Professor Lesley Regan, a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has officially been recognised for her outstanding contribution to medicine, particularly recurrent miscarriage and infertility.
Prof Regan was presented with her ‘Woman of Achievement Award’, organised by Benenden School, Kent, at a glitzy ceremony on Thursday 27th January at the Savoy Hotel, London.
Lesley says, “I feel honoured and privileged to have been selected for this award but the recognition must also go to the whole team of people that I work with.”
It was whilst working in her first registrar post at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge that she was struck by how little was understood about the causes of miscarriage – the commonest complication of pregnancy.
“Then, when I was appointed Director of Medical Studies at Girton College I was introduced to the excitement of clinical research and encouraged to pursue my developing interest in recurrent pregnancy loss,” explains Lesley.
In 1990 she became the first female consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at St Mary’s Hospital, London, and in 1996 was appointed as chair and head of the department. The recurrent miscarriage service is now recognised internationally and her research team have been instrumental in furthering our understanding and treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome and other thrombophilic disorders in reproductive failure.
Currently, Lesley is the director for gynaecology at St Mary’s Hospital and visiting professor to the Harvard Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health.
She is married with 12 year-old twin daughters and four elder stepchildren. Her spare time is spent planting a garden in the South of France and writing about reproductive issues for the lay public. Her book, Miscarriage – what every woman needs to know is now in its second edition, and her new book, Your pregnancy – week by week will be published in March 2005.
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Notes to Editor:
Lesley Regan graduated from the Royal Free Hospital in 1980 where she was inspired to take up obstetrics and gynaecology by one of her teachers. Having completed her SHO training in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology in London, she moved to Cambridge in 1984.
The Benenden School community (5000 alumni, parents, staff and students) nominated women whose commitment and achievements had been an inspiration to them. The awards lunch is in aid of the school Trust’s scholarship and bursary fund.
Photographs of Lesley are available.
