Johns Hopkins Metabolic Bone Center Introduced at Johns Hopkins Bayview

November 12, 2008

Center Will Work to Treat and Prevent Skeletal Disorders and Bone Fractures; Deborah Sellmeyer, M.D., Appointed Medical Director

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center today announced the creation of the Johns Hopkins Metabolic Bone Center, a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to the prevention and treatment of skeletal disorders and fractures. The Metabolic Bone Center team includes endocrinologists, geriatricians, orthopaedists, dieticians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians. It will be led by Deborah Sellmeyer, M.D. as medical director.

This new center focuses on metabolic bone diseases, which are disorders of bone strength, commonly caused by abnormalities of minerals (such as calcium or phosphorus), vitamin D, bone mass or bone structure, and the most common of which is osteoporosis.

The Johns Hopkins Metabolic Bone Center brings together the latest in research, technology and patient care to create the best results for each patient. Its experts treat osteoporosis in men and women, fragility and recurrent fractures, vitamin D deficiency, Paget’s disease and other skeletal disorders. It offers services designed to prevent, diagnose and treat skeletal disorders.

Patients can benefit from services such as:

• Comprehensive osteoporosis assessments and individualized treatment regimens
• On-site DXA bone density scanning
• Nutrition assessments
• Balance and strength training
• Tailored physical activity program development
• Fall risk evaluation and prevention
• Fracture rehabilitation

"The Johns Hopkins Metabolic Bone Center is an important addition to Johns Hopkins Medicine and to the greater Baltimore community," said Suzanne Jan de Beur, M.D., Director of Endocrinology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. "The combined expertises of the physicians involved in the center make it a unique place for patients to learn about bone disorders, take steps to prevent them and receive personalized treatment. The Metabolic Bone Center embodies the mission of Johns Hopkins by setting the standard for medical education, research and patient-centered care."

Deborah Sellmeyer, M.D., was appointed medical director of the Johns Hopkins Metabolic Bone Center. Dr. Sellmeyer was previously director of the University of California, San Francisco/Mt. Zion Osteoporosis Center.

Dr. Sellmeyer earned an M.D. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of California, San Francisco. Board-certified in both internal medicine, and endocrinology and metabolism, Dr. Sellmeyer is an internationally recognized expert in osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases. Currently, she is conducting research on the role of nutrition and environmental factors in bone health.

To contact the Johns Hopkins Metabolic Bone Center, please call 410-550-BONE (2663).