iAM Team

Dr. John Samani is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder and sole owner of the Institute For Athletic Medicine, an orthopedics and sports medicine-based practice in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He founded the practice in 2000.

Dr. Samani graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1986 and then received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1990. After five years of specialized orthopedic training, he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Vermont in 1995, followed by a fellowship at the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center in 1996 and 1997. During his fellowship, he became specialty trained in sports medicine utilizing arthroscopic and reconstructive techniques of the knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle. While in Minneapolis, Dr. Samani enjoyed the privilege of working with athletes at the highest level including the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves professional sports organizations. He also provided care to the men’s and women’s athletic teams at the University of Minnesota of the Big Ten conference.

Fation (Tony) Shaholli is a board-certified Physician Assistant who has been practicing medicine since 2011. He has worked in the orthopaedic surgery and emergency medicine specialties where he has gained vast experience in treating a wide range of conditions and comorbidities.

He grew up in Albania, and moved to the United States and Metro Detroit area in year 2000. After graduating high school, he earned his degree of Bachelor of Science from University of Detroit Mercy. He then attended Pace University in New York City where he earned his degree of Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. He began working with Dr. Samani in February of 2019. Before that he has worked in Muskegon, Michigan as an orthopaedic surgical PA-C and at Hurley Medical Center as an emergency medicine PA-C. Tony still practices emergency medicine and maintains his skills on contingent basis.

He takes pride and enjoys serving the community as well as taking care of patients. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys sports, especially soccer and basketball, which he has played in the past. Few other hobbies include traveling and photography.

Amanda is a lifelong Michigan resident, a Grand Blanc High School graduate, and studied Healthcare Administration at Baker College. For the past 12 years Amanda has been in all aspects of the healthcare field. This includes front office reception desk, health insurance customer service, and nursing assistant at a hospital. Her past work experience helps her to excel in her position with Dr. Samani.

Amanda is the proud mother to an amazing son and is very family oriented. She prides herself on being compassionate and a friendly face to all. Amanda is active in her community, volunteering for the Special Olympics, Breast Cancer Awareness runs, and the Eastern Michigan Food Bank.

Jessica graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Health Science from the University of Michigan-Flint before receiving her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University. She specializes in working with a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions of all ages, including post-surgical, acute, and sports related injuries. She combines her movement analysis, exercise prescription and manual therapy skills to help her patients achieve their goals. She has a special interest in working with golfers and dancers. Jessica has certifications in Functional dry needling, Applied Functional Science, Hawkgrips, Functional Golf and is TPI certified from the Titleist Performance Institute.

AJ graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Central Michigan University before receiving his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University in 2018. He specializes in working with a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions for patients of all ages, including post-surgical, acute, chronic, and sport-related injuries (both recreational and high-level athletes). He is specifically passionate about working with throwers and runners.

AJ is a movement specialist that earned his Fellowship in Applied Functional Science® from the Gray Institute®, which utilizes an understanding of Chain Reaction® biomechanics, looking at how the whole body moves and influences specific injuries, in order to enhance the lives of his patients and assist them in achieving their functional goals.

AJ has certifications in Functional Manual Reaction, Functional Dry Needling, and is OAI certified from the Overhead Athletic Institute. He is a Clinical Advisor, mentoring new-grad PTA’s within the company, and he also previously served as a Teaching Assistant in the PT program at Wayne State University, for the Therapeutic Exercise and Kinesiology/Biomechanics courses, for 3 years.

Heather graduated in 2011 with her Bachelors in Health Science and a Minor in Exercise Science before receiving her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Oakland University in 2015. She has experience treating various orthopedic conditions, including post-surgical and sports related injuries for patients of all ages. Heather will implement manual techniques, corrective exercises, modalities, and a safe return to sport plan of care to help restore proper movement patterns which will lead to improved pain and function. She has a Certification in Applied Functional Science (CAFS) and a certification in myofascial cupping to help with lymphatic drainage, trigger point release, stretch reflex modulation, tissue stiffness reduction, and pain modulation. Heather is also ASTYM certified which helps to improve the body’s natural healing response.