Andrew Ames, DO – Chairperson / President

Dr. Ames is an orthopedic surgeon and physician-scientist specializing in sports medicine, joint preservation, cartilage restoration, and complex shoulder, hip, and knee reconstruction. His academic work centers on optimizing patient outcomes through implant selection and design, return-to-sport outcomes, cartilage repair techniques, shoulder arthroplasty implant selection and design, and novel biomechanical and imaging-based methods for surgical reconstruction and implant positioning. He also has a strong interest in emerging technologies and machine learning in orthopedic clinical practice.

Dr. Ames has authored numerous peer-reviewed research articles, multicenter studies, and textbook chapters. He is frequently invited to present his work at national and international meetings including AAOS, ISAKOS, AOSSM, AAHKS, and the International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and is a recipient of the Mark Steiner, MD Researcher of the Year Award at the New England Baptist Hospital/Harvard.

As Chair of the Detroit Orthopedic Research Foundation, Dr. Ames leads strategic research development, scientific oversight, multicenter collaboration, clinical registry design, and integration of multimedia-enhanced surgical education.

Safa Kassab, MD – Vice Chair

Dr. Safa Kassab is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee arthroplasty, advanced surgical technology, and patient-outcome optimization. He was among the first surgeons in Michigan to adopt augmented-reality knee replacement and integrates precision alignment and data-driven techniques into joint reconstruction. He is a well recognized physician-scientist and has authored numerous peer reviewed articles and serves as a surgeon advisor to several orthopedic and technology firms. As Vice Chair, Dr. Kassab guides the Foundation’s research priorities in arthroplasty and helps facilitate collaborative and outcomes-focused projects.

Maher Bahu, MD – Associate Vice Chair

Dr. Matt Bahu is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with expertise in reconstructive and arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and elbow. He has published numerous articles and serves as an invited speaker at numerous professional society conferences. His clinical interests include sports injuries and evidence-based optimization of surgical techniques.

Nicholas Schroeder, MD – Secretary

Dr. Nicholas Schroeder is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in non-operative and minimally invasive treatment of spinal stenosis, disc herniation, deformity, and complex spine fractures.

Robert Howard, DO – Treasurer

Dr. Robert Howard is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle disorders, with a focus on comprehensive lower-extremity care and patient education.

Michael Behun - Independent Community Advisor

DORF is committed to advancing orthopedic science through clinical innovation, research, and education.

We unite surgeons, engineers, and scientists to push the boundaries of musculoskeletal health.