Jari Dahmen did not necessarily set out to become a doctor in the first place. As a teenager, following in the footsteps of his father who is also a physician, would have been the logical route. However, he chose to study at Amsterdam University College and discovered along the way that orthopedic surgery and research were his calling.
During his time at Amsterdam University College, Jari entered the world of research. For his bachelor’s thesis, he studied cartilage damage of the ankle under the guidance of Professor Kerkhoffs—a topic that would later become the focus of his PhD. Even after defending his PhD thesis on October 31, 2025, research remains a central pillar of Jari’s work. Throughout his academic journey, he has been closely guided by Professor Kerkhoffs, who has served not only as his mentor, but also as his PhD supervisor. Alongside his clinical career, Jari continues to dedicate structured time to research. In March, he will begin his surgical training while maintaining one day a week for research through the support of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Although this extended pathway means his training will take longer, it is a trade-off he embraces without hesitation.
Jari strongly believes in the value of practical, patient-centered research—and in the power of teamwork - the Amsterdam Ankle Cartilage Team, a multidisciplinary group of orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, radiologists, psychologists, researchers and many more specialists. By working closely together, they are able to combine different perspectives and expertise, creating insights that would be impossible to achieve alone. For Jari, being a team player is essential: collaboration not only drives better science but also ensures that patient care is informed by multiple voices and experiences.
Too often, research is primarily driven by the pursuit of high-impact publications. But does this always translate into meaningful real-world impact? Many scientific papers are mainly read by fellow researchers, while the very people who stand to benefit most—patients—are frequently left out of the conversation. For this reason, Jari has deliberately focused much of his research on direct patient involvement. By listening carefully to patients and taking their questions seriously, he encountered research questions he might never have considered otherwise. While he could not initially answer all of their concerns, integrating these questions into his research ultimately allowed him to do so. In the end, isn’t that the shared goal of both patient and researcher? This approach not only helps patients feel heard, but also enables clinicians to provide clearer and more realistic expectations about the recovery process.
In addition, Jari actively collaborates with physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, recognizing that they often encounter patients earlier than orthopedic surgeons do. By equipping these professionals with the right knowledge and tools, problems can be identified at an earlier stage—and in some cases, even prevented altogether. As a result, prevention and lifestyle are becoming increasingly important themes within his orthopedic practice and research.
After completing his orthopedic training, Jari aims to return to foot and ankle-focused care, bringing together his clinical expertise, research experience, and the collaborative approach of the multidisciplinary team to help shape better, more patient-centered treatments for the future.