The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Foundation uses seed grants to fuel the research that improves patient care. In this short video, Dr. Matthew DiPaola uses a simple garden analogy—planting garlic cloves in the fall that grow into full heads by summer—to show how small, early investments lead to meaningful advances in shoulder and elbow surgery.
As a practice serving Western New York from our offices in Williamsville, Orchard Park, and Niagara Falls, we’re proud to support the ASES mission and the upcoming National Shoulder & Elbow Week in May 2026.
Our goal is the same here in the Buffalo–Niagara region as it is nationally: better outcomes, less-invasive treatments, and solutions to tough problems like infection after joint replacement.
What Are ASES Seed Grants?
Think of a seed grant like a garlic clove: modest in size, but packed with potential. ASES Foundation seed grants (often $10–30k) help talented investigators launch focused projects that can blossom into multi-year studies, new techniques, and better patient care. These “starter” funds often make the difference between a promising idea and a published, practice-changing result.
Why this matters locally: When research gets off the ground, its benefits reach our patients here in Erie and Niagara Counties—from athletes and contractors to retirees—because new protocols and technologies spread quickly through teaching, publication, and collaboration.
What Research Do These Grants Support?
Seed funding accelerates projects that improve diagnostics, refine surgical techniques, and tackle stubborn challenges such as:
- Periprosthetic (implant-related) infection after shoulder replacement
- Less-invasive arthroscopic solutions for rotator cuff and labral injuries
- Optimization of post-op recovery and return-to-work/return-to-sport timelines
This type of work often starts small, then grows into multi-center trials across leading programs nationwide—allowing researchers to gather enough cases to draw reliable conclusions and set new standards of care.
National Shoulder & Elbow Week (May 2026)
National Shoulder & Elbow Week is an ASES-led, weeklong series of events in cities across the country to raise awareness and funding for these seed grants. Expect a mix of public education, clinician meet-ups, and community programming—all focused on improving shoulder and elbow health.
We’ll share details about Buffalo-area activities as they’re finalized so colleagues, trainees, OR teams, and community members can participate.
Our Role in Western New York
Our team cares for shoulder and elbow problems across the greater Buffalo–Niagara region, drawing patients from surrounding counties, northern Pennsylvania, and southern Ontario. We combine:
- Advanced surgical expertise (arthroscopy, shoulder replacement, revision surgery)
- Research-backed decision-making
- Thorough patient education designed to make complex topics clear
Dr. DiPaola is a member of ASES and helps champion patient-centered initiatives that push research forward while keeping practical realities—like OR setup and safe positioning—in mind.
How You Can Support the Mission
- Spread the word. Share the video with colleagues, training programs, and OR teams.
- Join local events in May 2026. We’ll post Buffalo-area details as they go live.
- Consider donating to ASESF. Even small gifts help seed the next breakthrough.
Need Shoulder or Elbow Care in Buffalo–Niagara? Call 716-204-3200 or request a consultation
We’re here to help if you need a diagnosis, a second opinion, or a treatment plan grounded in the latest evidence.
About our practice: We specialize exclusively in shoulder and elbow care, offering arthroscopic repairs, shoulder replacement (anatomic and reverse), revision surgery, elbow arthroscopy and ligament reconstruction, and more—delivered with a patient-first approach and research-informed care.