Today, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has awarded the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors (CSA) Medal of Achievement to Professor Thierry Thomas, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Head of the Department of Rheumatology at the University Hospital of Saint-Étienne, France. 

The Award was presented at the virtual World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, and Musculoskeletal Diseases (Virtual WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2022). 

The IOF CSA Medal of Achievement honours an individual researcher who has significantly advanced the field of osteoporosis through original and outstanding scientific contributions. It underlines important aspects of IOF’s mission – to increase understanding and awareness of osteoporosis and to promote medical innovation and improved care. 

Professor Nicholas Harvey, Chair of IOF CSA, stated: 

“We are delighted to present this prestigious award to Professor Thierry Thomas. As a leading osteoporosis expert and as a respected member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, in addition to his substantial research achievements, he has made tremendous contributions to healthcare professional education and training. He has worked to promote osteoporosis awareness both nationally and internationally, including through participation in IOF reports and outreach activities. We are also very honoured to count Professor Thomas as a member of the Capture the Fracture^® Steering Committee and are very grateful for his dedication to the development of the mentorship programme within this global initiative.” 

Thierry Thomas is Professor of Medicine and Head of the Department of Rheumatology at the University Hospital of Saint-Étienne, France, and a Member of the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) Unit 1059, the Integrative Biology of Bone Tissue Laboratory, University of Lyon, St-Etienne, France. In December 2021 he was elected for a four-year term as head of the Saint-Etienne University Hospital Establishment Medical Commission. Professor Thomas is President of the French Society of Rheumatology (SFR), serves as an active member of the IOF Committee of National Societies (CNS) representing the SFR, is a member of the IOF CSA Fracture Working Group, and of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) Scientific Advisory Board. As a member of the IOF Capture the Fracture^® (CTF) Steering Committee, and a leader in the development of the CTF mentorship programme for the implementation of Post-Fracture Care Coordination Programmes, he has made important contributions to advancing secondary fracture prevention internationally and at the national level. Professor Thomas has published numerous scientific papers in both international and French peer-reviewed journals. 

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About the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO)
Held jointly by IOF and ESCEO, the WCO-IOF-ESCEO annual congress is the world’s largest forum for the presentation of clinical research and new advances in the prevention and management of musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, and frailty. The WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2022 is held as a virtual Congress. For complete information visit https://virtual.wco-iof-esceo.org/

The WCO-IOF-ESCO 2023 is planned from May 4-7, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. 

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 as well as more than patient, medical and research organizations, work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a worldwide heath care priority. https://www.osteoporosis.foundation @iofbonehealth