history

There was a remarkable surge in the interest regarding evaluation and management of osteoporosis starting in 1995.  Founding members recognized that there was a need for an institution to provide physicians in private practice and academia up - to- date scientific information, facilitate exchange of ideas, and develop networking in metabolic bone diseases and osteoporosis.  Dr. Ali Safa entertained the idea and collaborated with friends Drs. Paul Rochmis, Michael Bolognese and William Duncan who also had major role in establishment and management of the club. Eventually the new organization was incorporated under the name of Washington Bone Club Foundation, Inc in February 1997.  The Foundation was registered with the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia and certification of incorporation was issued on February 28, 1997.   The initial members of the board of directors of this Club were as follows and incorporated into the articles of incorporation of the Washington Bone Club Foundation, Inc. 

Michael Bolognese, M.D. (Gaithersburg, Maryland)

William Duncan, M.D. (Walter-Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.)

Phillip Kemp, M.D. (Arlington, Virginia)

Donna Landus, RN (Laurel, Maryland)

Howard Levine, M.D. (Bethesda, Maryland)

Paul Rochmis, M.D. (Fairfax, Virginia)

Ali M. Safa, M.D. (Vienna, Virginia)

James Simon, M.D. (Washington, D.C.)

Vicky Starr, M.D. (Washington, D.C.)

In order to make this organization widely applicable and effective in the Washington Metropolitan area including the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia, an invitation was sent to several hundred physicians within 50 miles of Washington, D.C. to explore who would be interested in joining the club. We were searching for physicians and scientists who have demonstrated interest in osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. Within a short period of time, the number of the members of the Bone Club reached 46 members, participating in the activities of the Club.  

The purpose of establishment of the organization was as follows:

A.  To advance the knowledge and experience of its members who have a primary interest in metabolic bone diseases and related disorders

B.  To strive to provide a forum for learning, exchange and dissemination of information and ideas

C.  To foster education and improve public awareness and standards of care in the communities served

D.  To increase the professional knowledge and skills of the medical community, specifically primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of metabolic bone disorders with specific emphasis on osteoporosis

E.  To engage in any other lawful activity consistence with the above purposes

Over time, with the help of the members and election of interested and knowledgeable chairmen and board of directors, the Washington Bone Club grew to be one of the largest bone clubs in the country and obviously over the past several years, it has played a major role in fulfilling its purposes. Direct support and educational grants from different pharmaceutical companies have certainly assisted the Washington Bone Club Foundation to develop scientific and educational programs.

The following individuals have served as chairman/chairwoman of the Washington Bone Club since its foundation:

1.  Ali M. Safa, M.D.

2.  Michael Bolognese, M.D.

3.  William Duncan, M.D.

4.  Paul Rochmis, M.D.

5.  Laura Tosi, M.D.

6.  Julia Barsony, M.D. 2009 - present

It is our hope that this organization will continue to strive and attract the younger generation of physicians and scientists to expand on the activities in accomplishing the purposes of the Washington Bone Club. This will help us to continue to expand the scientific and educational aspects of the metabolic bone diseases and osteoporosis as well as benefit the patients.  

Ali M. Safa, M.D., FACP, FACE, CCD

 March 11, 2011