Expertise That Changes Lives
Meet Your Prosthetists in Commerce Township
Behind every success story at our clinic stands a team of dedicated professionals. Our prosthetists and orthotists view their work as a calling, not merely a job. They bring a genuine commitment to transforming your life through exceptional, personalized care.
What makes our team different isn’t just their exceptional technical expertise. It’s their refusal to accept “good enough,” their patience when others would rush, and their belief that every single patient deserves an unlimited commitment to their comfort and success.
A Prosthetist's Journey to Excellence
Jeff Ropp isn’t just Ropp Orthopedic Clinic’s founder—he’s the embodiment of what a prosthetist in Commerce Township should be. With over 30 years in prosthetics, Jeff’s journey began long before establishing Ropp in 2005. His early work with the Variety Club of Michigan, where he created prosthetic arms for children and adults, provided him with specialized expertise that few prosthetists possess.
Jeff’s technical expertise expanded during his time with Hanger Inc., where he managed metro Detroit facilities and mastered modern techniques like 3D scanning and CAD design. But more importantly, this corporate experience taught him what not to do—how quotas destroy quality, how central fabrication creates delays, and how corporate priorities compromise patient care.
Jeff Ropp
President and Lead Prosthetist
Philosophy and Approach
What distinguishes Jeff as a prosthetist isn’t just experience; it’s his philosophy. He fundamentally rejects that prosthetic pain is normal. When five clinics told Jim Beardsley that his 34 years of pain were inevitable, Jeff’s expertise and persistence proved them wrong
His approach is to listen, design creatively, and persist when others would quit. As patient J. Endres said, “Jeff never gives up.” This relentless dedication to spending whatever time it takes to achieve a perfect, comfortable fit defines his practice.
Continuing Innovation and Education
Despite decades of experience, Jeff remains a student of his craft. He pursues advanced training like the HiFi Socket certification—exclusive to us in Michigan—and teaches at Eastern Michigan University. His greatest education, however, always comes from his patients.
Innovation at our clinic reflects Jeff’s practical, patient-first philosophy. He adopted the HiFi socket because it solves problems others can’t. He maintains our on-site lab because immediate adjustments improve results. Every decision is based on patient benefit.
Stephanie Miner
Director of Orthotist
Unique Background and Expertise
Stephanie Miner brings exceptional qualifications to her role as Director of Orthotics. Her journey to becoming a prosthetist and orthotist in Commerce Township began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wayne State University—unusual preparation that provides unique insight into patient needs beyond physical challenges.
Stephanie’s technical credentials are equally impressive. Her Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics from Eastern Michigan University provided comprehensive clinical training. Her ABC certification as an orthotist demonstrates professional competence. But credentials alone don’t capture what makes Stephanie exceptional.
Philosophy of Care
Stephanie is guided by a simple philosophy: ‘We are here to help others.” This means she sees people, not just diagnoses. Whether designing solutions for a child who wants to play or an adult who wants to walk confidently, she sees the person first.
Her approach is collaborative, not authoritarian. She works with patients and their entire healthcare team to develop solutions together. This ensures the orthotic device fits the patient’s life, creating the buy-in and compliance that lead to truly successful outcomes.
Specializations and Achievements
Stephanie’s expertise spans the full orthotic spectrum, from neuromuscular conditions like MS to common sports injuries. She has a particular passion for pediatrics, where her psychology background helps her connect with and empower young patients in their own care.
Her commitment to excellence provides relief for patients who have struggled with poorly fitting devices from other providers. Her patience, attention to detail, and refusal to accept “close enough” are a perfect reflection of our overall clinic philosophy.
The First Face of Ropp
Michael Grace serves as Business Manager, but his role extends far beyond administrative duties. As often the first person patients interact with, Mike sets the tone for the Ropp experience. His warm welcome, efficient service, and genuine concern immediately communicate that this isn’t a typical medical facility.
Mike’s responsibilities include checking patients in and out, preparing files, answering phones, and scheduling appointments. But these tasks are performed with attention that makes each patient feel valued. He remembers names, asks about families, and celebrates successes. This personal touch transforms routine interactions into relationship building.
Michael Grace
Business Manager
Supporting Clinical Excellence
While not a prosthetist, Mike is integral to our clinical success. He expertly manages the complex operations, from insurance battles to efficient scheduling. This allows our clinical team to focus entirely on what matters most: direct, high-quality patient care.
Mike also brings a clinical awareness that is rare in an administrative role. His understanding of patient needs helps him schedule adequate time for complex cases and identify urgent situations, enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of our entire team.
