Meet with a Registered Dietitian and:

Nutrition consultations consist of:

 Not sure if you are a candidate for nutritional counseling?

Set up a time for a free 20 minute phone chat with the dietitian to find out!

Ask a member of the front desk or call 415-834-3000 for more information or to set up an appointment.

Alison Boden, MPH, Registered Dietitian

Alison received her undergraduate degree from UC Davis, followed by graduate training in nutrition and public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  As a practitioner of integrative nutrition she takes a holistic approach to wellness, recognizing that the foundation for optimal health and healing begins with a health promoting diet. Her emphasis is on using medical nutrition interventions to create a basis for health promotion and healing.

A lover of good food, Alison believes that a healthful diet should be thoughtful, enjoyable and satisfying.  Each meal does not only provide calories, but is an opportunity to supply our organs with the nutrients and building blocks needed for health. When the body is out of balance, as in the case of infertility, proper food choices can correct deficiencies and bring balance back to the system. What you eliminate from your diet is often as important as what you include. Consultations with Alison will help you address the key components of your diet that may be affecting your fertility and wellbeing, as well as help prepare your body for pregnancy.

Alison has experience assessing and counseling clients related to pregnancy and fertility, weight management, lipid control, food allergies, digestive health, sports nutrition, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, kidney disease and cancer. She views each person as a unique individual, and is dedicated to educating patients on natural ways to achieve optimal health and allowing them to take an active role in their health care decisions.

Alison is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Women’s Health and Integrative and Functional Medicine practice groups.

A statistic that we follow closely at PFC is our cumulative pregnancy rate in a given year.  This is defined as a patient’s chance of taking home a baby after one IVF cycle, but it includes the fresh embryo transfer and any frozen embryo transfers resulting from that one cycle.  These rates are shown in the table and are broken down into maternal age groups.  The numbers are calculated by looking at how many patients delivered a baby from their fresh transfer (43% of patients under age 35) and then adding in pregnancies achieved from the frozen embryos for patients that did not get pregnant in the fresh cycle (totals 64% of patients in this group).  So in this age group, 2 out of every 3 patients had a baby from just one IVF cycle.  Similarly, for patients doing a single cycle with donor oocytes, 74% had a baby.

Cumulative pregnancy rates have special importance since PFC is a national leader in reducing the number of embryos transferred at one time while still maintaining exceptionally high overall pregnancy rates.  One healthy baby at a time is the goal of fertility treatment at PFC and for every patient, a singleton pregnancy is the safest and most likely way to have a healthy baby.  At PFC we work carefully with every patient to reduce their exposure to a multiple pregnancy and all its risks for mother and baby.  And a big part of our strategy involves freezing embryos successfully so that we can use embryos conservatively and efficiently to generate more singleton pregnancies, and fewer multiples. Multiple pregnancies are a complication of IVF treatment, and we strive to avoid them. 

Patients with the highest risk for multiple pregnancy are those where maternal age is <35, doing their 1^st or 2^nd IVF cycle or those patients using donor eggs.  We encourage these individuals to transfer just a single embryo during their IVF cycle and to freeze their surplus embryos for use later.  The frozen embryo program has been so successful here at PFC that it provides very high pregnancy rates for those patients that need to use their embryos from the freezer.  It also means that we don’t have to risk transferring many embryos in the fresh IVF cycle because we have the frozen embryos as a back-up. And most patients that are doing elective single embryo transfer qualify for one of PFC’s financial plans (e.g. the refund plan) that include the cost of frozen embryo transfer cycles in the original price.

We believe that using embryos conservatively is the safest treatment.  And we don’t see big differences in pregnancy rates between patients that transferred just one embryo vs. those that transferred 2.  In fact, patients that received donor eggs and transferred 1 or 2 embryos had the same delivery rates, but those transferring 2 had a 35% twin rate.  In our efforts to reduce this twin rate, we are now transferring 1 embryo 60% of the time in the donor egg program, and 40% of the time in patients aged less than 35.

We want our patients to have healthy babies and we are working to make this possible while still maintaining high success rates.  Our goal is one healthy baby at a time.

