Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Center

The Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Center integrates clinical care and research under the leadership of Susan L. Greenspan, MD, a national leader in osteoporosis research and geriatric bone health. The Center is dedicated to advancing understanding of bone fragility and fracture prevention in older and frail adults through cutting-edge clinical research, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based patient care.

Research

The Center’s research program is supported by NIH-funded studies focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis and related metabolic bone disorders in aging populations. A skilled team of nurses, research assistants, a bone density technician, and administrative and regulatory staff supports these efforts.

The Center houses a Hologic Horizon X-ray Bone Densitometer with fan beam technology and an Instant Vertebral Assessment® program, offering state-of-the-art DXA-based analysis of bone mineral density and body composition. Advanced software allows for comprehensive scan analyses, including spine, hip, forearm, and trabecular bone score assessments, enabling precise measurement and monitoring across research protocols. The facility includes secure, continuously monitored sample storage infrastructure, with temperature-controlled freezers and medication storage to support ongoing studies.

A cornerstone of the Center’s research capacity is its Mobile Laboratory Unit, which expands access to frail or homebound participants in the community and in long-term care settings. The mobile unit is fully equipped with DXA scanning, vertebral assessment, actigraphy, ultrasound-based muscle evaluation, and facilities for phlebotomy and onsite sample processing. This innovative platform, developed in partnership with the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, extends research opportunities to populations traditionally underrepresented in clinical studies.

Clinical Care

The Center’s clinical program, based at the Benedum Clinic in Montefiore Hospital, includes three physicians and a nurse practitioner specializing in osteoporosis, low bone mass, and other metabolic bone diseases. Patients benefit from comprehensive diagnostic evaluations using a state-of-the-art Hologic Horizon densitometer, along with individualized treatment plans designed to improve bone health and reduce fracture risk.

Through its combined clinical and research missions, the Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Center serves as a leading national resource for advancing bone health and promoting independence among older adults.