This year, Miller Orthopedic celebrates its newest physician, Dr. Clayton Thor, and the 30-year anniversary of Dr. Daniel Larose, one of the first recruited associates under Dr. Ronald Miller in 1988, founder of the practice.

Thor is a total joint specialist, a graduate of University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He completed his residency at William Beaumont School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Michigan and was fellowship trained in adult reconstructive surgery at Hedley Orthopedic Institute in Phoenix.

Thor brings his passion to the Midwest, a place he calls home.

“It’s been a whirlwind, but in a good way. I’m working on building a practice and doing what I love, taking care of as many people as I can,” Thor said. “I love being back here.”

Thor said he does a few things differently than most physicians in the area in total hip and total knee surgeries.

“I use a minimally invasive muscle sparing procedure. I’m able to split muscle and take down less tendons, so people get up and move quicker,” he said. “With total knees, I use a robotic assisted surgery to do scans before surgery, and use computer software to perfectly place the implant.”

While Miller Orthopedic welcomes the newest physician to the team, Larose is one of the longest standing physicians with 30 years in the field and no plans for retirement.

Larose is one of 12 orthopedic specialists on the Miller Orthopedic team, partnering with the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks, Iowa Western Reivers and more recently, College of Saint Mary Flames in sports medicine.

“We don’t formally teach medical students, but we are starting a program with the College of Saint Mary that they will do clinic rotations,” he said. “We cover southwest Iowa clinics and I’ve been going to smaller communities, we have about 10 satellite clinics.”

In the last 30 years, Larose said he’s proud of the growth he has seen first hand.

“I’ve seen a lot of patients and now I’m starting to see the children of the patients I’ve seen. We have grown and Council Bluffs has grown quite a bit, as well,” Larose said.