Pope Paul VI Institute

Pope Paul VI Institute, also known as the National Center for Study and Research in Human Reproduction, was founded by Thomas Hilgers in 1976 at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. The institute is dedicated to the study and research of natural family planning (NFP) methods, particularly the Creighton Model FertilityCare System (CrMS), which was developed by Thomas Hilgers in collaboration with James B. Brown and Erik Odeblad. The institute has worked closely with the Pontifical Council for the Family and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote NFP methods globally, including in countries such as India, China, and Brazil. The institute's work has been supported by organizations such as the John Templeton Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

● History

The Pope Paul VI Institute was established in 1985 as a response to the Humanae Vitae encyclical issued by Pope Paul VI in 1968, which emphasized the importance of natural methods of family planning. The institute's early work was influenced by the research of Konald Prem and Joseph W. Goldzieher, who developed the Basal Body Temperature method of NFP. The institute has since become a leading center for research and education in NFP, with collaborations with institutions such as the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic, and the Karolinska Institute. The institute has also worked with organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) to promote the use of NFP methods in clinical practice.

● Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Pope Paul VI Institute is to advance the understanding and use of NFP methods, particularly the CrMS, through research, education, and clinical practice. The institute's objectives include the development of new NFP methods, the evaluation of the effectiveness of existing methods, and the promotion of NFP education and training programs for healthcare professionals, such as those offered by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH). The institute has also worked to promote NFP methods in underserved communities, including in countries such as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, through partnerships with organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

● Research and Education

The Pope Paul VI Institute has conducted extensive research on the CrMS and other NFP methods, including studies on the Billings Ovulation Method and the Marquette Model. The institute has also developed educational programs for healthcare professionals, including the FertilityCare practitioner training program, which has been accredited by the American Board of FertilityCare Professionals (ABFP). The institute's research and education programs have been supported by grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The institute has also collaborated with researchers from institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Michigan, and the University of Oxford to advance the understanding of NFP methods.

● Organization and Structure

The Pope Paul VI Institute is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors, which includes Thomas Hilgers and other prominent researchers and clinicians in the field of NFP. The institute is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a network of affiliated centers and practitioners around the world, including in countries such as Australia, Canada, and Germany. The institute has also established partnerships with organizations such as the Catholic Health Association (CHA) and the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) to promote NFP methods in Catholic healthcare settings.

● Notable Contributions

The Pope Paul VI Institute has made significant contributions to the field of NFP, including the development of the CrMS and the promotion of NFP education and training programs for healthcare professionals. The institute's research has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Reproductive Medicine and the Fertility and Sterility journal, and has been presented at conferences such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) annual meeting and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) annual meeting. The institute has also received awards and recognition from organizations such as the Pope Paul VI Award and the Linacre Award for its contributions to the field of NFP.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The Pope Paul VI Institute has faced criticisms and controversies related to its promotion of NFP methods, particularly the CrMS, which some have argued is not as effective as other methods of family planning, such as hormonal contraception. The institute has also faced criticism from organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) for its opposition to abortion and emergency contraception. Despite these criticisms, the institute remains a leading center for research and education in NFP, and its work has been supported by organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Medical Association (CMA). The institute has also collaborated with researchers from institutions such as the Harvard University and the Stanford University to advance the understanding of NFP methods and to address criticisms and controversies related to its work. Category:Medical research institutes