Photo Source: Matilda Wormwood
Professor Cindy Farquhar and her team of researchers were presented with the Beaven Medal by the Health Research Council on 21 November 2024, recognising over 30 years of groundbreaking work in fertility and gynaecology.
The award, given during the Royal Society Te Apārangi Research Honours at Auckland Museum, celebrates their lasting influence on medical practices in New Zealand and beyond.
Professor Cindy Farquhar emphasises that, for many women, the likelihood of conceiving through an IVF cycle is lower than the chance of not becoming pregnant.
Celebrating Excellence in Health Research
The Beaven Medal honours Professor Cindy Farquhar’s transformative role in connecting scientific research to better patient outcomes. Her leadership in shaping international fertility guidelines has made a lasting impact on patient care, especially in expanding access to treatments.
As Medical Director of Fertility Plus and Deputy Chair of the WHO Fertility Guidelines, Farquhar has led groundbreaking studies that challenge entrenched medical practices, championing data-driven, patient-centred solutions.
“We have a responsibility to provide people seeking fertility treatments with robust scientific evidence so that they don’t go down the path of trying every unproven add-on,” says Professor Cindy Farquhar.
Pioneering Research Achievements
The team’s achievements include critical insights that have revolutionised fertility treatment:
- Disproving “Endometrial Scratching”: A widely promoted procedure was proven ineffective, saving patients from unnecessary interventions.
- Advancing Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Renewed interest in this less invasive alternative to IVF has expanded treatment options for couples.
- Improving Ectopic Pregnancy Care: Methotrexate treatments have reduced the need for surgical interventions, offering safer options for patients.
- Reducing Hysterectomy Rates: Their menstrual health research has introduced guidelines to avoid unnecessary surgeries in New Zealand.
A Global Shift in Fertility Practices
Professor Cindy Farquhar’s impact on fertility care stretches across continents, from Europe to Australia and beyond. By championing the use of rigorous clinical trials, her team has been instrumental in shifting the focus toward evidence-backed treatments.
Their advocacy for intrauterine insemination (IUI) has provided an alternative to IVF, improving both the cost and accessibility of fertility treatments worldwide.