Tō mātou Rōpu
Our Team
PROFESSOR CINDY FARQUHAR | MEDICAL DIRECTOR
MB ChB, MRCOG, FRANZCOG, MD
Professor Farquhar is the Postgraduate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Auckland.
Her clinical interests include polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic pain, endometriosis, infertility and the management of abnormal uterine bleeding. Her research interests include clinical trials within subfertility and menstrual disorders, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines, quality improvement, and mortality review.
She is the coordinating editor of the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group, which was established in 1996, co-director of the New Zealand Cochrane Branch of the Australasian Cochrane Centre, and member of the Cochrane Oversight Committee since 2010.
She is a past board member and chairman of the New Zealand Guidelines Group (2001-2009), life-long member of the New Zealand Guidelines, past Chair of the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, Chair of the Pandemic Influenza Mortality Review Working Group, member and past Chairman of the Alliance Leadership Team of GAIHN (Greater Auckland Integrated Health Network) and past member of the Quality Improvement Committee of the MOH.
She was a Harkness Fellow of the Commonwealth Fund of New York at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 2000 and has authored over 160 peer reviewed articles and edited two books and many chapters.
JEANETTE MACKENZIE | SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR
MCE Bsc (Hons)
Jeanette is a graduate of the University of Otago in Dunedin where she completed her research project looking at the effect of plant oestrogens on male fertility. Jeanette then completed the Masters in Clinical Embryology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Jeanette has been working in the human IVF field for over 17 years. Jeanette started her career as an Embryologist within a private clinic in New Zealand and worked across all aspects of clinical laboratory work prior to moving to the UK. Jeanette spent ten years in the United Kingdom working as a Laboratory Manager and Quality Lead for The London Women’s Clinic. During this time she implemented embryo and egg vitrification and embryo biopsy for pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos. Amongst other achievements she introduced improved quality systems into the laboratory including electronic witnessing of movement of gametes and embryos. Jeanette further developed her quality management and leadership skills by completing a Management Apprenticeship and Diploma through the Institute of Leadership and Management. Jeanette’s key strengths and interests are developing quality systems within the clinic and laboratory to create a safer environment for patient care, introducing new scientific technology and techniques to enhance patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.
CHRISTINE MARTIN | CHARGE NURSE MANAGER
MSc, BSc
Christine grew up in New Zealand and studied Nursing and Health Sciences at AUT before moving to Los Angeles soon after graduation. She has over 16 years of experience in IVF working for two of the most well respected programs in both Southern California and in the San Francisco Bay Area where she was the Director of Clinical Services.
Christine holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (Nursing). She has also completed the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Nurse Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and the ASRM Embryology Certificate.
Christine feels very fortunate to be able to return home and continue to work and contribute to a field of medicine that she feels so passionate about. She is dedicated to continue to develop an exceptional nursing and administrative team at Fertility Plus and to advance the culture of providing quality patient care.
DR EMILY LIU | FERTILITY SPECIALIST
MB ChB 2002 Otago; FRANZCOG
Dr Emily Liu is a New Zealand trained fertility specialist. She is a graduate from University of Otago, and trained as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Auckland. Emily completed Master study in Reproductive Medicine with University of New South Wales. She is certified as a RANZCOG Subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI).
Emily has involved in a number of clinical trials in fertility with University of Auckland, and has a strong interest in evidence based medicine. She is the principal investigator of the TUI study, and is a published Cochrane author.
DR ELIZABETH GLANVILLE | FERTILITY SPECIALIST, OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNAECOLOGIST
MBChB MRMed FRANZCOG
Dr Elizabeth Glanville completed her undergraduate training at the University of Bristol, UK. She trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology both in the UK and in New Zealand, obtaining FRANZCOG in 2019. She has also obtained a Masters in Reproductive Medicine from the UNSW and is now a subspecialty trainee in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, aiming to achieve the RANZCOG CREI.
Elizabeth is a Honorary Academic at the University of Auckland and teaches on the Postgraduate Diploma in O&G programme. She has a passion for teaching and learning and feels strongly about staying up to date with evidence based medicine whilst involving patients in informed decision making around their care. She is actively involved in research, both locally and as part of international collaborations, as well as being an author for Cochrane.
DR JOHN TUCKEY | UROLOGIST
MB ChB 1988 Otago; MMedSc 1994 Otago; FRACS 1997
John is a New Zealand trained Urologist with experience in all areas of Urology. He specialises in erectile dysfunction, fertility, andrology, vasectomy reversal, kidney stone surgery and stone prevention and spinal injuries.
Dr Kira Brent | Fertility specialist, obstetrician and gynaecologist
MBChB (University of Auckland 2008); MRMed (UNSW 2018); FRANZCOG 2018
Dr Kira Brent studied medicine at the University of Auckland. After graduating, she worked in Gisborne and the Northern Territory of Australia before returning to Auckland and completing specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She has a Masters of Reproductive Medicine from the UNSW. Kira works as a specialist at National Women's Health and Fertility Plus. Her interests are fertility and assisted reproduction, general gynaecology and obstetrics. She also works in private obstetrics.
Dr Lucy Prentice | Fertility Fellow at Fertility Plus
MBChB, PGdipOBGYN
Lucy is an Obstetric and Gynaecology advanced trainee currently sub-specialising in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI). She is also undertaking a Masters in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Lucy is the trial coordinator for the FIIX study - a study looking at different treatment options for couples with unexplained infertility. Lucy is passionate about guiding couples through their infertility journey and has a special interest in couples with unexplained infertility.
DR. MARTIN SOWTER | FERTILITY SPECIALIST, OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNAECOLOGIST
BSc (Hons) MB ChB MD FRCOG FRANZCOG
Dr Martin Sowter graduated from the University of Birmingham and then trained in Bristol before coming to New Zealand in 1995 to spend two years undertaking research on the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy for an MD thesis at National Women’s Hospital. He has also worked in IVF units in Bristol and Plymouth. He returned permanently to Auckland as a specialist in 2001. From 2002 to 2006 he was a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland. He is a part-time specialist at Auckland City Hospital in the fertility and menstrual disorders clinics.
Dr Sowter is also one of the coordinators of the hospital’s obstetric emergencies training programme for midwives and medical staff. For the last five years he has also worked regularly in the Cook Islands providing support for the local medical staff in Rarotonga. He is also a specialist at the Auckland Obstetric Centre.
DR SHELLEY REILLY | FERTILITY SPECIALIST, OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNAECOLOGIST
MBChB MRMed FRANZCOG
Dr Shelley Reilly is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at National Women’s. She trained at Otago University and has worked overseas in London. Her main focus of interest is in the area of IVF and infertility. She is undertaking subspecialist training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and is completing a Masters in Reproductive Medicine to become an expert in this field.
She is involved with infertility research and is the principal investigator for the IVF-LUBE study ‘Lipiodol Uterine Bathing Effect for enhancing the results of IVF, a multicentre randomised trial’.
Dr Tze Yoong Wong | Fertility Specialist, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
MBChB PGDipObsMedGyn MRMed FRANZCOG
Tze is friendly, attentive and approachable. He graduated from the University of Glasgow and spent his early career in the UK. He completed his specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in various hospitals throughout New Zealand, with advanced training in reproductive medicine. He also consults in Mandarin and Cantonese.