Biography
Prof. Marc L’Hermite was born in Brussels in 1943. He holds the following degrees awarded by the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium): MD (1967), PhD (1973) & DSci (1978). He trained in obstetrics & gynecology at the University hospital Saint-Pierre in Brussels.
Dr. L’Hermite received postdoctoral fellowships from both the Belgian American Educational Foundation & the Population Council (New York) to perform research at the Reproductive Endocrinology Program of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mi., USA). During this stay, he got an original idea to develop a radioimmunoassay for human prolactin. At that time (1971), he so became one of the only two researchers worldwide able to measure prolactin in human blood, thus contributing to definitely establishing the true existence of this hormone in humans. After several years spent to study the physiopathology of this hormone, mostly in women, he wrote a clinical thesis on the topic of human physiopathology of prolactin, for which he got the additional degree of doctor in sciences.
Experience
He continued to be simultaneously quite active in the clinical practice of Ob&Gyn, as well as in clinical research in infertility, contraception, reproductive endocrinology & menopause. Dr. L’Hermite has been among the founders of the International Menopause Society. In 1984, he became professor of obstetrics & gynecology at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, as well as Head of the Ob&Gyn Department of the University Hospital Brugmann in Brussels. Becoming emeritus professor in 2008, due to his age, Pr. L’Hermite remained scientifically fully active, mainly in the field of menopause. He is still member of the editorial board of Climacteric (reviewing many papers for this journal), as well as of the Endocrine US Society, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) & of course of the Belgian Menopause Society. Lately he wrote several review papers about proper use of bioidentical hormones in the menopause.
Research & Education
Pr. L’Hermite became member of many scientific societies, wrote numerous scientific papers, presented numerous lectures & conferences, & chaired many scientific sessions, mostly at international meetings. He has also been quite active in the teaching of doctors-to-be, of doctors specializing in Ob&Gyn & in continuing education of MD, generalists & specialists. As a Past President, he is also honorary member of the Royal College of French-speaking Ob&Gyn of Belgium.
