The Advisory Committee overseeing the Alberta HIP study does not currently recommend routine testing for metal ion levels in patients who have had a metal-on-metal hip resurfacing. The committee advises metal-on-metal hip resurfacing patients to contact their orthopaedic surgeon if they are experiencing problems in their resurfaced hip.
Alberta HIP is a long-term study, begun in 2004, comparing the safety and effectiveness of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing with conventional total hip replacement. Currently, more than 1,000 Albertans are participating. They will be followed for 10 years from their surgery date.
The health significance of elevated metal ions in the blood has not yet been determined.
Cy Frank Awarded the Order of the University of Calgary
Cy Frank, ABJHI’s Chief Medical Advisor, was awarded The Order of The University of Calgary during convocation ceremonies for the faculties of medicine, veterinary medicine, and law on May 9. Dr. Frank received the award for his distinguished service to the university.
Cy has been a faculty member at the University of Calgary for almost 30 years. He has achieved national and international stature as a clinician-scientist and was named to the university’s 2002 Distinguished Alumni. Through his work with ABJHI and the university, he has had a wide-ranging impact on health care policy and delivery in Alberta.
Between 1984 and 1992, he helped develop the University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre and the McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research, and he played a pivotal role in founding Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute in 2004.
Dr. Frank has 255 peer-reviewed publications and 40 book chapters to his credit, and he has co-authored 429 abstracts locally, nationally and internationally. He has supervised more than 50 undergraduate summer students, 19 postdoctoral Fellows, 28 graduating Masters and PhD students, and been on the supervisory committees of 33 others.
Cy Frank Honoured at Special Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal Ceremony
Cy Frank and two other researchers from the McCaig Institute have been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for their outstanding contributions in the field of arthritis research.
The medals were awarded by The Arthritis Society in partnership with the McCaig Institute in a special ceremony on April 2, 2013, marking the achievements of Cy and McCaig colleagues Dianne Mosher and John Matyas.
Cy is ABJHI’s Chief Medical Advisor and McCaig Professor of Joint Injury and Arthritis Research. He is a leading researcher in ligament damage and its connection to osteoarthritis, and has helped lead the work to build The Arthritis Society’s research stabilization fund.
Wood Forum on Hip Osteoarthritis
Watch a mock hip replacement surgery. Participate in a highly informative discussion about osteoarthritis. Ask experts about your hip health.
It’s the second annual Wood Forum and it’s free and open to the public.
Sept. 19, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary.
Presenters: Dr. Jim Powell, Dr. Linda Woodhouse, Dr. Carolyn Anglin, Dr. Deborah Marshall.
Join the Walk to Fight Arthritis
Help raise funds for research and programs that benefit millions of Canadians living with arthritis. Join The Arthritis Society’s annual Walk to Fight Arthritis, an all-ages, family friendly event.
Register to Walk on Sunday, June 9, 2013.
Cy Frank Appointed Alberta’s First Health Council of Canada Representative
Dr. Cy Frank, ABJHI’s Chief Medical Advisor, has been appointed by the Alberta government as its representative on the Health Council of Canada. He is the province’s first representative on the council, which was formed to monitor and report on the progress of health care renewal in Canada.
“Dr. Frank’s credentials, international experience and reputation make him an excellent choice to represent Alberta and I believe he will provide tremendous insight into the work of the Council,” Fred Horne, Alberta’s Health Minister, said.
Dr. Frank’s appointment was effective Feb. 14, 2013.
“Having Dr. Frank at the table with his far-reaching experience and insight into Alberta’s system will undeniably enhance the Council’s ability to report on health care renewal within Canada,” said Dr. Jack Kitts, Chair of the Health Council of Canada. “As we continue to add new content to our Health Innovation Portal, we look forward to Dr. Frank’s ideas on innovative practices taking place right here in Alberta, across the country and internationally.”
As councillor, Dr. Frank will report on provincial health accords, identify best practices in policy and program delivery from the different health systems across the country, and inform Canadians about major health issues.
“There’s a lot of innovation in the health field taking place right here in Alberta and I look forward to sharing that with the Council,” Dr. Frank said.
The Health Council of Canada is led by 12 councillors appointed by participating provincial and territorial governments and the federal government as well as one ex-officio councillor.
Learn more about the Health Council of Canada.
http://www.healthcouncilcanada.ca/
Baby Boomers Looking to Right Public Health Care, Not Drain It
Should baby boomers be feeling guilty now that everyone else seems to have finally clued in to the developed world’s worst-kept secret: There are lots of us, we didn’t have enough children of our own to replenish the taxpayer base, and we didn’t contribute enough in taxes to cover our future health needs as increasingly frail citizens.
Read the latest commentary by Cy Frank, Executive Director of ABJHI, on public health care issues.
Published in the Toronto Star
Joint Action on Arthritis
The Arthritis Alliance of Canada has published its framework for improving arthritis prevention and care. The framework establishes research priorities and strategies, identifies principles to guide the design and delivery of care, suggests prevention strategies, and proposes a mechanism for the arthritis community to engage with governments and the broader healthcare community. Joint Action on Arthritis: A Framework to Improve Arthritis Prevention and Care in Canada.
