The change is spurred by Mary Lasker, the wife of advertising mogul Albert Lasker.

WSJ: Cancer Society hits 100 as US cancer rate falls

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Dr. Edwards received the 2001 Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research.

WSJ: Robert Edwards, Pioneer of In Vitro Fertilization

He had to wait until 1973 to receive the Albert Lasker award, considered America's leading prize for medical research.

ECONOMIST: Paul Zoll