Dr. Alexander Thomas

Dr. Thomas is the current owner of Michigan Foot & Ankle Specialists. He trained and worked with the practice’s previous owner, Dr. Ali M. Safiedine, before purchasing the practice in 2016.

Born in Detroit, Dr. Thomas is the son of immigrants from Iraq. His father, who immigrated in the ‘60s, worked as a butcher and then a grocery store owner in Detroit. His mother, who immigrated in the ‘70s, served as an inner-city teacher for 30 years and now works as a freelance translator for Arabic and Chaldean.

Dr. Thomas received a Bachelor of Science at Wayne State University in 2009. He then moved to Miami Shores, FL for studies at the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. After graduating in 2014, he returned to the area for post-graduate training under Dr. Safiedine and became fully licensed in 2015.

Memberships and certifications Dr. Thomas possesses include:

• The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
• The Michigan Podiatric Medical Association (MPMA)
• American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM)
• American Diabetes Association (ADA)
• United Outstanding Physicians

Outside of the practice, Dr. Thomas relishes spending time with his wife, Lanai, and son, Benjamin. He also enjoys movies and travel.

Dr. Ali Chami

Dr. Ali Chami was born and raised in the Dearborn area where he graduated from Dearborn High School as a multi-sport athlete. He went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. On multiple academic scholarships, he graduated with his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University. His time at KSU is highlighted by his placement on the Dean’s List all four years, graduating top 10 in his class, Pi Delta Honor Society membership, and receiving the Diabetic Lower Extremity Care Award.

Determined to come back home, his 3-year residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery with Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle was completed at the Detroit Medical Center. Additional training facilities included Beaumont (Royal Oak, Troy, Grosse Pointe) and Straith Hospital. Supplemental rotations during these years included orthopedic trauma (adult and pediatric), emergency medicine, infectious disease, internal medicine, general surgery, vascular surgery, and more. He is grateful to learn from some of the best podiatric and orthopedic surgeons in Metro-Detroit at multiple level 1 trauma centers, including a pediatric level 1 trauma center.

In his final year, Ali was named Academic Chief Resident. For the educational betterment of his colleagues, he spent numerous hours organizing the residency’s journal clubs, radiology rounds, cadaver labs, and more.

Whether they were surgical or nonsurgical, he joins Michigan Foot & Ankle Specialists after treating thousands of patients with foot and ankle conditions. He has extensive training in diabetic foot infections, limb salvage, foot/ankle trauma, sports medicine, adult and pediatric biomechanical deformities, arthritic joints, and more. Ali has a special interest in performing arthroscopic ankle procedures, Achilles tendon repairs, open reduction internal fixation of foot and ankle fractures, ligament repairs, foot/ankle reconstructions, bunions, hammertoes, radio frequency coblation for tendonitis and plantar fasciitis, and more.

Dr. Chami is an avid Detroit sports fan, enjoys the outdoors, and loves traveling with his wife and daughter.

Associate of American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AACFAS)

Pi Delta National Honor Society