About Dr Thomas W. Hilgers

On July 25th 1968, Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical letter Humanae vitae (of Human Life). In this document he rejected contraception and abortion and described it as a violation of the true meaning of marriage. He also put forth a challenge to scientists by writing, “We now wish to express our encouragement to men of science who can contribute much for the benefit of marriage and the family and for the peace of consciences, if by uniting their efforts they seek to shed more light on the various conditions that make possible a proper regulation of human procreation. It is particularly desirable that, according to the wish expressed by Pius XII, medical science succeed in providing a sufficiently secure basis for a regulation of births based on the observation if natural rhythms. In this way, scientists, and especially Catholic scientists, will contribute evidence to demonstrate that, as the Church teaches, “A true contradiction cannot exist between the divine laws pertaining to the transmission of life and those pertaining to the fostering of authentic conjugal love.”

This served as inspiration to Dr Thomas Hilgers, then a senior medical student to undertake his first research project in this field in 1968. After completing his residency, Dr Hilgers became a full time member at the faculty in the Department of Obstretics and Gynecology at St Louis University School of Medicine. There he established the St Louis University Natural Family Planning Center. In 1977, this work was brought to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Creighton University School of Medicine and it was during this time that Hilgers and his co workers developed the Creighton Model FertilityCare System.

Dr Hilgers subsequently used his expertise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to apply this basic research to the treatment of infertility, miscarriage and abnormal gynaecologic health. This resulted in the eventual development of Natural Procreative Technology or NaProTechnology® to treat these disorders in a methodical and objective fashion using the most contemporary gynaecologic techniques to enhance procreative potential.

Dr Hilgers and his wife Sue went on to establish the Pope Paul VI Institue for the Study of Human Reproduction. Hilgers has authored nearly 110 professional books, book chapters, and articles. In addition, he is the recipient of five different research awards including an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Assumption College, Worcester, Massachusetts and an honorary doctorate of Public Health from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

In 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed him to full membership in the Pontifical Academy for Life and with his wife, Susan he served for five years on the Pontifical Council for the Family. In 1997, the Nebraska Family Council named Dr. Hilgers Physician of the Year. In 2001, he was presented with the John Cardinal Wright Award by the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and in 2004 he was the recipient of the Linacre Award, one of the highest awards given by the Catholic Medical Association.

Through his tireless efforts, Dr Hilgers propelled the teaching and use of the Creighton Model system to an international level.

In the twenty-fifth year, following the initiation of the original research effort, Dr Hilgers personally gave a paper to Pope John Paul II describing the research and education activities of the Pope Paul VI Institute (June 18th 2001). In this paper Dr Hilgers wrote:

“In our work, we have been dedicated to conducting this work completely within the context of Catholic teaching. This has been our guidepost and our beacon. We have done this without apology and without shame. We have progressed boldly and at times with great difficulty because the contemporary society still does not understand what the Church is trying to say. My wife likes to say that over the last 25 years we have been “pilot testing” the teachings of the church and over these same 25 years we have more and more found how successful they can be to real people. While the Church is often ridiculed for its position on contraception, sterilisation, abortion and in vitro fertilisation (and other reproductive technologies), we have shown that these teachings are superior to those artificial reproductive approaches and that they maintain the moral integrity of one’s decision making, the dignity of the human person and the integrity of marriage and the family.

“As a scientist I have been completely guided by the philosophical and theological insights of the Church and they have directed my efforts and the efforts of my colleagues.

“I believe that NaProTechnology is the embodiment in a practical and everyday sense and from a medical and health perspective of the ‘theology of the body’ in actual practice. It has been our honor and privilege to conduct this research and to share these insights with you.”