About
Improving musculoskeletal health worldwide, together.
OUR VISION & MISSION
Our vision is for a world with better musculoskeletal health. Our mission is to work collaboratively across the field of MSK to support excellence in science and research, and improve the prevention and treatment of MSK conditions worldwide.
KEY ACTIVITIES
Driving global musculoskeletal research and practice
Through strategic partnerships, innovative tools, and global collaboration, IFMRS leads the advancement of musculoskeletal research and education worldwide.
Advancing Education and Training
The Herbert Fleisch Workshop is a 3-day residential workshop bringing together international investigators and young and mid-career MSK scientists. This model is executed in collaboration between IFMRS and individual IFMRS societies.
We also host joint educational virtual workshops with member societies on themes such as osteoporosis opportunistic imaging and tools for orthopaedic research.
Improving Access to Scientific Knowledge
The MSK Knowledge Portal, developed in partnership with the Harvard/MIT Broad Institute, captures and provides easy access and visualization of “big data” including MSK genetic and genomic information.
We actively and regularly promote educational content through our newsletter and social media channels, such as the International Hypophosphataemia Network.
Influencing Policymakers to Improve MSK Prioritization
IFMRS is working with the WHO’s Healthy Aging Team.
Our landmark Global Action Plan on Education in MSK Research provides recommendations for advancing MSK research education globally, developed with input from researchers in over 45 countries.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MSK RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions have a huge and well-documented impact on both population health and global health economies, as well as on the ability of people everywhere to remain healthy, independent, productive and mobile.
For the many millions of people living with MSK conditions around the world, this means living in often significant, sometimes chronic, and sometimes debilitating pain.
However, MSK conditions continue to be widely under-recognized and under-prioritized in national and international health strategies, health policies and funding schemes, relative to their cost and impact.
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Musculoskeletal Health Fact Sheet (2022), who.int
The IFMRS, together with its members and the World Health Organization, is leading efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment of MSK conditions as well as informing future MSK research priorities.
WHO WE ARE
IFMRS Board of Directors
The IFMRS is governed by the Board of Directors who meet quarterly and have responsibility for managing the strategic planning for the society. The Officers, comprising the Co-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer meet on a regular basis to ensure the effective day-to-day management of the society.
The IFMRS Council is the representative body, where every Full Member has one representative. The Council meets quarterly, discusses matters of shared interest to our members and provides guidance to the Board on strategic matters.
Co-Chair
Roland Baron, PhD, DDS
DS Harvard Medical School and School of Dental Medicine
Boston, MA USA
Co-Chair
Claus Glüer
Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel
Kiel, Germany
Secretary
Natalie Sims, BSc, PhD
St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research
Melbourne, Australia
Treasurer
Rob Blank, MD, PhD
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Darlinghurst, Australia
Gudrun Stenbeck
Brunel University of London
London, UK
Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch, MD
Medical University Graz
Graz, Austria
Claire Edwards, BSc, PhD
Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences
University of Oxford
Oxford, UK
Anna Spagnoli, MD
Rush University
Chicago, IL USA
Yuuki Imai, MD, PhD
Ehime University
Ehime, Japan
Staff
IFMRS is run by a team dedicated to advancing MSK health globally. They include:
Executive Director
David Lee (dlee@ifmrs.org)
Chief Operating Officer
Hannah Roddis (hroddis@ifmrs.org)
Digital & Communications Lead
Julianna Bolivar
Communications Coordinator
Ishanah Steele
IFMRS COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS
IFMRS resources are developed and managed by our committees.
IFMRS Committees are made up of global experts in their fields to advance MSK research and deliver resources, education and training activities.
Future Global Leaders
We provide leadership opportunities and raise awareness of early to mid-career researcher (EMCR) initiatives within the international musculoskeletal research community.
Rare MSK Diseases Working Group
We provide overall leadership for the IFMRS Rare MSK Diseases workstream. We focus on the challenges presented by the transition between pediatric and adult care, particularly as relating to research.
Big Data
We support the advancement of knowledge of MSK conditions by facilitating the sharing, aggregation, interpretation and dissemination of data relating to basic, translational and clinical MSK datasets.
International Education
We advance education in the MSK field worldwide through the sharing of resources, awareness-raising and educational initiatives, with a particular focus on low and middle-income countries (LMICs).