Wulf H. Utian, MB BCh, PhD, former South African and internationally renowned Cleveland physician, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science in Medicine from the University of Cape Town on 10 December, the tenth time this degree has been awarded in over 100 years of the University’s history.
This most senior doctorate in the Faculty of Health Sciences is awarded for substantial original and scholarly contributions in one or more medical fields, on the basis of original published work which must be of international standing and regarded as seminal to medical progress.
Dr. Utian is acknowledged worldwide as the first medical investigator to attempt to subject menopause to rigorous scientific scrutiny, conducted over a period of 40 years. His initial data were gathered between 1967 and 1976 at a Menopause Clinic especially established for research purposes at the Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, the first unit of its type
worldwide.
Subsequent studies were performed through the University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, and his Clinical Research Center in Cleveland.
A pioneer in other women’s health issues, Dr Utian was an innovator in several aspects of advanced reproductive technology and infertility microsurgery in the United States, developing one of the world’s first successful in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centres. He performed the world’s first surrogate IVF procedure in 1984.
During his career, Dr. Utian has written over 200 papers and authored five books in his field. He has received numerous national and international honours and awards for his contributions to women’s health.
Previously Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Cleveland and currently Consultant in Gynecology and Women’s Health, Cleveland Clinic, Professor Utian holds a number of other roles, including that of Visiting Professor, University of Cape Town (2007-2010).
