Latest News & Events

Changes To The Medicare Safety Net 201010-Mar-2010

The Medicare Safety Net (/IVF-Cost.htm) was introduced by the federal government in 2004 to prov..

THE KEY TO OPTIMISING IVF SUCCESS RATES09-Feb-2010

City Fertility Centre is able to boast some of the highest pregnancy success rates of any fertility ..

Rapid Freezing Increases IVF Success Rates07-Feb-2010

NUMBERS tell the story about why couples should choose a clinic that uses rapid freezing embryo tech..

Our Staff

	ADNAN CATAKOVIC (Scientific Director) Adnan Catakovic is a founding partner of City Fertility Centre and has been involved in IVF Laboratory Services since the 1980s'. Adnan completed his University training in Queensland at the Queensland University of Technology completing his Masters at the same institution in 1992. Adnan completed his Masters Thesis on the Coculture of Human Embryos in their Autologous Granulosa/Cumulus Cell Complex for which he received a High Distinction. Adnan has been involved in the establishment in approximately 12 IVF Laboratories and entire IVF Programs. Adnan has worked and consulted in IVF clinics throughout Australia, The United States and Canada and has acted as a consultant for Cytopath in England. Adnan's primary driver in any laboratory system is a "All Care and All Responsibility" approach from his teams at all times. Adnan is strongly committed to his teams maintaining high levels of not just technical competence but also a thorough academic competence whilst still maintaining and understanding the needs of the couples. All of the IVF Team understand the need to keep our couples thoroughly informed during their City Fertility Centre Experience.
	EMMA EBINGER (National Laboratory Manager) In 1992 Emma completed her BSc (Hons.) Zoology at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. It was during a course as part of her degree on developmental biology that she developed a fascination into the science of reproduction. This led her to focus her career in Fertility. In 2007 she completed her Masters Degree from The University of Queensland. 1993- 1995 Trainee Embryologist, Kings College Hospital, London - 1994 Consultant embryologist, Kuwait City, Kuwait - 1995 Consultant embryologist, Lahore. Pakistan - 1996-1998 Embryologist, Monash IVF Melbourne - In this position she had experience of being a member of a large embryology team which worked at the city clinics but also spend a large part of her time working in the rural satellite clinics throughout Victoria. 1998-2003 Embryologist Monash IVF Qld - The move to QLD was motivated by a desire for more sun and warmer winters. 2004 Laboratory Manager City Fertility Centre - Emma jumped at the chance to be involved with a new clinic with staff that had a shared passion for providing the best care and results to patients. 2007 Laboratory Director, City Fertility Centre - With the development of CFC clinics in Melbourne and at the Gold Coast over the years Emma took over the role of being responsible for overseeing the Lab managers in the clinics. This requires ensuring that the level of scientific care across the sites is maintained and that new scientific developments are employed to keep the laboratories at the forefront of science. Since being fortunate enough to have two healthy children herself Emma has a different level of compassion for people suffering infertility. She passionately believes that that everything possible must be done in order to absolutely maximise the patients’ chances of success and Emma loves nothing better than seeing the results of the team's hard work.
	LOUISE HAYES (National Nurse Manager) Louise has had over 30 yrs nursing experience including 23 yrs as midwife. Her roles have included hospital management; tertiary education and clinical support. Louise undertook her general training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Midwifery at the Mater Mother’s Hospital and completed a Bachelor of Nursing (Post registration) at ACU in Brisbane. Louise joined City Fertility Centre in Feb 2004 as a part-time IVF Nurse Co- ordinator and now holds the position of Nursing Director for all clinics at City Fertility Centre. Louise is one of 2 QLD reps for the Fertility Nurses of Australasia and assists with the co-ordination of education for all QLD fertility nurses. She is an executive committee member & holds the position of assistant treasurer.
	Emmy (Fan-Chin) Hung (Laboratory Supervisor) Emmy is originally from Taiwan. Emmy completed a Zoology/Biology degree graduating from the Taiwain National University in 1997. Emmy worked for several years in an IVF lab in Taipei after graduating from University. In 2002 Emmy moved to Australia completing her Masters Degree at the University of Queensland, majoring in biomedical science before going on to work as a Research Assistant for two years under Associate Professor Peter Kaye. Emmy joined the CFC group in 2006 and has been active in helping with the development of new embryology techniques such as oocyte and embryo vitrification. In 2008 Emmy was promoted to the role of Laboratory Supervisor due to her dedication and commitment to the provision of high quality laboratory care for our patients.
	MISTY HATFIELD (Senior Embryologist/Andrologist) Misty hails from the mid-north coast region of New South Wales and studied her Bachelor of Applied Science at Charles Sturt University. She was in one of the first groups of students to graduate with a degree in Medical and Applied Biotechnology, a new course specialising in DNA technologies and their applications to forensics and genetic engineering. She graduated in 2002 with Distinction and a strong interest in genetics and reproductive technology. Misty completed her embryology training at a small clinic near the Victorian state border where she had the opportunity to learn all facets of the industry. Misty "saw the light" and moved to Queensland in 2005 to join the City Fertility team, and has since married a local and settled down in Brisbane. Misty currently co-ordinates the Brisbane IVF Lab’s quality control system, and the transport of embryos between facilities. She is currently expanding her knowledge base and studying for a postgraduate qualification in Nutrition Medicine.
