As we celebrate 60 years of life-changing impact, we’re reflecting on the IVF legacy born in South Australia.
Many people are unaware that Australia’s most pioneering work into IVF began in Adelaide at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
As we celebrate 60 years of life-changing impact, we’re reflecting on a legacy that’s changed countless lives — just like Maria’s. Many people are unaware that Australia’s most pioneering work into IVF began in Adelaide at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Thanks to groundbreaking IVF research developed right here at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) — supported by The Hospital Research Foundation Group (formerly The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Foundation) — South Australia became a pioneer in fertility treatment, not just nationally but on the world stage.
What began as a bold scientific venture at TQEH’s Reproductive Medicine Unit soon evolved into one of the most respected fertility programs globally.
This research led to one of the earliest IVF successes in Australia — and only the 6th worldwide — cementing the hospital’s role in reproductive medicine history.
The TQEH’s Reproductive Medicine Unit led the way in embryo incubation—now a global standard—and was the first in Australia to achieve fertilisation by injecting sperm directly into an egg. Perhaps the most transformative shift was the move from transferring multiple embryos to just one, improving safety while maintaining success.
The unit’s transition to The University of Adelaide (and commercial evolution to Repromed) continued to have life-changing impact for many South Australian families.
At the forefront of this transformation was Professor Rob Norman, whose leadership as Director of the Reproductive Medicine Unit (then Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Adelaide) was responsible for many innovations in fertility management. Innovations that helped families like Maria’s achieve what once seemed impossible.
Due to secondary infertility, Maria was unable to conceive without the assistance of IVF. Thanks to Professor Norman, who was responsible for the embryo transfer that resulted in a successful pregnancy with Lola, Maria and her husband were able to fulfil their dream of growing their family.
This is the power of medical research — and the power of your support.
You’ve brought us to where we are today: a place where science delivers hope, and where families like Maria’s get the chance to grow.
