Team
Patients seek infertility treatment and advice for one reason – to help them become pregnant. Many factors contribute to a clinic's ability to help patients achieve successful pregnancies, but after the age and physical wellbeing of the client couple, the single greatest factor is the skill and competence of the treatment team.
At Origin, we are proud of our excellent team of highly qualified consultants and embryologists, and of our caring, friendly and supportive network of skilled nurses, counsellors and receptionists.
There is considerable evidence that stress can have an impact on fertility. For many couples assisted conception can be the end of a long and difficult journey of trying to conceive and this is often an emotional and trying time. As we work in partnership with our patients towards achieving a successful pregnancy, our counsellor is part of that team, helping to reduce patient stress and improve mental wellbeing as part of the treatment process. Although not compulsory we strongly recommend that patients avail of the counselling service as we believe that it makes a valuable contribution to treatment.
meet our team:
Managing Director
Jenny Hall
Jenny Hall was a founder member of Nottingham University Research and Treatment Centre in Reproduction (NURTURE). She practiced embryology there from 1991 to 1999 and gained experience in all areas of infertility management. She also worked as an embryologist in Leicester and in Rome, and has conducted extensive research on male factor infertility. Jenny returned home to Belfast in 1999 and has a passionate commitment to the provision of fertility treatment in Northern Ireland. The opening of Origin marked the culmination of a four-year project to set up a private IVF unit in Northern Ireland.
Clinic Manager
Donna Tennant
Donna worked as a fertility nurse in the Regional Fertility Centre, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast from April 1995 until December 2004. At the RVH she held the post of ovum donation nurse and became the senior nurse/sister in July 2002 where her challenge was to build up a strong nursing team. Donna joined the Origin team in December 2004. She is a member of the Royal College of Nursing, Fertility Nurses Group and was a member of their steering committee from 2003-2008. Donna became the Clinic's Person Responsible for the HFEA on 1 August 2008.
Fertility Specialist
Dr Sami Farrag
Dr Farrag has joined Origin as a full-time clinician since August 2007. He has been included on the Specialist Register of GMC as a consultant Obtetrician and Gynaecologist. We have appointed him as a consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist. Dr Farrag has previously worked in all the major teaching hospitals in Northern Ireland, including a 2 year post as a Clinical Fellow in Reproductive Medicine at the Regional Fertility Centre, Belfast. His joining has significantly enhanced both our skills-base and our promise of no waiting list and accelerated treatment programmes.
Embryology team:
Embryology Manager
Jim McNally
Jim began his embryology career in 1995 at the Regional Fertility Centre. Prior to this he had been working in research. Clinical training and Health Professions Council membership followed and he is currently studying for part II professional examinations (MRCPath). At Origin he manages the embryology laboratory and is also heavily involved in IT and Quality Management within the unit. Areas of interest include applying appropriate methods to maximise success rates, impact of free radicals in infertility and imaging of embryo development. When not working he spends his spare time walking the dog, cycling, swimming and with his family – though not necessarily in that order of priority.
Consultant Embryologist
Steven Fleming
Pre-Reg Embryologist
Kerstin Dunbar
Pre-Reg Embryologist
Lauren Dalzell
Trainee Embryologist
Mhairi West
Nursing Team:
Deputy Nurse Manager
Barbara Dowling
Deputy Nurse Manager
Joan Duffy
Nurse Consultant
Gillian Ballantine
Fertility Nurse
Sandra Sloss
Fertility Nurse
Elaine Blaney
Fertility Nurse
Elaine Luke
Fertility Nurse
Anita Brankin
Fertility Nurse
Jenny Rodgers
Fertility Nurse
Karen Wellwood
Healthcare Assistant
Lee Coyle
Healthcare Assistant
Fiona Rogan
Counsellor:
Counselling Psychologist
Patricia McCrystal
Patricia is a Counselling Psychologist and Accredited Counsellor with a strong background in both the NHS and corporate sector. She studied at Queens’ University, Trinity College, University of Roehampton and University of Ulster. She has run clinics in both the Royal Group of Hospitals and Musgrave Park Hospital and currently provides a psychological service to a range of public and private sector clients. Patricia played a key role in establishing the counselling service at Origin and continues to manage this.
Administration Team:
Administration Manager
Judith Evans
Senior Administrator
Ruth Henderson
Administrator
Lynn Pavis
Administrator
Arlene Mann
Administrator
Janet Armstrong
Administrator
Anne-Marie Nelson
Management Support Executive
Zarah Akilagun-Thompson
Finance Adminstrator
Gemma Derbyshire
Complementary Team:
Housekeeper
Rosemary Holmes
Housekeeper
Jennifer Gallagher
Caretaker/Houskeeper
Paul Whitcombe
