I met Ellis more than 25 years ago when we worked together at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Barts, London. He was very quiet and would often sit by himself at lunchtime. I would walk past, greet him, and that’s how our friendship began. He met my family, and the rest is history. We often had research meetings on Tuesday afternoons. Ellis was the first embryologist I heard mention that clinics were moving on to blastocyst freezing of embryos. Fast forward — and here we are now. One memorable moment was during my visit to Ghana, when Ellis took me to the Akosombo Dam. We ate at a restaurant near its banks. I enjoyed the experience. His creativity, authenticity, and intelligence always bring a smile to my face. He loves to see the best in people. If I had to sum up our bond in one word, it would be genuine. He always wants the best for me. My birthday wish for Ellis is that God will continue to bless him beyond his wildest dreams. May He bless Ellis’s family, and may his latter years be greater than the former. Yemi I first met Ellis in April 2019. From our first interaction, he came across as a lovable person — sociable, very knowledgeable, and intelligent. There have been quite a number of memorable moments, but the ones that stand out are during consultations with clients. The way he explains things clearly, with insight and ease, always amazes me. Most clients leave his consulting room completely fascinated by him. One thing about Ellis that always makes me smile: when I keep reminding him about something at work, he’ll say, “Rose, you’re harassing and terrorising me!” If I had to choose one phrase to describe our bond, it would be: not just a boss or mentor, but a father figure. In this new season, may God bless you with good health, long life, abundant love and wealth — and may you reap the full fruits of your labour. Rosemary Essah I met Ellis sometime in 2012 when I began my IVF practice journey. It’s hard to recall the exact moment, but what I do remember clearly is how easy it was to connect with him — sharp-minded, approachable, and deeply committed to excellence. One standout memory was when Ellis, as lead embryologist, helped our young IVF centre achieve over 80% pregnancy success for our second batch of cases. That was a monumental milestone, and his guidance played a huge role. Today, as Ruma Fertility and Specialist Hospital Ltd, we proudly count him as part of our success story. There have been many light-hearted moments, but one that sticks out was after a FERSOG meeting when we found ourselves at Gold Restaurant. Let’s just say the beer servings were giant, and Ellis rose to the occasion. If I had to choose one word to describe our bond, it would be unbreakable. Happy Birthday, Ellis! I wish you the best of health and God’s protection in this chaotic world and contentment in life. Rudolph K. Adageba I met Dr. Ellis many years ago. Right away, I could tell he was the kind of person who puts others before himself — not out of obligation, but from the heart. One memorable experience I will never forget was feeling anxious about getting sick again when I went back home. Every time I was admitted, he made me feel completely safe and secure, like everything would be okay. A funny and endearing trait of Dr. Ellis is that every time I ask him something, he just smiles and replies with his signature line: “Are you okay?” Somehow, it always makes me laugh. If I could sum up our bond in just a few words, it would be Kribi and Kwoodwoo. That’s the special name he gave me and my sister — funny, unique, and pure Dr. Ellis. It’s more than a nickname; it’s a reminder of the laughs we’ve shared. My birthday wish for you, Dr. Ellis, is for good health and long life. Portia The Birthday Journal 47 E L L I S AT 6 0
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