 |
|
|
Introduction History Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital share a long tradition of excellence in musculoskeletal research and patient care. The Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases was established in 1975 by the foresight and pioneering work of the late Dr. Louis V. Avioli, one of the founding fathers of the field of metabolic bone diseases. He was recognized as an international authority on osteoporosis and calcium metabolism. His primary research focused on the causes of bone loss in postmenopausal women and the elderly and helped to clarify the role of vitamin D in regulating calcium metabolism. In addition to his responsibilities as an investigator, teacher, and physician, he founded the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in 1979 so that the premier international scientists in the field could share their bench and clinical findings, working toward a common goal of improving bone health. He was also responsible for establishing the journal Calcified Tissue International in concert with the Society. The effect of his leadership continues today with the ongoing investigation of bone cell structure and function and cell-to-cell communication in addition to the ongoing efforts to determine the efficacy of preventives and treatments for osteoporosis. The division has enjoyed a successful history of academic achievements and is internationally acclaimed as a premier training center for the physician-scientists interested in the diseases of the skeletal system. In addition to the United States, fellows from Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, England, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Israel, Egypt, South Africa, and India have been trained in the research laboratories and clinical practice of bone disease. The division is especially honored by the notable fact that each of the three senior faculty-Drs. Roberto Civitelli, Dwight A. Towler, and Michael P. Whyte-have been recipients of the Fuller-Albright Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, the most distinguished recognition for a physician-scientist in the field of bone and mineral diseases.ineral diseases.  The Division is currently under the direction of Dr. Dwight A. Towler who accepted the position in January 2001. Under his leadership, the Division has continued its history of contributing outstanding research to the field of bone and mineral diseases. 
Mission The Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases shares its mission with the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Musculoskeletal Research Center: working for research excellence in skeletal biology relevant to human health and healthcare. This mission fosters interactions between faculty members in Internal Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Pathology, Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Pediatrics, and Radiology who share their expertise in skeletal biology and work together to facilitate the translation of basic science into clinical practice. The goal is to continue to be at the forefront of bone biology research, providing a national training resource for the next generation of physician-scientists dedicated to improving skeletal health. Teaching Consistent with its mission, the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases continues to offer in-depth training for both physicians and basic scientists interested in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of skeletal disorders. The foundation of its training program rests with the NIH-sponsored Training Grant T32, now in its 30th year of continuous funding. Since its inception in 1975, this program has supported the training of 232 individuals. Of the 110 trainees entering the program in the last ten years, 85% are pursuing academic careers or are full-time employees of industrial and biotechnical companies. Many of the current leaders in the field of metabolic bone disease were trained in this program. For medical students interested in bone health management, a fourth-year elective rotation is available under the guidance of Dr. Michael P. Whyte. The Bone Health Clinic rotation is also open to the MD trainees of Dr. Oksana Volshteyn in the WU Rehabilitation Institute. Working with clinicians from Internal Medicine, Pathology, and Pediatrics, Dr. Reina Villareal is responsible for the monthly CME Bone Biology Clinical Case Conferences where cases are presented by the students and evaluated by the faculty. Drs. Dwight Towler, Roberto Civitelli, and Fanxin Long currently are mentoring graduate students from the MD-PhD and PhD university programs in their research laboratories. Additionally, the BMD faculty is tutoring a group of international post doctoral research associates.
Division of Bone & Mineral Diseases
|
