Professor Nicholas Harvey has been named as the new president of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
The IOF is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases.
Professor Harvey has years of experience at the forefront of osteoporosis research. He takes over the role from Southampton’s Professor Cyrus Cooper, who has been IOF President since 2017.
‘Honor and privilege’
Professor Harvey is the Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre. He is Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Southampton. He is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.
He has published more than 400 research papers. He is an Associate Editor of Osteoporosis International. He also serves on the editorial boards of other leading scientific journals in the field.
Professor Harvey’s achievements have been recognised through numerous international awards. The most recent of these are the IOF Olof Johnell Science Prize, ORTOMED Medal and IOF CSA Medal of Achievement.
Professor Harvey said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be afforded the opportunity to serve our global community as President of the International Osteoporosis Foundation.
“I look forward with eager anticipation to working with the IOF’s global community of dedicated individuals and organisations in our shared mission to advance musculoskeletal health and fracture prevention for patients and populations.
“It is a particular pleasure and privilege to follow in the footsteps of Professor Cyrus Cooper, a preeminent figure in our field, and a long-time mentor, colleague and friend. His enormous contributions to both the IOF and the wider field represent a wonderful legacy, and I know that the entire IOF family shares my heartfelt gratitude."
Enduring legacy
The IOF network involves committees of scientific researchers. It has over 330 patient and medical organisations, universities and fracture liaison services. Together, they work to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global healthcare priority.
Professor Harvey’s election to the role of IOF President was approved by the newly elected IOF Board for the term 2024-2028. This convened before this year's World Congress of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases.
The Board has four members from each of the six world regions. This reflects the IOF’s global vision and commitment to equitable representation. It also approved the appointment of Professor René Rizzoli as IOF Treasurer, and Professor Jean-Yves Reginster as IOF General Secretary.
IOF CEO Dr Philippe Halbout welcomed the new IOF President. He also thanked Professor Cooper for his service at the helm of IOF over the past seven years.
He said: “I very much look forward to working with Professor Harvey as we embark on a journey to grow and strengthen the global osteoporosis field. At the same time, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Cyrus Cooper. It has been an honour and immense privilege to work with him in advancing the IOF vision and missions. His legacy will endure indefinitely.”
Professor Cooper said: “I could not be more pleased with this outcome. Professor Harvey’s long-standing dedication to the Foundation, his skill and experience as former Chair of the Committee of Scientific Advisors and his world-class contributions to the field of osteoporosis make him the perfect choice to lead IOF into the future. It is wonderful to know that I am leaving the Presidency in such capable hands as the Foundation progresses its mission worldwide.”