HELPING NATURE RUN ITS COURSE
S T AN DR EW’ S NEWS | APR IL 2 0 1 6
FERTILITY SA AND ST ANDREW’S HOSPITAL -
When South Australia’s most experienced team of doctors first joined together to form Fertility SA, it made sense to partner with one of Australia’s premier private hospitals, St Andrew’s. In the eight years since, Fertility SA has grown from a small collaboration of experts who value excellence in medicine and offer genuine patient centred care to a team of over fifty doctors, nurses, embryologists and support staff with those same values still at the core. The passage of IVF from the first IVF baby born in Australia 36 years ago to now has been a fascinating one. From the early research years at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital to now, Fertility SA doctors are those who have actually lived the journey. Professor Rob Norman AO, with thirty years of experience, and Associate Professor Ossie Petrucco AM, with more than 40 years of experience, have been directly involved with all of the great innovations in IVF including the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and the research into the impact of lifestyle on fertility. This history of knowledge generation and clinically relevant innovation in reproductive medicine in South Australia is something to be very proud of, as is their continued revolution, commitment to advancement and continuing education. Fertility SA has strong ties with Robinson Research Institute, with two doctors in leadership roles at the Adelaide University’s premier research collective. The commitment of the entire specialist fertility team - Dr Alex Hubczenko, Associate Professor Louise Hull,
Rear (L to R): Dr Jodie Semmler, Dr Bruno Radesic, A/Prof Louise Hull. Front (L to R): Dr Sally Reid, Dr Alex Hubczenko, Dr Michelle Wellman, Professor Rob Norman
Dr Viki Nisenblat, Professor Rob Norman, Dr Bruno Radesic, Dr Sally Reid, Dr Jodie Semmler and Dr Michelle Wellman, to technological development to achieve best possible outcomes for patients is evident in Fertility SA’s reputation for excellence in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology. Fertility SA doctors are all experienced fertility experts, each being reproductive endocrinologists or specialist gynaecological surgeons. Drawing on the minds of some of the most qualified and knowledgeable fertility practitioners, not only in the state, but within Australia and even internationally, gives patients their very best chance at a healthy baby. Part of this commitment to best outcomes for patients includes the provision of state of the art facilities. Last year a state of the art Embryology Laboratory was completed with the future in mind, and this year plans have been unveiled for the new Day Surgery
Suite, which is of great excitement to Fertility SA and St Andrew’s Hospital. Although complications are uncommon with fertility procedures, having expert emergency support on hand offers the safest possible environment and reassurance to patients receiving treatment. Surgery is sometimes needed to investigate the causes of infertility or treat problems that are making it difficult to conceive. Having purpose built surgical suites also means that fertility specialists who are also leading gynaecological surgeons can treat patients for procedures such as laparoscopy, endometriosis treatment and fallopian tube surgery amongst other treatments, within the one hospital if desired. Conceiving a baby seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world–but for one in six couples this is not the case. This article has been provided by Fertility SA. For further information please phone Fertility SA on 8100 2900 or visit us at www.fertilitysa.com.au.
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