Bone and Joint Health Action Plan - 3 Canadians Named to the International
Council BJD International Coordinating Council (ICC)

TORONTO, Nov. 29 /CNW/ - The Bone and Joint Decade, initiated 10 years ago, and endorsed by the World Health Organization and the United Nations, returned to its place of origins - Lund, Sweden - to inaugurate the next 10 years of work in raising the priority of Musculoskeletal Health and improving standards of care for all patients around the world.

In September 2010, Dr. James Waddell and Dr. Deborah Kopansky-Giles were named to the International Coordinating Council (ICC) of the Bone and Joint Decades and Mr. Tom Fullan was appointed to the Business Advisory Committee of the ICC in Lund, Sweden.  Dr.  Waddell, Professor, University of Toronto and President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, Dr. Kopansky-Giles, Professor, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and a clinician scientist at the St. Michael's Hospital and Mr. Fullan, International Ambassador, Bone and Joint Decade and President, Fullan Consulting, represent the second largest country contingent of the BJD international organization.

The Bone and Joint Decade was established in 2000 by the World Health organization and endorsed as a United Nations Initiative. In the first 10 years, the BJD's work in Canada has been led by Dr. James Waddell and Ms. Hazel Wood, Executive Director. With support from across the country, the Canadian National Action Network of the BJD has assisted the federal and provincial governments in addressing wait times for hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Waddell and his committee received global recognition from Bone and Joint Decade as did the government of Canada for their world leadership in this area. Dr. Lars Lidgren, President of the BJD (2000-2010) remarked "what an outstanding job Dr. Waddell and the Canadian team have done in this area". Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary of Health and MP Oshawa congratulated Dr. Waddell and the Canadian team for their achievements and said "the government of Canada is focused on maintaining the high standards in healthcare that all Canadians strive for."  Furthermore, the Canadian team has been involved in advancing bone and joint research and in the development of innovative educational programs on musculoskeletal disorders.

Today the Bone and Joint Decade begins a new 10 year phase with a vision of "Keeping People Moving". Dr. James Waddell, Dr. Deborah Kopansky-Giles and Mr. Tom Fullan will be providing a needed Canadian perspective to the ICC.  Locally, they will work with government, and a broad stakeholder community (including health professionals, businesses and patients) to move efforts forward on a Canadian collaborative initiative around musculoskeletal health.  BJD appreciates the support received from the Canadian and Provincial Governments and looks forward to continuing collaboration.

BJD information and programs are available at: http://www.bjdcanada.org/

For further information:

Please contact Ms. H. Wood Executive Director 1-888-323-6861 for more details.