 - Joe Conaghan, Ph.D., HCLD & Embryologist Erin Fischer

Growing up in a small town in New England, where the population of dairy cows outnumbered townspeople and the nearest neighbors were miles away, gave me the desire to work with people. As an Amherst College student in Massachusetts, my anthropology studies led me to an economic development project in eastern Africa. Upon my return the social and economic needs of people right here in the United States became more clear to me. My honors thesis included field work with homeless populations in southern California documenting their remarkably savvy ways of engaging in local politics and with the media to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

As a graduate student at the University of Southern California I studied visual anthropology and media production in the schools of Anthropology and Film and Television. I received a Masters Degree in Film Production with an emphasis on ethnographic film.  My focus then shifted to interactive communications. I spent several years working for companies in Northern California that were developing low-cost and easy to use interactive technologies that would enable increased communication among distributed populations. I worked in usability and market research, which meant discovering how people interacted with these products in order to improve their usability and user experience.

After my experience in communications, I returned to a more anthropology focused career.  I joined a UCSF research team studying fertility decision-making.  For the next 8 years I worked in the field of medical anthropology with an incredible team of experts that included a distinguished Reproductive Endocrinologist and a pioneering Medical Anthropologist conducting research into patient experiences and decision-making with reproductive technologies and third-party reproduction. I worked with scores of patients who had experienced infertility and benefited from reproductive technologies to build their families. This turned out to be a great synthesis of my interest in people in their personal and social contexts and my love for technology which has continuously motivated me to better understand how social and technological innovation can be used to improve the quality of peoples’ lives.

I am privileged to now work with the amazing talent at Pacific Fertility, where as a Research Analyst on Cynthia Willson’s team, I shepherd clinical studies that continue to increase our understanding of human reproduction and the ways in which new and old technologies may improve fertility outcomes and patient experiences. One of our current studies investigates how the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine such as Acupuncture may affect birth outcomes and patient quality of life during treatment. Patients enrolling in this study may have the opportunity to receive acupuncture treatments before and during IVF at our in-house acupuncture clinic as well as having some IVF medications donated while they are in the study. I also have the honor to be helping conduct a trial of a ground-breaking imaging technology that is designed to predict which embryos at early stages of development will be most likely to result in viable blastocysts and subsequent pregnancies and births. Patients enrolling in this study are helping future IVF patients improve their chances for success while they also may be eligible to receive some reimbursement of IVF expenses. New studies are in the works that will be expanding our knowledge about the role of genetics in treatment as well as aspects of patient decision-making. Stay tuned for updates as research opportunities become available.  I am incredibly excited to be at the crossroads between the highest standards of treatment and patient care and new technological innovation that will continue to allow more people to create their treasured families.

We appreciate your interest in research opportunities at Pacific Fertility Center (PFC). As a private practice we are committed to conducting research that will promote and advance the field of reproductive medicine. We welcome your questions about potential participation in research, also known as a “clinical study”.

Currently, PFC has several research opportunities for which you may be eligible. If you would like further information regarding research opportunities at PFC, please ask your physician. The opportunities for which you may be eligible can be identified and discussed at your physician consult. At that time you may be connected with research personnel who can guide you through the process.

If you are not a current PFC patient, please contact our New Patient Coordinators to make an appointment to speak with one of our physicians. 415-834-3095.

Our Active Studies include the following:

A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL OF THE EFFECT OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE ON IVF SUCCESS RATES

Who Is Sponsoring This Study?

 The study is Sponsored by Pacific Fertility Center and is overseen by Eldon Schriock, M.D. Grant support providing medications and funding for study development has been provided by EMD Serono, a biopharmaceutical company.

What is the Purpose of This Study?

The purpose of this study is to determine the value of combining Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Protocols including acupuncture with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

The Auxogyn Eeva Study

Who Is Doing The Study?

Auxogyn, Inc. has selected Pacific Fertility Center as one of several centers to participate in The Auxogyn Eeva Study

Why Are We Doing This Study

Auxogyn is initiating a clinical study in an effort to submit data to the FDA to support the claim that the Eeva System may be used to identify embryos at day 2 that are most likely to form blastocysts. As a result, the Eeva System Study is an investigational study and is a non-significant risk device.

