McMaster Fellowship
Learn more about the Metabolic Bone Disease fellowship program at McMaster University
Education
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Dr.Khan's Lectures
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Dr. Khan has been internationally recognized as a World Expert in Hyperparathyroidism
Aliya Khan is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Geriatrics, Director of the Calcium Disorders Clinic, and Director of the Fellowship in Metabolic Bone Disease at McMaster University. She graduated from the University of Ottawa Medical School with honors. She trained in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Endocrinology and completed a fellowship in Metabolic Bone Disease at the University of Toronto. She has published over 400 scientific papers and numerous chapters and books on osteoporosis and parathyroid disease. She led the development of global guidelines for parathyroid disease, osteonecrosis of the jaw, new diagnostic criteria for hypophosphatasia, treatment guidelines for X-linked hypophosphatemia in addition to osteoporosis guidelines.
She is the co-chair of the International Working Group developing best practice recommendations on bone mineral density reporting supported by 10 international imaging and skeletal health societies. She is a leading clinician researcher and is the principle investigator evaluating novel therapies for parathyroid disease including PTH , PTH analogues as well PTH1receptor agonists for hypoparathyroidism.
She has received numerous international awards for outstanding contributions to Medicine including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, International Osteoporosis Foundation award , Osteoporosis Canada Lindy Fraser award, Woman Physician of the Year Award by the American College of Physicians, Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism Dr. Jacques Genest Lecture Award. ORTOMED Medal from the Italian Society of Orthopedics and Medicine, King Charles Coronation medal and 2025 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Outstanding International Clinician award. She was awarded the FIRMO Parathyroid Medal at the Endocrine Society pre-meeting in 2025 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to advancing research in parathyroid disease. She is recognized as being in the top 0.1% of the world experts in hyperparathyroidism by Expertscape.
Dr. Aliya Khan
MD, FRCPC, FACP, FACE, FASBMR
FAQ
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a common condition affecting 1 out of every 4 women and 1 out of every 8 men. Osteoporosis affects the skeleton resulting in fragile bones, which may fracture with limited or no trauma. 1 in 5 people with hip fractures will die within a year of the fracture. 1 in 2 of those who do survive will require assistance with their day-to-day activities. As the population ages, it becomes increasingly important to diagnose and treat osteoporosis as early as possible.
How Is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?
Osteoporosis can be detected before a fracture occurs. This is made possible through bone density testing. These tests allow measurements of bone thickness and calcium content by simple x–ray based scans using negligible doses of radiation. We complete bone density tests as well as additional blood and urine tests to determine the presence, type and severity of osteoporosis, and all diagnostic tests are completed onsite. Bone biopsies may be necessary to determine the exact cause of osteoporosis in individuals not responding to treatment and those who continue to suffer from fractures despite effective therapy. Bone biopsies can also be helpful in determining the type of bone disease present in those individuals who have kidney disease. Bone biopsies for the Region of Halton are completed by Dr. Khan at Halton Healthcare Services.
Can Osteoporosis Be Treated?
Numerous treatment options exist for the effective management of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Dr. Khan and her team are extensively involved in advancing new treatment options for both the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. Patients may choose to participate in current research trials. Research trials enable patients to access new therapies before the general release of new treatment options.
What Roles Do Rehabilitation, Diet, and Exercise Play?
The Prevention and Rehabilitation of Osteoporosis (PRO) program, developed at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute by Dr. Chow, is an exercise program shown to safely and effectively improve bone density in patients with osteoporosis. Dietary and lifestyle changes also play an important part in the management of osteoporosis. We provide patients with onsite resources such as educational material, Bone Fit Program exercise instruction, and the services of a range of qualified paramedical professionals, to support ongoing rehabilitation and patient education.
Bone Research and Education Centre (BREC)
The BREC is a Centre of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Management of Metabolic Bone Disease, Calcium and Parathyroid Disorders. The goals and objectives of the BREC are:
1. To deliver state of the art clinical care to people with metabolic bone disease or calcium and parathyroid disorders.
2. Advance clinical research in understanding the mechanisms for disease development and development of new drug therapy
3. Disseminate knowledge providing physicians both generalists and specialists with the tools to diagnose and treat bone diseases and calcium disorders.
4. Provide an onsite multi-media learning center for patients and physician
The Center will provide clinical care with on-site diagnosis and management of complex metabolic bone diseases, calcium, and parathyroid diseases. Clinical research will focus on developing new therapies for osteoporosis, renal osteodystrophy, and parathyroid diseases. Bone biopsies will continue to be completed at Halton Healthcare Services. Bone Density studies will be completed on-site.