Today, during the IOF-ESCEO World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Milan, Italy, Dr Manju Chandran, Senior Endocrinologist and Director of the Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Unit at Singapore General Hospital, was awarded the IOF Committee of National Societies (CNS) Medal.
The CNS Medal recognizes an individual who has made an important contribution to the cause of osteoporosis prevention through active participation in CNS activities and by expanding IOF's messages and outreach in his/her country. The CNS, comprising 230 patient and medical societies worldwide, is IOF's core membership committee. Its membership represents the world's largest single network of national and regional organizations dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and musculoskeletal disorders.
Professor Jean-Yves Reginster, Chair of the CNS and IOF Board member, stated, "In addition to her active participation in IOF's CNS, Dr. Chandran has - with enthusiasm, dedication and vision - made a substantial impact on patient care and health professional education in Singapore. We are delighted to recognize these outstanding achievements through the presentation of this prestigious CNS Medal."
As Director of the Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Unit at Singapore General Hospital - the largest public hospital in the country - Dr Chandran runs the only unit devoted exclusively to osteoporosis and related disorders in Singapore.
Dr Chandran has worked to improve osteoporosis management and secondary fracture prevention in Singapore in many ways. She played a key role in the development of the FRAX® model (WHO Risk Assessment Tool) for Singapore. Her unit at the Singapore General Hospital, under the auspices of the Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Singapore (EMSS), has been organizing and conducting nationally attended annual Public Forums in Osteoporosis as well as symposia and workshops for health care professionals regularly since 2007. Dr Chandran has also championed the establishment of WISHBONE, the Singapore General Hospital support group for osteoporosis in 2008 and actively promotes secondary fracture prevention in Singapore through her work as the Clinician Champion for the fracture Liaison Service-OPTIMAL.
From an advocacy perspective, Dr Chandran has supported IOF efforts to bring osteoporosis to the attention of health authorities. She was the key contributor from Singapore to the IOF 2013 Asia Pacific Audit. She has also helped to focus significant media attention on osteoporosis and fragility fractures in Singapore.
As an elected member of IOF's Committee of Scientific Advisors, Dr Chandran is actively involved in bone research, having published numerous articles in the field of bone metabolism. Her work on pharmaco-compliance to osteoporosis medications won the IOF-ECCEO Young Investigator award in 2013.
IOF CEO Judy Stenmark remarked, "Manju Chandran was instrumental in bringing the EMSS into the Committee of National Societies of the IOF seven years ago. She organized the first ever IOF Course in Bone Densitometry in Singapore in 2009 and, in 2014, the first IOF-ISCD Osteoporosis Essentials Course to be held in Singapore. We are also grateful for her involvement in the 1st IOF Asia Pacific Regionals in 2010."
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About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including committees of scientific researchers, leading companies, as well as more than 200 patient, medical and research societies, work together to make bone, joint and muscle health a worldwide heath care priority. http://www.iofbonehealth.org / http://www.facebook.com/iofbonehealth / https://twitter.com/iofbonehealth
About the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases
Held jointly by IOF and ESCEO, the Congress is taking place in Milan, Italy from March 26-29, 2015. It is the world's largest annual forum for the presentation of clinical research and new advances in the prevention and management of bone, muscle and joint disorders. The next Congress will be held in Malaga, Spain from April 14-17, 2016. For complete information visit http://www.wco-iof-esceo.org #OsteoCongress
Media contact
Charanjit K. Jagait, PhD
Communications Director, International Osteoporosis Foundation
Tel.: +41 22 994 01 02 * Mob.: +41 79 874 52 08
Email: cjagait@iofbonehealth.org