Founding AOFAS Member Malcolm Brahms Dies at 103

Malcolm (Abromowitz) Brahms, M.D., a founding member of the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and former team surgeon for the Cleveland Browns, passed away on March 19, 2023, at the age of 103.

He was a well-respected orthopedic surgeon who stayed active in his field in one way or another until he was 95. Brahms served patients at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland and was a team surgeon for the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns for 15 years, from 1965 to 1980. During his tenure, he operated on many Hall of Fame football players, including Milton Morin and Paul Warfield.

After leaving the Cleveland Browns, he founded Brahms, Cohn and Leb Orthopedics in Beachwood, Ohio, which is still an active practice. He is also helped found the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society in 1969 with six other colleagues. After he retired from his practice, he became an expert witness for the government on medical disability cases until he was 95. Brahms earned his medical degree from Case-Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, Ohio.

Brahms grew up in Dayton Ohio and was a member of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, where he attended daily Minyan and weekly Sabbath services. He loved talking politics and medicine, but at the heart was a family man. He loved celebrating with family and friends, playing golf and watching sports. He also supported many charitable causes throughout his life.

Brahms was married to his wife, Evelyn, for 74 years before she died in 2018. He leaves behind his daughters, Lauren Resnik and Jan Brahms; grandchildren, Andrew Resnik, Jamie Wechter, Lisa Brahms and Steven Brahms; and his great-grandchildren, Cassidy and Cody Wechter, Max and Julia Resnik, Lilly, Emmett and Ida Terry and Oliver Brahms.

His three siblings and his wife’s two siblings preceded him in death.