Meet Dr Marisa López-Teijón, a trailblazing figure in the realm of Assisted Reproduction and women’s health. Between 2000 and 2022 she has been the director of Institut Marquès, where she continues to manage the R&D&I department. Furthermore, as a member of both the National Commission of the Spanish Ministry of Health for Gamete Donors and the National Commission of the Spanish Ministry of Health responsible for the National Biovigilance System, her contributions to the field are nothing short of exceptional.
Dr. López-Teijón’s academic journey began with her graduation in Medicine and Surgery from the prestigious Faculty of Medicine at the University of Santiago, Spain. Building on this solid foundation, she further honed her expertise by specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the vibrant city of Barcelona.
Beyond her remarkable professional affiliations, Dr. López-Teijón’s scientific prowess is truly remarkable. Her research publications have garnered significant recognition, achieving an impressive Impact Index of 32.55. This extraordinary score, granted by the esteemed scientific platform Research Gate, firmly positions her among the finest researchers in her field, ranking above the 90th percentile. With an impressive portfolio of 59 published articles, her work has garnered widespread acclaim, being cited 404 times and receiving nearly 6,483 readings.
Leading Force in Assisted Reproduction
Thanks to its robust legal framework and a rich heritage of excellence in healthcare innovation, Spain stands out as the European leader in Assisted Reproduction treatments. A pivotal force in this landscape is the renowned Institut Marquès, based in Barcelona, where the expertise of Dr. López-Teijón and Dr. Leonardo Marquès has ushered in a new era of advanced techniques and improved methodologies in the field.
Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. López-Teijón, Institut Marquès has ascended to the forefront of Assisted Reproduction clinics worldwide. Spearheaded from its headquarters in Spain, the center has played a pioneering role in the introduction of revolutionary techniques like PGT – Preimplantation Genetic Test, significantly advancing the field of genetic analysis of embryos, eggs, and spermatozoa. Furthermore, Dr. López Teijón’s groundbreaking efforts led to the launch of the first-ever Embryo Adoption program, and she was the driving force behind seminal studies on sperm quality in Spain, Italy, and Ireland.
Such monumental achievements have earned Institut Marquès global acclaim, gaining recognition from prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT. With centers not only in Spain, spanning Barcelona and Sabadell, but also in Italy, boasting locations in Roma and Milano, the institute has cemented its status as an international beacon of excellence in Assisted Reproduction.
In a landmark development in 2022, Institut Marquès joined forces with FutureLife to embark on an ambitious international project, poised to further elevate the standards and possibilities in the field of Assisted Reproduction.
A Global Leader in Fertility Services and Personalized Care
Institut Marquès is a leading fertility center renowned for its comprehensive range of top-tier fertility services and personalized patient care. Guided by a team of specialized assistance professionals fluent in various languages, patients receive unwavering support throughout their treatment journey. Notably, the center excels in handling complex cases of individuals facing fertility challenges, including those who have experienced unsuccessful cycles in the past.
Distinguished as a pioneer in both the study of male sterility and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), Institut Marquès is a beacon of expertise in the field. With its cutting-edge facilities, including its own sperm bank and a broad donation program for oocytes and embryos, the center achieves remarkable success rates. In fact, their In-Vitro Fertilization treatments with donor egg and sperm achieve an outstanding success rate of 91.5% per cycle.
For patients requiring Donor Artificial Insemination or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Institut Marquès offers a myriad of alternatives to cater to individual needs. The center’s specialized treatment units, such as Genetic Advice and Hereditary Diseases, Recurrent Miscarriages, Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, and Andrology for male infertility, ensure that each patient receives tailored care addressing their unique circumstances.
With a commitment to excellence and a focus on pioneering techniques, Institut Marquès continues to be a global leader in the realm of fertility services, providing hope and solutions to those seeking to build their families.
Pioneering Assisted Reproduction
Institut Marquès, named after the Marquès family, represents four generations of gynecologists with almost 100 years of history. Led by Dr. Borja Marquès, their main goal is to help families with fertility issues achieve parenthood. Setting themselves apart from other centers, they are dedicated exclusively to Assisted Reproduction and Gynecology, constantly seeking improvement and innovation. Upholding principles of honesty, transparency, quality, and safety, they invest in Research, Development, and Innovation to enhance their treatments and services continuously.
Dr. López-Teijón highlights that in the healthcare sector, the key technological challenges revolve around mobility and real-time location systems. These form the foundation for streamlining work processes within hospitals and facilitating the widespread integration of telemedicine across the healthcare system.