How Data Will Be Used

The data collected in this study are intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Eeva System to successfully capture and record images of embryo development within a standard incubator and accurately identify those embryos on day 2 that are most likely to form blastocysts. The results may lead to effective methods for embryologists to identify the most viable embryos so that embryo implantation and pregnancy outcome may be significantly improved for future IVF patients. A higher success rate such as that seen with blastocyst transfer may be achieved for day 2 embryo transfer by using the Eeva System to select embryos; therefore, the adverse events associated with extended culture may be avoided. It may also facilitate implementation of single embryo transfer on cleavage stage (day 2 or day 3) and reduce multiple pregnancies. In summary, this new technology may increase IVF success rates within a given cycle and improve pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Impact of Parental Support on Pregnancy Outcomes (IPSO) Trial- Day 3 Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) With Day 5 Fresh Transfer

Who Is Doing The Study?

Gene Security Network (GSN) has selected Pacific Fertility Center as one of several centers to participate in The IPSO Trial

Why Are We Doing This Study?

The purpose of the study is to determine whether PGS – testing of embryos created during IVF for chromosome abnormalities prior to transfer to the uterus – improves pregnancy and implantation rates in patients when compared to patients whose embryos are not tested. PGS will be conducted using 24 Chromosome Aneuploidy Screening with Parental Support from Gene Security Network

PCRS Meeting Review

Pacific Fertility Center’s team directed the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society’s annual meeting in April this year.  Dr. Carolyn Givens was President of the Society and Dr. Joe Conaghan was Program Co-Chair at the meeting this year.  And what a meeting it was!

Optimizing success rates for patients was the focus, with presentations on “Improving Live Birth Rates”, videos on the importance of early embryo development, optimizing treatment protocols, and early embryo testing.  There were sessions on stress reduction, discussions on single embryo transfer, healthy debates between experts, and conversations about new advances that will improve patient care.

Alice Domar, Richard Tucker, Michael Alper and Richard Scott were among the luminaries presenting at the meeting.  Right alongside them was Joe Conaghan, Carolyn Givens, Lauri Black, and Paul Turek with matching skills and knowledge.  All were directed at improving care for our patients.

Pacific Coast Reproductive Society is one of the important professional organizations supporting fertility care.  Although they are a West Coast organization by title, Pacific Coast has developed national and international status in our field by focusing on the patients. As described on their website, “PCRS provides an outstanding forum for the exchange of information, and the advancement of the ideologies of reproductive medicine in a relaxed and collegial setting building relationships that foster the integration of current knowledge to ensure quality medical care for patients.”

Pacific Fertility Center is pleased to support Pacific Coast Reproductive Society.  We are looking forward to applying these advances, and already working on the new advances we will be talking about next year!

-Philip Chenette, M.D.

Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Highlights

One of the highlights of this year’s meeting was a talk by Sheryl Kingsberg, Ph.D., a Professor in the Dept. of Reproductive Biology and the Chief of the Division of Behavioral Medicine at Case Western University. Dr. Kingsberg’s area of expertise is in Human Sexuality and sexual disorders in women. She gave an excellent synopsis of “normal” sexuality in our culture and how we have come to view and define that norm. She also provided background on the physiology of sexual excitement and sexual response in women. She spoke about the different classifications of sexual disorders, which includes Hypo-active Sexual Desire Disorder (what we know as low libido), Sexual Aversion Disorder, Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, Female Orgasmic Disorder, and the Pain Disorders: Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and Vaginismus (localized vaginal and vulvar pain).

