Dean Herbert appointed to provincial panel on fertility treatment and adoption

Ontario has appointed an expert panel on fertility treatment and adoption to help find solutions for people who are trying to start or expand a family. Dr. Carol Herbert, Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario has been named to this 12-member panel which will recommend ways to help make both fertility treatment and adoption more accessible and affordable.

The panel will provide advice to the government on improving access to infertility treatment and making fertility monitoring available to women so they know if they are likely to have problems conceiving a child, and improving Ontario's adoption system so that more children can become part of families more quickly.

Panel members include adoptive parents, people who have had personal experience with infertility, and representatives from the medical and adoption communities. The panel is expected to report back to the Minister of Children and Youth Services with its recommendations within a year.

"I'm encouraged by the provincial government's desire to make fertility treatment and adoption more accessible," said Dean Herbert. "Given the diverse backgrounds of the panel members and our shared passion for parenthood, I'm confident we'll come up with recommendations the government can act upon to help future families."

"As a parent and a grandparent, I know that having a family is one of life's greatest gifts," said Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews. "Our goal is to provide supports for people in this province who want to become parents."

"Infertility and adoption can be an emotional challenge for many people," said David Caplan, Minister of health and Long-Term Care. "This panel will ultimately help prospective parents overcome the obstacles they face during this process."