Designation honors highest level of care for patients with osteoporosis 

University of Missouri Health Care is the only health care system in the state to receive the American Orthopaedic Association’s 2025 Own the Bone® Star Performer designation, an achievement reserved only for institutions that perform the highest level of fragility fracture and bone health care.

Osteoporosis affects more than 53 million Americans, yet most go undiagnosed and untreated until a fracture occurs. Fragility fractures impact nearly two million people each year, leading to loss of independence, higher mortality, and rising health care costs.

The Star Performer designation affirms MU Health Care has taken steps to ensure its osteoporotic fracture patients receive the treatment and care they deserve through participation in the Own the Bone® quality improvement program.

Own the Bone Star Performers are recognized for achieving at least 75% compliance with key prevention measures such as patient education, bone density testing, treatment discussions, and communication of care plans to patients and physicians.

“Through our participation in Own the Bone and recognition as an Own the Bone Star Performer, we’ve demonstrated a commitment to helping patients understand their risk for future fractures and the steps they can take to prevent them,” said David Freeze, an MU Health Care nurse practitioner specializing in orthopaedics. “Protecting bones starts with simple steps that include getting enough calcium and vitamin D, staying active with weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, and taking precautions at home to prevent falls.”

MU Health Care joins over 330 health care institutions nationwide that have participated in Own the Bone and taken initiative to ensure osteoporotic fracture patients receive the treatment and care they deserve. To understand your risk for fracture, you can take the MU Health Care Bone Health Assessment.

Contact: Eric Maze, mazee@health.missouri.edu, (573) 884-3656