Dr Kingsberg also covered the topic of sexual dysfunction and sexual function. One of the most valuable things she discussed was that doctors should use a sexual function checklist. Here is the checklist she presented:

Please answer the following questions about your overall sexual function in the past 3 months or more:

Please answer the following questions about your overall sexual function in the past 3 months or more:

1. Are you satisfied with your sexual function?
   • Yes
   • No              If no, please continue.
2. How long have you been dissatisfied with your sexual function?
3. The problem(s) with your sexual function is: (mark one or more):
   1. Problems with little or no interest in sex
   2. Problems with decreased genital sensation (feeling)
   3. Problems with decreased vaginal lubrication (dryness)
   4. Problems reaching orgasm
   5. Problems with pain during sex
   6. Other
4. Which problem is most bothersome?  Circle one: 1  2  3  4  5  6 
5. Would you like to talk about it with your doctor?
   • Yes
   • No

Many of us at the conference realized there is a need to identify and assist our fertility patients that also may be suffering from sexual dysfunction. We need to spend a few moments covering this topic with our patients. We will be considering how to add these types of questions to our current patient history forms. We want to identify the patients with sexual dysfunction in addition to fertility problems so we may assist them in finding the appropriate resources for treatment.

-Carolyn Givens, M.D.

Genetic Testing Breakthrough

Genetic screening techniques are a prime topic of research and dialogue in the IVF community.  We continue to seek techniques that are 1) accurate, 2) have quick turnaround times for results, and are 3) versatile enough to be able to give a breadth of testing results on one embryo, as well as 4) cost effective.

One of the exciting presentations at PCRS was by a firm called Gene Security Network (GSN), whose laboratory is in Redwood City, CA. GSN has been on the forefront of providing pre-implantation embryo genetic testing which is accurate, covers all 23 pairs of chromosomes including the sex chromosomes, and provides results within 24-48 hours post embryo biopsy (therefore negating the need to freeze embryos while waiting for the genetic results, as with the CGH technique). This technique, developed by GSN, is called Parental Support.

Parental Support is a new technology for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) that tests all 24 chromosomes in a single cell from an embryo (called a blastomere) for a variety of genetic abnormalities. The test reliability typically exceeds 99% and results are returned within 24 hours in time for Day 5 embryo transfer.

Single gene mutations (such as cystic fibrosis) have been traditionally tested for as one genetic test only.  Dual testing, the ability to test for both single gene mutation and aneuploidy screening was not able to be done accurately or easily.  GSN has been working on this challenge of dual testing, and had just announced the birth of the first baby born after such dual screening—a healthy baby girl.

This announcement was also exciting for us, since the patient who is now a proud parent of a healthy baby, was a PFC patient.

We continue to collaborate with GSN on current and upcoming clinical trials, pushing the frontiers of genetic testing of embryos, and of diagnostic testing that promotes the creation of healthiest babies possible.

-Isabelle Ryan, M.D.

I had a case recently which demonstrated to me the utility of Gene Security Network’s (GSN) Microarray Chromosome Analysis with Parental Support.  A 40 year old patient had previously had a miscarriage and underwent a D&C procedure, complicated by her hemorrhage and appropriate vigorous curettage.  Following that procedure, her endometrial cavity appeared compromised with both filmy and dense adhesions found at a subsequent hysteroscopy.  Some of the adhesions were lysed but the question of the competency of her uterus remained.

She conceived again with fertility treatment but had a fetus that underwent demise between the 6 and the 7 week ultrasounds.  I really wanted to know if the pregnancy loss was due to her uterine compromise or due to fetal aneuploidy. 

We performed a suction D&C and the chorionic villi as well as a sample of maternal blood was sent to GSN for Microarray Chromosome Analysis evaluation.  The results of this testing indicated a fetal karyotype of 47,XX,+10 (Trisomy 10).  Unique to this testing, GSN was able to determine that the abnormality was of maternal origin.  Also, if the result had been 46,XX,GSN would have been able to definitively rule out maternal cell contamination (MCC). GSN provided me with a report in less than a week.

With this information, we knew we could proceed on without further treatment to her uterus.  We considered egg donation because it was likely this loss was due to the egg and subsequent embryo’s chromosomal non-disjunction and it was less likely to be a uterine issue.  GSN’s POC testing helped me guide this patient’s future treatment decisions.

-Carolyn Givens, M.D.