Kelsey Holden
Prosthetic Specialist
Dedication to Patient Success
Kelsey Holden represents the next generation of prosthetic excellence at Ropp. Working alongside Jeff Ropp, Kelsey brings fresh perspective while maintaining our traditional commitment to patient-centered care. Her work on Christ Thiobino’s prosthetics demonstrated both technical skill and emotional intelligence.
“It feels awesome,” Kelsey reflected about Christ’s success. “The first appointment he was very skeptical, but every appointment after that he got more comfortable… It was really awesome knowing that it made him happy.” This joy in patient success defines Kelsey’s approach to every case.
Technical Excellence and Innovation
Kelsey combines traditional prosthetic craftsmanship with openness to new technologies and techniques. She understands that innovation must serve purpose, not publicity. Under Jeff’s mentorship, she’s learned to evaluate new methods critically, adopting what helps while avoiding costly distractions.
Her technical skills span the full range of prosthetic needs, from pediatric to geriatric, from simple to complex. But technical ability alone doesn’t define Kelsey’s value. It’s her ability to translate technical possibilities into practical solutions that work in patients’ real lives.
Our Team's Commitment to You
At Ropp, you receive personalized attention from a team that knows your history and is committed to your goals. This continuity of care, rare in modern healthcare, builds trust and produces superior outcomes. We are not just providers but partners in your journey.
We understand that your needs don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. That’s why we offer same-day availability for urgent issues. Our team adjusts to meet your needs, providing physical and emotional support whenever you need us.
Our
Support Team
Technicians and Fabricators
Behind every successful device stands our skilled technical team. They aren't assembly-line workers; they are true artisans who know that millimeters matter. They work directly with our prosthetists, providing expert input based on their deep knowledge of materials and fabrication. Our technicians take immense pride in their work, knowing each device profoundly affects someone's life. This direct connection to the patient's outcome is what drives their pursuit of excellence—a level of quality that high-volume practices cannot achieve
Administrative Excellence
Our administrative team handles the complex bureaucracy of modern healthcare so patients can focus on healing. They navigate insurance requirements, manage prior authorizations, coordinate with physicians' offices, and ensure documentation meets all requirements. But they do more than process paperwork. They advocate for patients when insurance companies deny necessary services. They find creative solutions to coverage limitations. They explain complex policies in understandable terms. This advocacy often makes the difference between receiving optimal care and settling for inadequate solutions.
What Makes
Our Team Different
Unlimited Commitment
to Each Patient
Every team member at Ropp shares one fundamental commitment: we don’t stop until you are comfortable. This isn’t just a policy; it is a deeply held belief that defines our practice and drives our every action for our patients.
This means a technician remaking a part or our admin staff fighting an insurance battle. As patient J. Endres said, “Jeff never gives up.” This relentless dedication to your success is standard practice for every single person on our team.
Collaborative Culture of Excellence
Our team doesn’t work in isolated silos; we collaborate continuously on every case. This teamwork extends beyond our walls, as we work closely with your physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers to ensure truly comprehensive, integrated care.
This collaborative culture means you benefit from our collective expertise, not just one person’s knowledge. Complex cases receive input from multiple perspectives, leading to more creative and effective solutions that are tailored specifically to your unique personal needs.
Continuous Learning
and Improvement
Despite decades of combined experience, our team remains committed to lifelong learning. We attend conferences and study new techniques, but learn the most from our patients. This allows us to thoughtfully adopt proven improvements, always focused on improving your outcome.
This knowledge is shared generously within our team. Senior members mentor junior staff, and technicians share fabrication innovations. This collaborative learning multiplies our individual expertise into a collective advancement that benefits every single one of our valued patients.
Come
Join Our Team of Difference Makers
Growing Our Impact
As demand for our services grows, we occasionally seek exceptional individuals to join our team. But we don’t just hire employees—we seek partners in our mission. Technical skills can be taught; commitment to patient-centered care must be inherent.
Potential team members should understand that working at Ropp means embracing our philosophy of unlimited commitment, patience over efficiency, and outcomes over profits. It means joining a family-owned practice where excellence is expected, mediocrity is unacceptable, and every patient matters equally.
Building the Future
Our current team is building something larger than individual careers—we’re establishing a legacy of exceptional care that will serve Southeast Michigan for generations. Every patient success adds to this legacy. Every problem solved advances our collective expertise. Every life transformed validates our approach.
Future team members will inherit not just jobs but responsibility for maintaining standards that thousands of patients depend upon. They’ll carry forward traditions of excellence while contributing their own innovations. They’ll become part of a story that began over 30 years ago and continues growing stronger.