To address these challenges, many IT teams are expected to prioritize technology modernization. However, their focus will extend beyond short-term fixes, with an emphasis on building a strong and sustainable framework. This approach is crucial as it will enable rapid scalability of solutions in the years to come, ensuring that the healthcare industry can effectively adapt to future demands and advancements in technology. Dr. López-Teijón asserts, “We will need to invest in care team, communication and patient engagement tools that ensure data security and privacy, along with remote management capabilities.”
Response to Challenges and Transformation
The desire to have a child has not changed throughout the history of mankind, but the ways to achieve it are not the same. This very concept serves as Institut Marquès’ driving force, propelling them to assist individuals in their journey towards parenthood.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, affecting thousands of potential births. Institut Marquès’ centers had to close temporarily, while restrictions on international travel to Spain hindered those seeking better results and more compassionate legislation.
However, Institut Marquès swiftly responded to the situation, recognizing the need for adaptation. Embracing telemedicine, they introduced online consultations to cater to patients’ preferences and convenience. An essential innovation was the provision of online access to incubators, allowing individuals to witness the real-time development of their embryos through the Embryomobile App—an experience cherished more than ever during the pandemic.
Dr. López-Teijón emphasizes that the pandemic has instigated a transformative shift in our perception of health and illness. People now seek more health controls, access to information, transparency in medical practices, and sustainable solutions that minimize unnecessary travel. The experience has heightened the importance of humanized care and utmost respect for patients’ privacy.
Amidst the challenges, Institut Marquès remains committed to supporting individuals on their fertility journeys, while embracing technological advancements that empower patients and offer a more personalized and fulfilling experience.
Planting the Seeds of Change
For many years, Institut Marquès has been actively involved in championing the environmental cause. Their commitment is evident through extensive studies conducted since 2002, investigating the link between pollution and its detrimental impact on sperm quality and fertility. As a result of their research, they have become the sole institution in Spain to conduct a comprehensive comparative study of sperm.
The research has unveiled a concerning connection between toxic substances, known as endocrine disruptors, and environmental pollution, with an increase in infertility observed in highly industrialized regions. Armed with this evidence, Institut Marquès has taken a proactive approach to combat pollution in their own unique way.
In 2018, they introduced “The Embryo Forest,” a Corporate Social Responsibility project aimed at planting a tree for every child born thanks to their Assisted Reproduction treatments. This initiative offers new parents the opportunity to plant a tree in their child’s name, serving as a meaningful and eco-conscious gesture to celebrate new life.
Due to the overwhelming response to this project, Institut Marquès has expanded its environmental impact by collaborating with Treedom, a pioneering platform that empowers users to plant trees and follow the project’s progress online. Through this partnership, the Embryo Forest is now flourishing in Africa, contributing not only to environmental well-being but also fostering social and economic benefits within local communities.
Institut Marquès further extends its commitment to environmental causes by supporting the “Citizens for Science in Pesticide Regulation” manifesto. This collaboration involves a coalition of civil society, institutions, scientists, and legal experts advocating for reform in pesticide usage within the European Union, promoting sustainable and science-based regulations.
By intertwining their expertise in fertility treatments with a profound dedication to environmental preservation, Institut Marquès leads the way in making a positive impact on both future generations and the planet we all call home.
Adapting to Evolving Needs
The landscape of patients seeking reproductive assistance is continuously evolving, reflecting the dynamic changes in the society. Institut Marquès recognizes the importance of catering to these new profiles of patients, ensuring that its services remain relevant and effective in addressing diverse needs.
Dr. López-Teijón strongly believes that technology’s constant evolution necessitates a proactive approach to innovation in healthcare. Her personal goal is to continue driving progress through research and development, with a keen focus on streamlining processes and enhancing patient experiences. She further adds that Institut Marquès will continue to innovate and adapt around its latest findings to ensure it remains successful in all its endeavors.
Pursuit of Excellence
Dr. López-Teijón acknowledges that every journey towards success is bound to encounter roadblocks and challenges. However, Institut Marquès has triumphed over these obstacles through sheer hard work, unwavering enthusiasm, and a team comprising the very best professionals. Thanks to their collective efforts, the center celebrates the birth of hundreds of children every year, bringing joy to numerous families.
While sharing her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, she stresses the importance of pursuing excellence. Excellence, according to her, is not about achieving perfection or attempting to predict the future. Instead, it involves daring to forge ahead with innovative and courageous projects, ones that have the potential to shape the future in groundbreaking ways. Dr. López-Teijón firmly believes that excellence is a state of mind, requiring determination, ingenuity, and a sense of enjoyment in the process. It means surpassing expectations and setting new standards of success.
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