Advances in research & development bring a deeper understanding of infertility:

Modern fertility science is changing treatment, enabling better pregnancy rates.  A healthy child for every person suffering from fertility problems remains Pacific Fertility Center’s goal.  Through a better understanding of the egg and embryo we are  closer to delivering on that promise of one healthy baby at a time.

The problem of the aging egg:

The aging egg remains a very basic problem in fertility.  As a woman ages, her eggs do not work as well, resulting in embryos that do not develop or implant.  Mistakes in early cell division, chromosomes, and development become common.  With an aging egg, pregnancy rates are lower and miscarriage risk higher.

Finding that healthy egg can be a problem.  For a twenty year old, roughly 1 in 3 of her eggs will be healthy.  For a woman over forty, less than 1 in 20.  This continues to be a real and ongoing challenge for our patients.

One way to work around this problem is to increase the number of eggs.  Starting with more eggs gives a better chance of finding at least one that is healthy.  Once we have a batch of eggs, the problem emerges of trying to choose the best out of the group.  Which egg is most likely to achieve pregnancy?

Research of early egg and embryo development:

We are excited to share that we are currently working with a privately held medical technology company, along with several other centers in the Bay Area, on a new investigational imaging device in the early stages of development.  We can now observe, using a video microscope, the early stages of embryo development.

Knowledge of the way an embryo develops, the early cell division, when and how, promises to improve selection of embryos.  Over a several year period at Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Renee Pera, in collaboration with Stanford colleagues, Dr. Barry Behr (Associate Professor and IVF Lab Director), Dr. Thomas Baer (Executive Director of the Stanford Photonics Research Center), and post-doctoral fellows Dr. Connie Wong and Dr. Kevin Loewke, conducted ground-breaking research into early human embryo development.  Looking at embryos in their first few days of development, the team identified an elegant set of imaging parameters by day 2 that accurately identified embryos that develop to the blastocyst stage.

Through the use of precision imaging technology coupled with novel measurements, embryologists may be able to choose the best embryos more accurately and consistently.  Published last year in Nature Biotechnology, Time magazine named the discovery one of the 10 medical breakthroughs of 2010.

Dr. Renee Reijo Pera, Ph.D.

Dr. Renee Reijo Pera, a leader of the team that published this study, understands these problems, working with them in a research lab for the last twenty years.  She is now bringing that knowledge to clinical medicine.

Dr. Pera received her PhD from Cornell University, and later worked in David Page’s lab at the Whitehead Institute.  While working with Dr. Page, she discovered a gene on the Y chromosome that was involved in male fertility called the DAZ (Deleted in AZospermia) gene.  As it turns out, the gene accounts for a significant proportion of male infertility and tests for this gene are now routine for men with low sperm counts.

Now, as Director of Stanford University’s Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education, Dr. Pera’s focus is on understanding issues related to human reproductive failure.  The questions she and her team are addressing encompass issues such as Egg formation and development, as well as what triggers cell division and formation of a healthy embryo

Fertility care will change based on Dr. Pera’s research on early development of eggs and embryos.  This work has vast implications for the future of treatment and prevention of infertility.  In her exploration, she is finding new ways of thinking about old fertility problems.  Dr. Pera’s work will strongly influence medicine and clinical realm for years to come.

At Pacific Fertility Center we are committed to bringing advanced science to the clinic.  We are finding major changes in our understanding of early egg and embryo development and anticipate continuing to lead the way in bringing these advances to help our patients have one healthy baby at a time.

-Philip Chenette, M.D.

Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, I have been a transplant to the Bay Area ever since starting graduate school in 1996.  I remained in the area for the fabulous professional opportunities.  It was here I met my husband and now am also blessed with a son.  I have always had a deep appreciation and love of nature.  Living in the Bay Area has allowed me to nurture this passion in the form of surfing, sailing and most recently snowshoeing.

