I grew up in Southern Mindanao, Philippines as one of five children. My parents were important role models in my life. As you can imagine, having ambitious career goals was essential where I came from, as both parents were educators. I wanted to be an accomplished professional just like them. When it came time to choosing a career, I chose medicine. While in the Philippines, I attended medical school and practiced as a primary care physician in a rural area, delivered babies and performed minor surgeries.

The 1980s marked significant change in my life—none bigger than having two children. During this time I also moved from the Philippines to the United States. Although I was no longer taking on duties as a physician, my career in women’s medicine was just taking off. My first job in the states was at an OB/GYN’s office in Oakland followed by an IVF clinic in Berkeley. These experiences were enjoyable and once the wonderful twin doctors I worked for retired, I longed for the opportunity to work at a bigger practice. A bigger practice affords more specific, systematic job responsibilities. While at the IVF clinic in Berkeley, I became acquainted with Pam Reck. Pam took a job at Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) as a clinical coordinator and I eventually followed suit. When I joined PFC in 2002, I worked at the Laurel Ave. office, and, in 2003, joined the PFC family on Francisco St., coordinating IVF cycles.

My experience here at PFC has been highly rewarding. In particular, being an IVF coordinator allows you to have ongoing patient contact. You feel like you’re a part of the entire treatment process—coordinating cycles, preparing patients to get ready for their IVF by overseeing pre-cycle requirements, and working out schedules. I think patients also find it helpful to know they have someone dedicated to ensuring their experience at PFC runs smoothly. Patients undergoing an IVF cycle have a lot on their minds. They need and deserve comprehensive care. PFC nurse coordinators perform an important role. In fact, PFC has nurse coordinators for different infertility treatments—be it third party coordinators, IUI coordinators, and IVF coordinators. Clearly, patients are a priority here, not a number.

I must say that there’s never a dull moment at Pacific Fertility Center. The innovation is constant. Over the years, I’ve seen enormous improvements in assisted reproductive technology (ART). This keeps me on my toes. Boredom is non-existent.

I continue to be impressed by the technology and people at PFC. Our doctors do a great job of helping staff and patients understand the technical aspects of ART. They also work well collaboratively. There’s very much a team environment without a lot of hierarchy. We have ongoing staff and laboratory meetings, which keep the communication open. They also allow you to learn about the different departments, thereby improving our working relationships.

The beauty about PFC is that we make a difference. It’s heartwarming to see how much patients appreciate our care. This experience also provides a different perspective into fertility. I, like a lot of people, once thought that individuals who didn’t have children did so by choice. Sometimes that’s the case. Sometimes it isn’t. Having this perspective is helpful with respect to being sensitive to different patient emotions.

By working at PFC, things have come full circle. I cherish my friends and family more than ever. My husband and I have been married for 20 years. We have a 19 year-old son in college and 15-year-old daughter in high school. Both bring us never-ending joy. It’s amazing to see how quickly they’ve grown up. I truly wish every patient who comes to PFC has a successful outcome and experiences the joy a child brings.

Appreciating family, however, doesn’t make me unique to PFC. After all, family is our specialty.

– Doris Dalida

Doris Dalida, one of Pacific Fertility Center’s IVF Coordinators, assists patients through the entire IVF treatment cycle. Her extensive background working in OB/GYN offices and IVF clinics provides a valuable role in the care IVF patients receive. She currently resides in Richmond, California with her husband and two children.

Tags: PFC Doctors & Specialists, What's New @ PFC?

This entry was posted on Monday, February 20th, 2006 at 7:03 pm and is filed under PFC Spotlight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.