A Serendipitous Partnership
A few nights ago, I met up with Dennis Maher, our keynote speaker for National Shoulder and Elbow Week (NSEW) 2024 in Buffalo, NY. Over a drink, we reflected on how our paths crossed—an unexpected journey filled with artistic inspiration, coincidence, and a shared sense of purpose. Here’s the story of how Dennis came to speak in front of a room full of shoulder surgeons—and why it matters.
Starting From Scratch
When we won the bid to host NSEW almost a year ago, I’ll admit—I had no idea what I was doing. I’m a surgeon, not an event planner. What I did know was that I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, give back to a cause I believe in, and showcase the incredible things we’re doing in Buffalo to advance shoulder and elbow care.
Step One: Find the Right Venue
The first item on my to-do list? Find a venue that was both budget-conscious and inspiring.
I spent the summer touring about half a dozen locations, channeling my best event planner energy. My mind kept circling back to one theme: art.
To me, shoulder and elbow surgery has always felt artistic, and the recently renovated AKG Art Museum seemed like a natural fit. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out for logistical reasons.
Discovering the Burchfield Penney Art Center
That’s when I visited the Burchfield Penney Art Center—a space I had heard about through our orthopedic partner and master woodworker, Dr. Santilli (who also graciously donated some of his beautiful pieces for our event auction, see the video shared here).
The Burchfield had a beautiful patio overlooking the AKG and was a fantastic showcase for local artists. But there was a snag: we had already planned an auction, led by my patient and auctioneer Kelly Schultz, and the Burchfield didn’t allow auctions. Back to square one.
A Glimpse of Wonder: “Interfield”
But on my way out of the museum, something caught my eye.
Just to the left of the main entrance was an immersive space called “Interfield.” It stopped me in my tracks. The space was magical—Alice in Wonderland meets reclaimed architecture. Whimsical, organic, and completely unexpected.
There were repurposed furniture pieces, architectural elements, and intricate woodwork sculpted into walls and ceilings in a way I had never seen before. It was inviting. Thoughtful. Alive with imagination.
Who Created This?
I asked my guide who the artist was. She told me: Dennis Maher, founder and director of Assembly House 150.
I had heard of Assembly House 150 through the Cornell Club of Greater Buffalo, which had done a tour there (I had missed it). But now I was on a mission. I needed to meet this guy.
Meeting Dennis Maher
I got Dennis’ contact info from the museum and sent out a few emails. A few weeks later, I found myself at his studio/workshop—a converted church that functions as a living, breathing construction-art experiment.
By that time, I had already decided that the Darwin Martin House would be our venue. Things just clicked.
Dennis, an architect, was a natural choice for our keynote—if I could convince him. As luck would have it, we both graduated from Cornell in 1998. That helped. But Dennis admitted he wasn’t sure at first if I was serious.
A Shared Vision: Builders in Every Field
But I was serious—100% serious.
I wanted our community to see the amazing, visionary work Dennis is doing in Buffalo. I wanted him to inspire our audience to realize that we are all “builders” in our own right.
Dennis is gifted at drawing connections across fields—construction, architecture, art, medicine—and tying them together in ways that inspire joy and wonder. When I explained that orthopedic surgeons are the architects and builders of the human body, he agreed to join us as keynote speaker.
Don’t Miss This Moment of Inspiration
Join Us for National Shoulder & Elbow Week – Buffalo, May 17
Dennis Maher is going to deliver a keynote that will unlock something powerful—the creative builder energy inside all of us. I can’t wait to see what connections are made that day.