Nurse Appointed by Governor to Marylands State Task Force for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis

Donna M. Landis, a registered nurse and decade forerunner in the field of bone health, has received appointment from Maryland State Governor Parris Glendening to the Maryland State Task Force for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Three-quarters of a million Marylanders are currently at risk for developing osteoporosis, a disease characterized by structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist.

Laurel, Md. (PRWEB) July 9, 2003 -- Donna M. Landis, RN CDT, of the Osteoporosis Diagnostic & Monitoring Center (ODMC), has been appointed to the Maryland Osteoporosis Prevention Education Task Force. The task force was created in response to a serious statewide health threat: an estimated three-quarters of a million Marylanders are suspected to have osteoporosis or low bone mass, a number which is expected to jump 20% in the next 7 years. Advanced bone loss destroys quality of life by causing fractures coupled with intense pain and immobilization. Dubbed the silent thief," osteoporosis has no discernable symptoms until a potentially life-threatening fracture occurs.

The task force is developing an action plan that will target Maryland youth in prevention and older populations in treatment of the disease. As there is no known cure for osteoporosis, men and women under age 30 will derive the most benefit in employing osteoporosis prevention practices. The task force is comprised of 16 healthcare professionals from a variety of targeted specialties including geriatrics, radiology, rheumatology and others concerned with bone health. The task force meets quarterly and the public is welcome. Their next meeting will be September 11, 2003 from 9:00-11:00am in the Office for Children, Youth and Families conference room - 15th Floor, 301 West Preston St. in Baltimore.

Landis career in bone health and public service began in 1985. She is a consultant on osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease for various pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, and is also the Clinical Director and owner of the ODMC. Landis was named Bone Densitometry Technologist of the Year in 1999 by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and was among "Who's Who in Healthcare" by the Baltimore Business Journal in 2001.

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