We are a group of diagnostic centres in the Greater Toronto Area that provide diagnostic tests for osteoporosis, including bone density tests and other tests of bone strength and body composition.
The goals of the Centre are to:
- provide state of the art diagnostic assessment for osteoporosis, including bone densitometry and assessment of bone strength
- serve as a national and international leader in bone densitometry and assessment of bone strength
- serve as a local educational resource for radiologists, general practitioners, bone health specialists, and technologists
Our Team
The Centre of Excellence in Skeletal Health Assessment is the only one of its kind, nationally as well as internationally, bringing together radiologists and physicians caring for patients with osteoporosis. Our team consists of physicians, radiologists, bone density technologists, and booking specialists at Mount Sinai Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto General Hospital,
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Toronto Western Hospital.
Program Leadership
Executive Committee:
- Dr. Robert Bleakney, MD, FRCPC
-
Dr. Angela Cheung, MD, PhD, FRCPC, CCD
- Dr. Heather McDonald-Blumer, MD, MSc, FRCPC
-
Dr. Rowena Ridout, MD, FRCPC
- Kathy Hilario
Education and Professional Development
The Centre of Excellence in Skeletal Health Assessment runs an annual educational outreach program for all hospital staff at the various CESHA sites during Osteoporosis Month every November. We help participants assess their risk of osteoporosis and fractures, and also help them determine how to optimally maintain their bone health through changes in lifestyle and diet.
Our hallmark event is our annual Osteoporosis Outreach Education Evening geared for family physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals who are involved in the care of patients with osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases. We invite internationally renowned speakers and experts in the field of osteoporosis to share insights on the newest imaging technologies and the most updated osteoporosis guidelines. Also included are engaging case discussion sessions and talks that address the most controversial topics in osteoporosis medicine. The event aims to reduce the osteoporosis care gap by educating physicians and raising awareness of the serious consequences of osteoporosis and fractures.
We also partner with international organizations such as the International Society of Clinical Densitometry to provide educational courses and certification exams for technologists. In addition, we work closely with the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy to provide high standards for bone density testing. We are currently working on standardized electronic reporting for Ontario, as well as for the rest of Canada.
Research
Physicians and researchers at the Centre of Excellence in Skeletal Health Assessment work closely with a multidisciplinary team to conduct research to advance bone health.
Referrals
To make a referral for a BMD please complete the following
form in full.
