John F. Assini, MD, has been in private practice concentrating on rheumatology and osteoporosis at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital since 1979. He has been chief of the hospital's Department of Rheumatology since 1987 and medical director of the bone health center at Sunnyview since its inception. Dr. Assini earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College, where he also completed his internship and residency. He did a fellowship in rheumatolgy at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado. A licensed physician in New York State, he holds board certification in rheumatolgy and is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a clinical densitometrist, certified to complete bone density testing and analyses. He is currently clinical assistant professor in medicine at Albany Medical College. Additionally, he serves as attending physician in medicine and rheumatolgy at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, hold courtesy appointments in rheumatolgy at St. Clare's and Bellevue Hospitals, both in Schenectady. Dr. Assini is medical director of the osteoporosis screening and prevention center at Bellevue Hospital in Schenectady, where he is also a consulting physician in rheumatolgy. Dr. Assini is a member of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology, a member of Medical Society of the State of New York, the Schenectady County Medical Society, the National Osteoporosis Society, and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Dr. Assini has authored or co-authored several papers that have appeared in such journals as Current Therapy and The Journal of Rheumatology. Additionally, he has served as principal investigator on many major research projects involving extensive clinical trials and testing the effectiveness of drugs in treating osteoporosis, the impact of arthritis and anti-imflammatory drugs on stomach and digestive problems, and the effects of hormone replacement therapy on post-menopausal women.