Staff

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    Dr. Stephen P. Hudson, FRCS(C), Medical Director
    Dr. Stephen P. Hudson

    Dr. Stephen Hudson, the Director of Victoria Fertility Centre, is an Obstetrician Gynecologist trained in South Africa and Canada.

    After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town in 1978, he did further training in first Pediatrics and then Anesthesia, gaining post graduate diplomas in both.

    His specialist training in OBGYN started in Cape Town, was interrupted by a move to Canada, and completed at the University of British Columbia in 1989.While in private practice in Vancouver until 1996, his main focus was reproductive medicine, prenatal diagnostic ultrasound, and high risk obstetrics. While in Vancouver, he was involved with the UBC IVF program and worked at the BC Women's prenatal ultrasound unit.

    He moved to Vancouver Island in 1996, and established the Victoria Fertility Centre in 2003. This is a state of the art fertility clinic offering every form of advanced reproductive technology available – including In Vitro Fertilization and Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

    He is an Assistant Professor in the UBC department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and an honorary member of the Department of Perinatology.

     
    Penny Hudson, Office Manager
       
     
    Lisa Cowan (MSc.), Laboratory Director
    Lisa Cowan

    Lisa Cowan (MSc.), is the Laboratory Director for the Victoria Fertility Centre. Lisa received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds, UK and has been avidly involved with the development and delivery of assisted reproductive technologies since 1992.  Lisa is a strong believer in patient education, making great efforts to bring an understanding to the very stressful process of assisted reproduction.

    Lisa is also a national and international leader in professional development, and education. She is currently the Allied Health Director (2005- 2007) for the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and holds a position on the executive board for Alpha, an international society for scientists in reproduction. Her main research interests involve investigating predictors of embryo multinucleation and mechanisms involved with continued development and cell death. Lisa’s vast experience and leadership skills have enabled our laboratory and clinical team to achieve patient satisfaction and successes.

     
    Jullin Fjeldstad, BSc., Clinical Embryologist

    Jullin Fjeldstad is a Clinical Embryologist and has been an integral member of our laboratory team since January 2007. Jullin graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria with a BSc. in Biology and has applied her educational background to compliment her acquired skills related to blastocyst culture and vitrification. In addition to her  formal education, Jullin's past volunteer experiences at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Queen Alexandra Center for Children's Health and the Island Sexual Health Society highlight her devoted interest to patient care and the Health Sciences. Today Jullin's calm and professional manner with couples' is a true reflection of her confidence and passion for her work. Jullin is also an active member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) and the ART Laboratory Special Interest Group. Her main areas of interest include blastocyst development and fertility preservation.

     
    Clementine Hudson, BA., Accreditation Coordinator, Human Resources, Clinical Coordinator Subordinate

     
    Clementine completed her undergraduate degree with distinction from the University of Victoria with majors in Ecomonics and Sociology. She joined the VFC team in 2007 and currently holds the position of Accreditation Coordinator, Human Resource Coordinator and Clinical Coordinator subordinate. Clementine strongly believes that combining wellness to the fertility treatment provided at VFC is crutial to the overall experience of infertility and in 2009 she spoke at the Serono International Nursing Conference on Reproductive Wellness.
    Clementine is an active member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and holds the role of Secretary on the Administrative Special Interest Group.
     
    Leigh Patten, Clinical Coordinator
      Leigh completed her CNA/Phlebotomy training in Honolulu, HI in 1997 prior to moving to Seattle, WA with her family. Leigh worked in Orthopedics for a number of years before transitioning into the fertility field in 2000. Leigh has worked as a IVF Coordinator and Surgical Technologist at various fertility clinics in the Seattle area. She has spoken on open panels with Resolve regarding Donor Eligibility in the U.S. Leigh also ran the Donor IVF Program at her previous fertility clinic before moving to Victoria in 2007 where she now works for the Victoria Fertility Centre as a Clinical Coordinator.
     
    Tammi MacPhee, Clinical Coordinator/LPN
       
     
    Administrative Coordinators
    From Left to Right:
    Wanda Hill, Meghan Noftall, Kimberley Davis, Sheri Thorsen

     
     
    Dr. Eric Ochs, PhD., Clinical Psychologist
    Dr. Eric Ochs

    Dr. Eric Ochs earned his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from McGill University. He has received advanced training in couple and sex therapy, and in reproductive psychology. Currently he sees individuals and couples in his private practice who are using assisted reproduction technology (ART) to help build their families. Dr. Ochs has authored a number of scientific papers and book chapters.

    Dr. Ochs can be reached at:  (250) 516-5414