	PAUL DIGGLES (Embryologist/Andrologist) Paul is a true Brisbane "local" having been born and raised in Brisbane. Paul spent several years working down in Victoria but has returned to the Sunshine State. Paul Graduated Queensland University of Technology 1990 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Microbiology/Biochemistry) Paul has also completed the Du-pont Safety Management Training, A Training course in Quality Management in the Laboratory as well as an Internal Auditing Course Paul has worked extensively in the field of Microbiology, specialising in certain pathogenic organisms screening. Paul has worked for 8 years as a Quality Assurance Manager looking after all aspects of quality, document control, managing both ISO (quality system) and HACCP quality systems. Dealing with legislative requirements, Government Regulatory Bodies & Health Departments both throughout Australia and Overseas through Asia and Europe and Customer Service. Paul has been enticed over to the Fertility field to further enhance existing systems with his experience in areas of quality management, laboratory skills and auditing.
	Leanne Lakey (Senior IVF Nurse Coordinator) With a thorough background in nursing and midwifery, Leanne joined the City Fertility Centre team, as an IVF nurse co-ordinator in 2007. Originally from Victoria, Leanne undertook both her Bachelor of Nursing and Postgraduate diploma in Midwifery Science at the La Trobe University Bendigo. After moving to the sunshine state in 2004, Leanne focused her career in the area of women’s reproductive health, first working at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in the Gynaecology/Oncology department and then forward to the RBWH Women and Birthing unit. From this tertiary centre, Leanne moved to the Women’s and Birthing Unit at Redlands Hospital Cleveland. Whilst working at this facility, Leanne was able to practise as an autonomous midwife in all aspects of preconception care, intrapartum care and through the postnatal period of a woman’s pregnancy experience. With an extensive knowledge in women’s reproductive health Leanne is excited to be a supporter of you and your family during the emotional experience of IVF.
	Estelle Wilks (Senior Nurse Coordinator) With a comprehensive background in nursing, Estelle joined the City Fertility Centre team as one of the IVF Nurse Co-ordinators in 2006. Bringing with her a vast knowledge of women's reproductive health. Estelle is committed to working with, and supporting women and their families. Estelle completed her initial training of General Nursing followed by Midwifery in South Africa during the period of 1973-1977. Whilst working overseas, Estelle met and married an Australian and together they returned and settled in Brisbane. Estelle joined the Mater Mothers Hospital in 1983 and continued to provide support and care for her patients over the next 22 years. During this time Estelle worked as a Clinical Nurse, Lactation Consultant and Nurse Educator in the areas of Intensive Care and Special Care Nurseries. Whilst undertaking these many and varied roles, Estelle went on to complete a Health Science Degree at Armidale University, NSW in 2000. Estelle enjoys the patient interaction that the IVF Nurse Coordinator role provides her with and looks forward to supporting you and your family on your IVF Journey.
	Sally Salter (IVF Nurse coordinator) I started my nursing career in 1989 on an acute medical admissions ward and worked there for several years. It was an exciting area comprising area comprising cardiology, immunology and rheumatology. Following this, I spent several years caring for the elderly, which was very rewarding. I then traveled extensively for 18 months, to USA, Canada, Asia and Australia where I met my husband. I worked within several nursing agencies during this time and gained experience in mental handicap and surgical nursing. I then worked in day surgery for ten years where my role was counselling pre-operative patients and working within the operating room as a scout and Anaesthetics nurse. I also tended to all post operative care of these patients. I got married in 1998 and had my first son Charlie in 2000 and Angus in 2001; both very different and equally adorable. I became interested in IVF after a family member experienced IVF in the UK. I joined City Fertility Centre with the expectation of doing something rewarding and expanding my skills, which has certainly been the case.
	Shirley Zhang (Embryologist) I was originally from China. I graduated from The Medical Centre of Fudan University (formerly Shanghai Medical University) in 1997 with a Bachelor Degree of Medicine. Then I worked at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital as a clinician in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. More than five years clinical practice has provided me with a sound understanding of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. During this time I had the opportunity to understand the impact that human infertility had on patients, which encouraged me to further my knowledge in the area of ART. I moved to Melbourne in 2003, and I did the course of Master of Clinical Embryology in Monash University. Throughout the MCE course, I have acquired excellent practical skills as well as a sound theoretical knowledge covering all aspects of modern and future trends in assisted reproduction. After the course finished, I successfully applied for a summer scholarship awarded by Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), working in Monash Institute of Medical Research. During this period, I learned a lot of practical skills in embryology lab for research. Then I started my career as an embryologist at Westmead Fertility Center in New South Wales in June 2004. Here I received training under the supervision of Dr. Steven Fleming. I gained experience in most aspects of embryology and andrology. I left the job to go overseas and then I moved back to Melbourne in 2007. During this break, my baby was born, bringing me a lot of joy and helping me understand how much a child means to a mother. I joined in CFC group in early 2008. I absolutely enjoy working in the new facility, where we’ve got fantastic results and happy patients.
	Debbie Turner (Medical Liaison) Debbie is the Medical Liaison for Brisbane South Region, visiting the GP’s in this area and discussing City Fertility Centre with them. She previously worked in Sales as a Product Specialist for a Dental Company and has had extensive experience in Sales and Marketing. She was born in Brisbane and lived most of her life on the Gold Coast. She is married with 2 daughters.
	Nicole Binder (Medical Liaison) Nicole is one of our Medical Liaison Representatives. She is “on the road” every day looking after all General Practitioners on Brisbane’s Northside & Bayside by keeping them up-to-date with News from the Fertility & IVF world. Nicole is originally from Germany. She has a tertiary degree in Sales & Marketing and several years of working experience in this field. Love for the country and for a handsome “Aussie” brought her over here more than 2 years ago. Since then Nicole has been a valuable member of the City Fertility Centre team.