News Release

IOF Medal of Achievement awarded to professor Rene Rizzoli

Annual award honors researcher who has advanced knowledge of osteoporosis through original and outstanding scientific contributions

Grant and Award Announcement

International Osteoporosis Foundation

Today, at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Professor René Rizzoli of the University Hospital of Geneva was awarded the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Medal of Achievement.

The IOF Medal of Achievement is presented annually by IOF to honour an individual researcher who has significantly advanced the field of osteoporosis through his original and outstanding scientific contributions. The award underlines important aspects of IOF's mission – to increase understanding and awareness of osteoporosis and to promote medical innovation and improved care.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, Chair of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors, stated, "I have had the privilege of collaborating with René Rizzoli for more than 15 years and am delighted to present this award today. René Rizzoli is highly regarded not only for his outstanding research in the field of metabolic bone disease, but also for his international commitment to bone health education and advocacy. Through his dedicated work on behalf of IOF, the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) and of the Swiss Association Against Osteoporosis, René has contributed substantially to the understanding of bone disease among health professionals, the public and patients."

René Rizzoli is Professor of Medicine at University Hospitals of Geneva and Head of the Service of Bone Diseases at the Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, of which he is also the Chairman. He is Scientific Advisory Board Chair of ESCEO, a member of the IOF Executive Committee, and former President of the Swiss Association Against Osteoporosis. During his distinguished career Professor Rizzoli has led basic and clinical investigations into hormone action, calcium, bisphosphonates, selective estrogen modulators and strontium ranelate in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. He is the author of more than 600 publications, is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of 'Calcified Tissue International', and Associate Editor of 'Bone' and 'Osteoporosis International'.

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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; http://twitter.com/iofbonehealth

Information about the IOF-ESCEO World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthitis and Musculoskeletal Diseases is available at http://www.wco-iof-esceo.org

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


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