Our Expert Council
A Special Thanks to Our Expert Steering Committee and Advisors
The Health and Bone website was developed to provide a reliable source of education and information for Canadians interested in learning about osteoporosis and bone health. The content of this website has been approved and reviewed by SIGMA (Special Interest Group on Menopause and Aging), an independent, multidisciplinary group of family physicians and specialists dedicated to advancing women's health during and after menopause by providing women with comprehensive, up-to-date information. Visit the website at www.sigmamenopause.com. Many thanks to Dr. Chui Kin Yuen, Dr. Christine Derzko, Dr. Elaine Jolly, Dr. David Kendler, Dr. Brent Kvern and Dr. Marla Shapiro. Special thanks to Dr. Shapiro for contributing her expertise and authoring our Bone Matters column.
We would also like to thank Erin Billowits, Certified Older Fitness Expert and owner of Toronto's Vintage Fitness; Dr. Keri-Leigh Cassidy, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University; Margaret Martin, Registered Physiotherapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Nicole Shuckett, Registered Dietician.
SIGMA's Current Board of Directors
Dr. Elaine Jolly, OC, MD, FRCSC, Medical Director, Women's Health Program, The Ottawa Hospital President and Founder Ottawa, Ontario
Dr. Jolly has been a leader in the community and a dedicated advocate of Women's Health. As an educator, she has been recognized by the University of Ottawa, received the Faculty Award of Excellence, has given over 450 scholarly presentations to her peers and physicians at all levels, and was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada, in recognition of her achievements in women's health. She has an active clinical research program focusing on menopause issues, hormonal therapies, osteoporosis, uterine bleeding, and fibroids. She is also a strong advocate for the vital nursing role in patient care and strongly supports nursing research in women's health.
Dr. Chui Kin Yuen, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG, MBA Executive Director Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Chui Kin Yuen has completed a Canadian Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology (FRCSC) and is board certified (ABOG) with an American Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FACOG). He is also a certified clinical densitometrist (CCD). Dr. Yuen currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of Osteoporosis Canada and is a founding member and treasurer of Western Osteoporosis Alliance.
Dr. Christine Derzko, MD, FRCS(C) Vice-President Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Christine Derzko is a member of U of T's Bone and Mineral Group and of the Scientific Advisory Board of Osteoporosis Canada. Two of her major research interests include menopause and osteoporosis. She has been a member, author, co-chair, and senior editor of a number of Guidelines Development and Consensus Committees, including SOGC Canadian Consensus Conference on Menopause and Osteoporosis (1998 and 2001); Consensus Committee to Determine the Level of Evidence Required for Regulatory Approval of New Hormonal Therapies for the Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer in Canada (2003); and National Consensus Guidelines for the Obstetrical and Gynecological Management of Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders (2005).
Dr. David Kendler, MD, FRCP(C), ABIM Treasurer and Associate Executive Director Vancouver, British Columbia
Dr. David Kendler is the director of the Prohealth Clinical Research Centre and the Osteoporosis Program at Providence Health Care in Vancouver, British Columbia. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, is Medical Advisor to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada, and chairs the Western Osteoporosis Alliance. He is Past President of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Dr. Kendler has published and presented research on osteoporosis therapies, osteoporosis risk assessment technologies, and autoimmune thyroid disease.
Dr. Brent Kvern, MD, CFPC, FCFP Board Member at Large Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Kvern is a family physician with special interest in continuing medical education (CME). He is the past associate dean of CME at the University of Manitoba. He was instrumental in developing the "Quality Circle" project, a successful CME program in Osteoporosis in Canada.
Dr. Marla Shapiro, MDCM, CCFP, MHSc, FRCP(C), FCFP Secretary Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Shapiro is the recipient of the 2005 Media Award from the North American Menopause Society for her work in expanding the understanding of menopause, and won the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada/Canadian Foundation for Women's Health Award for Excellence in Women's Health Journalism in 2006 for her documentary "Run Your Own Race." She is a member of several advisory boards and stakeholder committees including Cancer Care Ontario and the newly formed Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Dr. Shapiro received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her lifelong commitment and dedication to family medicine
Dr. Elaine Jolly, OC, MD, FRCSC, Medical Director, Women's Health Program, The Ottawa Hospital President and Founder Ottawa, Ontario
Dr. Jolly has been a leader in the community and a dedicated advocate of Women's Health. As an educator, she has been recognized by the University of Ottawa, received the Faculty Award of Excellence, has given over 450 scholarly presentations to her peers and physicians at all levels, and was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada, in recognition of her achievements in women's health. She has an active clinical research program focusing on menopause issues, hormonal therapies, osteoporosis, uterine bleeding, and fibroids. She is also a strong advocate for the vital nursing role in patient care and strongly supports nursing research in women's health.
Dr. Chui Kin Yuen, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG, MBA Executive Director Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Chui Kin Yuen has completed a Canadian Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology (FRCSC) and is board certified (ABOG) with an American Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FACOG). He is also a certified clinical densitometrist (CCD). Dr. Yuen currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of Osteoporosis Canada and is a founding member and treasurer of Western Osteoporosis Alliance.
Dr. Christine Derzko, MD, FRCS(C) Vice-President Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Christine Derzko is a member of U of T's Bone and Mineral Group and of the Scientific Advisory Board of Osteoporosis Canada. Two of her major research interests include menopause and osteoporosis. She has been a member, author, co-chair, and senior editor of a number of Guidelines Development and Consensus Committees, including SOGC Canadian Consensus Conference on Menopause and Osteoporosis (1998 and 2001); Consensus Committee to Determine the Level of Evidence Required for Regulatory Approval of New Hormonal Therapies for the Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer in Canada (2003); and National Consensus Guidelines for the Obstetrical and Gynecological Management of Women with Inherited Bleeding Disorders (2005).
Dr. David Kendler, MD, FRCP(C), ABIM Treasurer and Associate Executive Director Vancouver, British Columbia
Dr. David Kendler is the director of the Prohealth Clinical Research Centre and the Osteoporosis Program at Providence Health Care in Vancouver, British Columbia. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, is Medical Advisor to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada, and chairs the Western Osteoporosis Alliance. He is Past President of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Dr. Kendler has published and presented research on osteoporosis therapies, osteoporosis risk assessment technologies, and autoimmune thyroid disease.
Dr. Brent Kvern, MD, CFPC, FCFP Board Member at Large Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Kvern is a family physician with special interest in continuing medical education (CME). He is the past associate dean of CME at the University of Manitoba. He was instrumental in developing the "Quality Circle" project, a successful CME program in Osteoporosis in Canada.
Dr. Marla Shapiro, MDCM, CCFP, MHSc, FRCP(C), FCFP Secretary Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Shapiro is the recipient of the 2005 Media Award from the North American Menopause Society for her work in expanding the understanding of menopause, and won the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada/Canadian Foundation for Women's Health Award for Excellence in Women's Health Journalism in 2006 for her documentary "Run Your Own Race." She is a member of several advisory boards and stakeholder committees including Cancer Care Ontario and the newly formed Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Dr. Shapiro received an Award of Excellence from the College of Family Physicians of Canada for her lifelong commitment and dedication to family medicine