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MEET YOUR SURGEONS

David

David Heeringa, D.O.

Dr. Heeringa is an innovative and board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with years of experience providing complete general orthopedic care to all ages, from young athletes to aging individuals, and everyone in between.

Known for his compassion and dedication, Dr. Heeringa is committed to helping all of his patients achieve successful outcomes so they can enjoy an improved quality of life.

After obtaining his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 2006, Dr. Heeringa served his residency at Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Afterward, in 2011, he brought his surgical skills and expertise to Hastings Orthopedic Clinic, a private practice in Hastings, Michigan. The practice later became known as the Advanced Orthopedic and Pain Institute at Pennock Hospital, and then the Orthopedic and Pain Center at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital. Dr. Heeringa remained part of the surgical team in Hastings up until he opened his private practice, Thornapple River Orthopedics, with colleague, Dr. James Horton. 

Dr. Heeringa is actively involved in and passionate about his profession, holding memberships in the American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, and Michigan State Medical Society. He’s also been a Clinical Instructor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine since 2012.

In addition to his specialties of anterior hip arthroplasty, trauma and fracture care, and knee and shoulder arthroplasty and arthroscopy, Dr. Heeringa is experienced in revision joint replacement, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, general hand surgery and trauma, ligament reconstruction (including sports injuries), and general foot and ankle surgery. He is also the most experienced Anterior Hip Replacement surgeon in the Grand Rapids area.

Specialties

  • Anterior total hip arthroplasty
  • Trauma and fracture care
  • Knee and shoulder arthroplasty & arthroscopy

Education

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Michigan State University of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI – 2006

Bachelor of Science: Biology
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI – 2002

Board Certification

American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery – March 2015

James

James Horton Jr., D.O.

Dr. Horton received a Doctor of Osteopathy degree and started his career in 1995 with an internship at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. His residency followed in 1997, gaining experience and skills at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. Then, in 2001, Dr. Horton brought his expertise to Hastings, Michigan, and began performing surgery at Hastings Orthopedic Clinic, where he continued to treat patients until joining forces with his colleague, Dr. Heeringa.

Dr. Horton decided to return to private practice because it allowed him to be more patient-focused and more efficient at helping his patients return to healthy, active lives.

He always puts his patients first, and finds it extremely gratifying to treat musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, then witness patients’ satisfaction with outcomes as they get back to doing the things they love.

His devotion to his patients and career is embodied by his affiliations, serving as Staff Physician at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, as well as  Courtesy Staff Physician at both Allegan General Hospital in Allegan, Michigan, and Ionia County Memorial Hospital in Ionia, Michigan.

Dr. Horton is also board-certified and an active member of the American Osteopathic Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and Michigan Orthopedic Society.

Experienced in a wide array of general orthopedics, he treats such conditions as rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, achilles injuries, trigger fingers, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

His specialties include arthroscopic shoulder and knee procedures, chronic tendon care, and total knee replacements utilizing TRUMATCH DePuy technology.

Specialties

  • Total knee replacements
  • Shoulder and knee Arthroscopy
  • Chronic tendon conditions

Education

Doctor of Osteopathy
Kirksville College of Orthopedic Medicine, Kirksville, MO – 1995

Bachelor of Science
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI – 1990

Board Certification

American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery – September, 2003

Kindred Marketing muskegon thornapple river orthopedics

Benjamin Rentfrow, D.O.

Dr. Rentfrow began his career as a licensed physical therapist after graduating from Grand Valley State in 1996. Dr. Rentfrow spent 4 years learning the McKenzie mechanical methods for treating back pain after physical therapy school. He still employs these principles when guiding patients today. After becoming a hospital rehab department manager as well as treating a full-time caseload of patients, he felt his autonomy over his patients was lacking and returned to medical school.

Dr. Rentfrow attended The Kansas City University of Medicine and graduated in 2006. He was accepted for an internship and orthopedic residency at Mt Clemens General Hospital (now McLaren Macomb). He completed an ACGME spine fellowship at St Joseph Medical Center Ann Arbor in 2012. He began his career at Detroit Medical Center (Detroit Receiving) in 2012. Preferring the autonomy of private practice, he joined The Center for Orthopedic Surgery and again began working out of McLaren Macomb.

After a personal illness forced him to close his private practice, he joined Carilion Clinic in southwest Virginia in 2019. Again, the lure of private practice was strong for Dr. Rentfrow, and he began looking for another private group where hear grew up in West Michigan. Dr. Heeringa and Dr. Rentfrow were resident classmates and the idea of joining Dr. Heeringa and Dr. Horton eventually materialized.

Dr. Rentfrow completed over 500 procedures during 330 cases at St Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor as a Spine fellow with an emphasis on minimally invasive, trauma, and deformity. Dr. Rentfrow can safely instrument hardware from C3 to the pelvis. Given his physical therapy background, surgery only occurs as the last option for his patients.

Dr. Rentfrow has served as faculty at Wayne State School of Medicine, Michigan State University, the Virginia Tech Medical School at Carilion in Roanoke, VA, and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA.

Specialties

  • Trauma spine surgery
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery:
    • ALIF
    • XLIF
    • TLIF
    • Microdiscectomy
    • Kyphoplasty
    • Screw instrumentation
  • Traditional open surgery:
    • Laminectomy
    • Posterior lumbar fusion
    • Anterior Cervical discectomy and Fusion
    • Posterior Cervical laminectomy and Fusion
    • Screw instrumentation

Education

Doctor of Osteopathy
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences,
Kansas City, MO

Undergraduate & Masters
Grand Valley State University,
Allendale, MI

Board Certification

American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery – September, 2011

OUR TEAM

Chris

Chris Born, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Chris is a board-certified Physician Assistant, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University, and a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, Illinois. He has worked with Dr. Horton his entire career as an Orthopedic Surgery Physician Assistant since 2008. Chris is a dedicated member of Physician Assistant Orthopedic Surgery, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants.

Chris

Corey Hirdes, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Corey graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University, and later earned a Masters of Medical Science and Physician Assistant Studies from Western Michigan University. He’s since accrued over five years of orthopedic experience. Corey has been commissioned in the Michigan Army National Guard since 2012 and lives in Jenison, Michigan with his wife and two children. As a lover of sports and an athlete himself, Corey has a deep understanding of athletic injuries and provides an excellent perspective.

Nikki

Nikki Grode, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Nikki possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences as well as a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies. She has a sports medicine background with experience as a Medical Assistant/PT Tech at Sports Medicine Associates, and a Medical Assistant at the Institute of Athletic Medicine. She has worked  with Dr. Horton since she started in orthopedics over 4 years ago as a Physician Assistant at Spectrum Health Pennock Orthopedic and Pain Center. Nikki is a member of American Academy of Physician Assistants and Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery.

Call us to schedule an appointment today: 616.266.9100