The Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO) proudly congratulates its esteemed members on their well-deserved recognition at the 2025 International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Annual Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony. Held in Boston, Massachusetts, from February 20–22, 2025, this prestigious event celebrated the contributions of leading experts in the field of skeletal health assessment. At the glittering award ceremony on February 21, 2025, ISCD President Dr Angela Man-Wei Cheung and ISCD Immediate Past President Dr Paul A. Anderson honoured outstanding individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on osteoporosis care and bone densitometry world wide.
APCO Chairperson Prof Manju Chandran, who received the Dr Oscar S. Gluck ISCD Humanitarian Award, which recognizes an ISCD member for exceptional contributions to alleviating human suffering, protecting life, serving the community, and promoting health in underserved populations. As the founding Chairperson of APCO, she has played an instrumental role in developing the first dual-continental set of clinical standards, ensuring best-practice care for underserved populations. Under her leadership, APCO developed the APCO Framework, which serves as a guiding standard for national osteoporosis guidelines in multiple countries, including those with low and middle incomes. Additionally, she spearheaded the creation of the APCO Collective Intellect Clinical Case Discussion Platform (CICCDP), a knowledge-sharing initiative that enables clinicians across Asia to exchange expertise on complex metabolic bone cases. As Chair of the Asia Panel of the ISCD, Board member, Council of Scientific Advisors Member and Acting Chair of the Regional Advisory Council of the International Osteoporosis Foundation and Member of the Bone Health Expert Group of the World Health Organization, she has been instrumental in shaping global policies and advancing osteoporosis management strategies at both regional and international levels. Her contributions extend beyond research and clinical care, as she has been a dedicated advocate for osteoporosis awareness, founding WISHBONE, Singapore General Hospital’s osteoporosis support group, and organizing annual public forums to enhance bone health literacy in Singapore.
Prof Chandran’s dedication to improving patient care is further exemplified by her work in establishing OPTIMAL (Osteoporosis and Patient Targeted and Integrated Management for Active Living), a Secondary Fracture Prevention and Fracture Liaison Service at Singapore General Hospital. This initiative became the third in the world and the first in the Asia Pacific region to win the Gold Star in the International Osteoporosis Foundation’s Capture the Fracture Global Map of Best Practice in 2015. Over the past two decades, she has single-handedly raised the standards of bone densitometry in Singapore, conducting numerous workshops on the subject, including specialized training sessions for medical trainees. Her research and clinical interests span the epidemiology and health economic burden of osteoporosis, rare bone disorders, secondary osteoporosis, metabolic bone diseases, diabetes and bone health, and parathyroid disorders. With over 200 publications, she has significantly influenced global osteoporosis research. Her tireless efforts in public education, policy advocacy, and clinical excellence have made an indelible mark on the field, making her a truly deserving recipient of this distinguished humanitarian award.
Assoc. Prof Nicholas Pocock, a Senior Staff Specialist in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, and an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, was also recognized for his significant advancements in the field. He was honoured with the Dr. Harry K. Genant ISCD Researcher of the Year Award, which is presented to an outstanding researcher for distinguished service to the field of densitometry in publication, education, or leadership. With over 145 publications, Assoc. Prof. Pocock has significantly advanced osteoporosis epidemiology and diagnostics. His research interests encompass diagnostic techniques for osteoporosis, the epidemiology of osteoporosis and its societal impact, and fracture prediction. He has contributed to studies on the role of dual femur bone density measurement in low-impact fractures and the precision of different quantitative ultrasound densitometers.
His work has been pivotal in integrating artificial intelligence into bone health assessments, enhancing diagnostic precision. Beyond his research contributions, he has played a crucial role in policy development and the establishment of densitometry standards. He has served on the Australian Federal Department of Health’s advisory committee on osteoporosis and the Federal Bone Densitometry Working Group, providing guidance on Medicare funding for DXA scans. His leadership extends to esteemed organizations such as the Australian and New Zealand Bone Mineral Society, the International Osteoporosis Foundation, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists’ Densitometry Advisory Committee, underscoring his influence and reputation as a leading researcher in the field. Through his leadership, he has influenced policy development and densitometry standards, reinforcing his reputation as a leading researcher in the field.
Prof Thomas V. Paul, an esteemed endocrinologist and Professor at Christian Medical College, Vellore, was recognized with the ISCD Clinician of the Year Award, which honours an outstanding clinician for distinguished service to the field of densitometry in publication, education, or leadership. His extensive body of work, comprising over 150 peer-reviewed publications and more than 200 studies, has played a crucial role in shaping osteoporosis management guidelines in India. His research on DXA applications—including Bone Mineral Density (BMD), Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), and Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA)—has expanded clinical knowledge and improved patient outcomes. His dedication to advancing osteoporosis care has positioned him as a key figure in the field, influencing both clinical practice and education. Additionally, his role as senior coordinator for major international trials, including the PEARL study and studies on Lasofoxifene, Odanacatib, and biosimilar Denosumab, has expanded treatment options globally.
Beyond research, Prof Paul is a dedicated educator and mentor, influencing the next generation of endocrinologists and bone health specialists. As a Professor of Endocrinology, he has contributed to leading medical textbooks and serves as a reviewer for esteemed journals such as Osteoporosis International and the Journal of Clinical Densitometry. His efforts in developing osteoporosis screening tools for resource-limited settings have improved musculoskeletal care in underserved populations in India. Recognized with numerous accolades, including the Teotia Oration and leadership roles in the Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Prof Paul’s dedication to bridging clinical practice with cutting-edge research makes him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
APCO extends its heartfelt congratulations to Prof Chandran, Assoc. Prof Pocock, and Prof Paul for their outstanding achievements and contributions to osteoporosis research, education, and clinical care. While only Prof Chandran and Assoc. Prof Pocock could attend the ceremony in person, the collective efforts of these three esteemed APCO members continue to make a lasting impact on the global osteoporosis landscape.
These prestigious recognitions underscore APCO’s commitment to improving bone health and ensuring that patients across the Asia-Pacific region receive the highest standard of care. We look forward to witnessing continued advancements in osteoporosis management, driven by the dedication and expertise of our members.
Congratulations once again to our exceptional APCO members!
