Saint Paul VI Institute

11/05/2025

We're excited to share this feature from The Leaven Catholic Newspaper highlighting how the Saint Paul VI Institute provides ethical, pro-life alternatives to infertility treatments like IVF. Through NaProTechnology and our Creighton Model, we focus on diagnosing and healing root causes—helping couples like Cloe and Erin find hope and new life.

“You can’t throw the same medication at the same five women and have the same results.”

11/03/2025

We're thrilled to share highlights from our recent Gianna FertilityCare Practitioner Education Program (EPI), held from September 26 to October 4, 2025, at the beautiful Notre Dame Retreat Center in Canandaigua, NY—overlooking the stunning Canandaigua Lake, one of Western New York's iconic Finger Lakes!

We welcomed 5 dedicated students (plus one adorable baby tagging along 😊) from North Carolina, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Lebanon. Led by our experienced educators Anne Olek and Kathy Rivet, with insights from Medical Consultant Dr. Angela Kristan, the program was a wonderful blend of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

During a well-deserved break, the group enjoyed some time by the lake, soaking in the serene views. And after the program wrapped up, one student's delayed flight turned into an unexpected adventure—a trip to Niagara Falls with a boat ride on the Maid of the Mist! Everyone got delightfully drenched, but the memories were worth it.

We're so grateful for these opportunities to train the next generation of FertilityCare Practitioners.

10/27/2025

Today, our staff celebrated the graduation of our esteemed Fellow, Dr. Jessica Miller! We hosted a party upstairs where she presented her research on "Sex-Based Differences in Track and Field Performance." Staff celebrated with cake as she received her certificates.

Congratulations, Dr. Miller, and thank you for your outstanding work!

10/21/2025

Last week, the Saint Paul VI Institute hosted its 48th class for our Education Program — phase 1 for the 2025-2026 year. We had 53 amazing students from 12 countries and 17 states. Thank you all for joining this mission of life and love!

09/05/2025

The Saint Paul VI Institute is at the Catholic Medical Association’s Annual Educational Conference in Kansas City! Come by our booth and say hello, we'd love to see you!

09/02/2025

We are thrilled to share highlights from the First Brazilian FertilityCare Professionals Meeting, held July 10–13. This gathering united 18 practitioners and 14 physicians—over half of Brazil’s FertilityCare team—representing various states. For those who couldn’t attend in person, they printed photos of their faces to include them in the picture—showcasing the full scope of the Brazilian team! Together, they shared daily Mass, moments of Adoration, clinical case discussions, bioethics conversations, and meaningful fellowship.

During the event, they honored the co-developers of the Creighton Model FertilityCare System—Dr. Thomas Hilgers, Sue Hilgers, Diane Daly, and Ann Prebil—whose images were projected as a tribute to their groundbreaking work. Standing before them were the Brazilian doctors and practitioners who have boldly said “yes” to this mission. Together, they are spreading the Creighton Model across Brazil, planting seeds without knowing the harvest. May God bless them abundantly in continuing the Saint Paul VI Institute’s mission in Brazil!

08/19/2025

Dr. Ana Almeida, a Medical Consultant trained by the Saint Paul VI Institute Education Program, is contributing to the expansion of life-affirming women’s health care from Omaha to Portugal, showcasing the global impact of your support!

From Santarém, Portugal, Dr. Almeida, a family medicine specialist, serves a diverse patient base at Saint Dominic’s Health Care Unit. During her residency, she faced a mandate to prescribe contraceptives but sought alternatives, which led her to the NaProTechnology program. Now pursuing dual certification to practice and teach the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, she aims to empower her patients with effective solutions that address the root causes of infertility.

Dr. Almeida’s passion for NaProTechnology was ignited in medical school through guidance from her spiritual director. By applying these methods to understand her own cycle, she strengthened her dedication to family medicine. “Understanding our body aligns us with our Creator’s design,” she shares, viewing the reproductive cycle as a profound gift. One of her patients, a father of two, remarked, “Learning about my wife’s cycle deepened my appreciation for our family’s purpose.”

In Portugal, there is increasing interest in natural methods among those concerned about contraception’s side effects or seeking alternatives to IVF. However, some colleagues remain skeptical, often perceiving these approaches as outdated. Dr. Almeida is working to establish partnerships that support the integration of NaProTechnology into medical education, demonstrating that these natural methods offer scientifically valid and healthier alternatives to the artificial solutions found in mainstream medicine.

07/23/2025

Dr. Matthew Becker’s Journey: Transforming Lives Through Faith and NaProTechnology.

We’re excited to share the inspiring story of Dr. Matthew Becker, a student in the Saint Paul VI Institute Education Program, whose journey showcases the impact of your support.

From Evansville, Indiana, Dr. Becker grew up Catholic, but he fully embraced his faith while in college, a turning point shared with his girlfriend, now his wife of four years. He was first introduced to NaProTechnology while attending Marian University’s medical school in Indianapolis in a rotation with Dr. Bill Blanke—a family physician and graduate of the Saint Paul VI Institute. Captivated by the Creighton Model’s natural approach to human fertility, Dr. Becker found a calling in family medicine and obstetrics.

This experience shaped his career. Drawn to family medicine’s holistic care—supporting women and their families from adolescence through pregnancy and beyond—he chose it over OB-GYN. Now in his final residency year in Peoria, Illinois, Dr. Becker plans to return to Evansville to practice alongside Dr. Blanke, focusing on outpatient family medicine, NaProTechnology, and vaginal obstetrics. A father of two, he and his wife have used the Creighton Model for over five years, inspired by its effectiveness.

Dr. Becker’s path—from uncertain medical student to dedicated physician—reflects the Saint Paul VI Institute Education Program’s mission to train compassionate, faith-driven healthcare leaders. Your generosity fuels stories like his, equipping professionals to serve communities with expertise and care.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Becker’s impact and consider supporting our mission to train more like him. Together, we’re building a healthier, more hopeful future in life-affirming women’s healthcare!

07/11/2025

The Saint Paul VI Institute had an incredible time at the Australasian FertilityCare Conference in Australia! Dr. Teresa Hilgers met with the FertilityCare Australasia Board of Directors, including Dr. Ciara Ross, Genevieve Burton, and Dr. Amanda Lamont (pictured here), for an inspiring event held from June 27–29, 2025.

Dr. Hilgers delivered presentations on luteinized unruptured follicles, recurrent miscarriage, and surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY, contributing to a resounding success that united passionate professionals dedicated to advancing women’s health.

FertilityCare Australasia also kicked off their Education Program (EP I) on June 30th, empowering practitioners to make a difference in this part of the world. Visit fccau.org to learn more about their incredible work!

06/24/2025

The annual meeting of the Society of Procreative Surgeons took place from June 6–8, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, our society proudly unites St. John Paul II Fellows trained in the advanced medical and surgical applications of NaProTechnology through the Pope Saint John Paul II Fellowship Program. Together, we’re shaping the future of life-affirming women’s healthcare!