Ian Johnston
Encyclopedia
Ian Johnston was one of the true pioneers of reproductive medicine in Australia
. He was a primary contributor to the development of human IVF (In vitro fertilisation
) in Melbourne, Australia. He was the Head of the Reproductive Biology Unit at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne
and was the founding President and Honorary Life Member of The Fertility Society of Australia
. Ian was known as the 'founding father of IVF in Australia
'
One of his greatest moments was the announcement of the first Australian IVF pregnancy
and the third of such pregnancies in the world. The birth of the first
Australian IVF baby, Candice Reed on 23 June 1980 was a moment of great national pride. (Note: The world's fourth IVF baby was also born at the Royal Women's Hospital.)
On 26 January 2001, Ian was awarded with Member of the Order of Australia
for service to medicine
. He lost his struggle with laryngeal cancer a few months later.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He was a primary contributor to the development of human IVF (In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed...
) in Melbourne, Australia. He was the Head of the Reproductive Biology Unit at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne
Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne
The Royal Women's Hospital, located in the Melbourne suburb of Parkville, is Australia's largest specialist women's hospital, offering a full range of services in maternity, gynaecology, neonatal care and women's health. It also offers complementary services such as social work, physiotherapy and...
and was the founding President and Honorary Life Member of The Fertility Society of Australia
The Fertility Society of Australia
The Fertility Society of Australia is a body representing scientists, doctors, researchers, nurses, consumer groups, patients and counsellors in reproductive medicine in Australia and New Zealand.Founding President and Honorary Life Member : Ian Johnston...
. Ian was known as the 'founding father of IVF in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
'
One of his greatest moments was the announcement of the first Australian IVF pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
and the third of such pregnancies in the world. The birth of the first
Australian IVF baby, Candice Reed on 23 June 1980 was a moment of great national pride. (Note: The world's fourth IVF baby was also born at the Royal Women's Hospital.)
On 26 January 2001, Ian was awarded with Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for service to medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. He lost his struggle with laryngeal cancer a few months later.
Quotes
- "His footprints are all over the pioneering technologies of IVF" – Alan Trounson, RBM Online, 2001
- "It's [IVF] part of my life. I wouldn't be here without it" - Candice Reed, The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
, 1 December 2005.
Education
- Scotch College, MelbourneScotch College, MelbourneScotch College, Melbourne is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for boys, located in Hawthorn, an inner-eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
- University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, graduating in medicine in 1954. - Master of GynaecologyGynaecologyGynaecology or gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system . Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women"...
& ObstetricsObstetricsObstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
, University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, 1964.
Awards
- Founding President and Honorary Life Member of The Fertility Society of AustraliaThe Fertility Society of AustraliaThe Fertility Society of Australia is a body representing scientists, doctors, researchers, nurses, consumer groups, patients and counsellors in reproductive medicine in Australia and New Zealand.Founding President and Honorary Life Member : Ian Johnston...
- Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(2001). For service to medicine, particularly in the areas of infertility and reproductive biology, through the development of treatment techniques, pioneering the use of laparoscopy as a diagnostic tool, and the establishment of support and counselling services for patients and their families. - Royal Australian and New Zealand Collegeof Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 2001 Honour Board
Sources
- Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Volume 2, Number 3, May 2001, pp. 215–215(1). Author: Alan Trounson. Publisher: Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. http://www.ingentaconnect.com
- The Fertility Society of Australia. http://www.fsa.au.com
- Discovery Newsletter, (a publication of the royal women's hospital division of research & education), June 2001. http://www.rwh.org.au