The
World Endometriosis Research Foundation
The
World Endometriosis Research Foundation was founded
in 2006. It was created following a series of joint
meetings among the Special Interest Groups on Endometriosis
of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology
(ESHRE), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
(ASRM) and the World Endometriosis Society (WES).
The
reason for these meetings was to explore collaboration
and ways to share vital resources within the endometriosis
community so that answers to important clinical questions
can be developed through more and better endometriosis
research.
All three organisations have recognised
the lack of large scale international clinical trials,
the lack of overall funding for endometriosis research
and, not least, the isolation of programs within countries,
inadequate communications among centres and inefficiencies
of research when information and data are not shared.
The Foundation is a registered charity
in the United Kingdom (and shortly will be a 503 (c)
organisation in the USA as well). It will operate globally
under the management of the WERF board, which has representation
across the world.
The board will consist of 7-11 members and will have
representatives from all three founding organisations.
The president of the board will always be the immediate
past president of the WES. Board terms are three years
and any board member can sit for a maximum of two terms.
The Foundation will function according
to rules of fairness, inclusion, democracy, transparency,
as well as fiscal responsibility and accountability.
To ensure this, appropriate financial operations including
accountants, processes, and audits have been put in
place.
Seed money for the Foundation has been
provided equally by the ASRM, ESHRE and WES in 2006,
and the ASRM and ESHRE have continued to provide core
funding in 2007.
The
Board: 2006 - 2009
Professor
Robert Shaw (president)
United Kingdom
Professor Linda Giudice
(vice-president)
USA
Dr Stephen Kennedy
(treasurer/secretary)
United Kingdom
Professor G David
Adamson
USA
Professor Thomas D’Hooghe
Belgium
Professor Robert
Schenken
USA
Dr Martyn Stafford-Bell
Australia
Professor Carlos Sueldo
Argentina
>>
PEER REVIEW BOARD
Administration
Lone
Hummelshoj (Chief Executive)
United Kingdom
ASRM
The American Society for Reproductive
Medicine (ASRM) was founded in 1944 as a multi-disciplinary
society to help form key legislation and fight for reproductive
rights when public policy in reproductive matters did
not exist. Since 1950 it has published Fertility and
Sterility, and it also produces guidelines, minimum
standards, committee opinions, and technical and educational
bulletins.
See also: www.asrm.org
ESHRE
The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology
(ESHRE) was founded in 1985 to promote the study and
treatment of reproductive biology and medicine. It promotes
research, organises education and advanced medical training
activities, and publishes Human Reproduction.
See also:
www.eshre.com
World
Endometriosis Society
The World Endometriosis Society (WES) was founded in
1998 to foster research and promote the exchange of
clinical experience, scientific thought and investigation
among gynaecologists, endocrinologists, scientists,
biologists and other qualified individuals interested
in advancing the field of endometriosis.
See also: www.endometriosis.ca