk
Oh, so sad. I know I speak for all of my customers when I say we give thanks to him for his contribution to healing and providing comfort to so many. Blessings to his family and friends.
Elizabeth Harris
So Sorry to hear he passed. My prayers and heart goes out to his family. May God be with you. Stay strong.
Julie
So sorry to hear of the loss. Prayers for his family and many colleagues who will be deeply impacted by his passing.
Teresa V.
So sorry to hear. Your shoes changed my life. Thank you!
Anita Dievert
So sorry to hear about the passing of your founder.
Vicki
Prayers for the family and friends for this sad loss.
Mary
My condolences to the Dr’s family, friends, colleagues and customers/patients. May you find peace knowing he will continue his good works from his new home in heaven.
Adlean
I would like to let Phillips, family know how deeply sorry I am at his passing. I pray that God will give them the peace that only God can gave.
CAROL
So sad to hear this horrible news.. I do send my best condolences to the family and community who has lost such a cherished and special pioneer,.
Christine
How very sad! What a great loss to the community. His shoes are fabulous, what an innovative man. God bless his family, friends and all his coworkers.
Jacque Lowman
Dearest Marie and Toni, to say we are saddened by the tragic passing of your son and brother is an understatement. We think of him as a boy with his brother. How proud he has made all of you. I know he will be missed so much by both of you and his son and daughter but the whole World will grieve and miss him for his inventions and his generosity. If you read this Marie please send me an email we have been looking for you for ages. Special prayers for all of you.
R. Janice
A young man with a gift that’s provided healing and relief to so many is gone but I challenge the rest of the family and employees to carry on the work that he has become known for and do it with the passion that he had. Grief is real but so are memories! Allow your memories to overtake the grief. Blessings for a peace that passeth all earthly understanding.
Karen
My sympathies to his family. I started wearing his shoes a few months ago and it has helped decrease my foot pain. May his family know he has made a difference in many people’s lives and in our quality of living.