World Endometriosis Research Foundation

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