Our Staff

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.

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.

Robert Heudes, BSc., is the Senior Embryologist with the Victoria Fertility Centre. Robert is a current candidate with the University of Leeds, MSc. Clinical Embryology program and also holds a BSc. in Biology from St. Mary’s University, Halifax, N.S. Robert carries 16 years of experience as an ART Laboratory Scientist.

His career began with the Halifax fertility program where soon after he received intracytoplasmic sperm injection training from the world renowned Jones Institute in Norfolk, Virginia. Aside from his senior embryologist role, Robert manages the donor sperm program, facilitates an on-going clinical education program, and oversees all related health and safety issues.

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

Stephanie Curran, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Stephanie Curran is a licensed practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. She graduated from the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Vancouver and traveled abroad to participate in a acupuncture practicum in China.

Stephanie did further specialized training in Infertility and Obstetrics both in Toronto and Houston, Texas.

Stephanie has been in private practice since 2000 and is currently an instructor at the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria.

Stephanie can be contacted at: (250) 383-2626