Education
Liley graduated from Otago Medical School at the University of Otago in Dunedin, in 1954.
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William Liley
Edit ProfileObstetrician university professor
Career
After a period at Australian National University in Canberra, he returned to Auckland where he worked for the rest of his life except for a brief period at Columbia University. While in Auckland he held a number of posts, including at Auckland University, National Women"s Hospital and the Medical Research Council of New Zealand (now the Health Research Council of New Zealand). In 1963, after three unsuccessful attempts, Liley successfully carried out the first ever successful intrauterine blood transfusion.
The fetus had Rh disease/hemolytic disease and had been expected to die before birth.
The highly publicised procedure was a milestone in not only medical treatment but also public perception. Initially the procedure had a success rate of only about 40%, but this rose over time.
He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Liley was one of the founders of the New Zealand anti-abortion group, the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (now Voice for Life), in 1971 and served as that organisation"s first president
In 1977, Robert Sassone edited a series of interviews with Liley and Jérôme Lejeune, entitled The Tiniest Humans.
Liley committed suicide in 1983. Since 2004 the Health Research Council of New Zealand has annually awarded the in recognition of an outstanding contribution to medical research. 2015: Ian Reid, prominent in international bone research (also awarded the Rutherford Medal)
2014: Edward Gane, Auckland City Hospital
2011: Chris Pemberton, University of Otago
2010: Stephen Robertson (doctor) University of Otago
2009: Allan Herbison, University of Otago
2008: Ted Baker, University of Auckland and Philippa Howden-Chapman, University of Otago
2007: Innes Asher, University of Auckland
2006: Lianne Woodward, University of Canterbury
2005: Richard Faull, University of Auckland
2004: Richie Poulton, University of Otago.
Achievements
Membership
Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
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Born
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Died
June 15, 1983 (aged 54) -
Nationality
New Zealand
Education
Awards
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Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Rutherford Medal; Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, King George III.The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later King George IV, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, King George III.