I began my career as a practicing genetic counselor in the spring of 1998 when I accepted a position at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center in the Departments of Reproductive Genetics and Urology just prior to completing my graduate work at the University of California Berkeley’s Genetic Counseling Program.  It was my good fortune to begin my career with some of the most influential physicians in the field of reproductive medicine:  Eldon Schriock, Carolyn Givens, Isabelle Ryan and Paul Turek. In addition, I worked with Dr. Joe Conaghan to build the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Program at UCSF.    These physicians moved from UCSF to PFC, and soon after I moved from UCSF to California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC).  I was able then to re-establish our collaborative efforts with the additional advantage of working with the experienced Drs. Carl Herbert and Philip Chenette. We have learned much from each other over the years and continue to foster wonderful professional and personal relationships. In December of 2010, I left CPMC to branch out into private practice.  I am thrilled to be working more closely with the providers and patients at PFC in my new role as an in-house genetic counselor. 

As a genetic counselor, I am a health care professional trained in human genetics and counseling. I have a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling and in 1999 was certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.  Genetic counselors practice in several subspecialty areas of genetics, including assisted reproduction technologies, infertility genetics, and prenatal diagnosis.  My job is to help you understand the complex information regarding your situation and enable you to make an informed decision as to what’s best for you. 

The most common reason your infertility doctor would refer you for a consultation is to discuss the testing of embryos.  There are two basic types of testing. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is the testing of embryos for a specific genetic disease known in the family.  Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is the testing of embryos for general chromosome abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

The two main objectives in a genetic consultation for PGD/S are  family history review and informed consent.  During the review of family history, I take at least a three generation family tree (pedigree) to identify any additional genetic risks.  This process helps to clarify the correct type of PGD/S being offered, as well as to identify any additional testing that might be appropriate.  Medical records may be requested for review if there is a significant family history or to document familial mutations for PGD. This part of the consultation is typically less time consuming.

The informed consent portion of the consult includes an in depth discussion of the PGD/S process, from beginning to end, and a review of the information in the consent form.  For those who have already had IVF treatment, some of this explanation may be familiar.  However, as complex as the process of IVF is, embryo testing adds yet another layer of complexity.  In addition to the steps in the IVF process, there are the biopsy procedures, the testing of a single or more cells for specific chromosome abnormalities, DNA markers, and/or gene mutations, and then the review of the PGD/S report results prior to embryo transfer.  My job is to guide you through this process mentally, prior to the actual cycle, so hopefully there are no unanticipated outcomes for you.  Even more critical is the consent form review before signing.  Consent forms are designed to inform and protect patients.  Important information is contained in the consent form, including risks and limitations of PGD/S, as well as the purpose of the procedure and the diagnostic technique.  The informed consent portion of the consultation is typically the more in depth part of the discussion and is intended to address all of your questions about this option prior to your cycle start. I am available to answer these questions and witness your signature.   The entire consultation usually lasts one and a half to two hours depending on the type of testing being discussed and the number of questions you have.

I also work with the PFC Egg Donor Agency to provide genetic risk assessment for all prospective ovum donors. The EDA has implemented this protocol to ensure that their donors have been screened in accordance to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines. Any genetic risk from family history is addressed.  This screening is just one of the ways the EDA works to optimize your pregnancy outcome when using an ovum donor.

In addition, I am available on request to provide a genetic risk assessment for you, even if there is no embryo testing or ovum donor included in your treatment cycle.  Some of you may have questions concerning conditions in your families, and want to discuss what impact that history may have on your or your children’s future health.  Discuss these concerns with your infertility doctor, so they may determine whether a genetic risk assessment consultation is appropriate for you. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to work directly with PFC.  I wish all of you the best in your family building pursuits.

Most sincerely,

Lauri Black, MS, CGC

Certified Genetic Counselor

I was born, the youngest of two children, in the 60’s in a small town in the Texas panhandle.  My brother and I were raised without too much drama in our lives other than the occasional dislocated shoulder or athletic sprain. We were very involved with community activities including church, sports, music and the arts. My parents took us all over the country to visit various cities for its culture and museums.  Additionally, I have always had a passion for reading. Too many books, too little time!

I started college still living in a fantasy world.  I, like most of the girls around me, thought I was going to get my MRS. Degree and find a husband.  I dreamt of that big house with the white picket fence with two and a half kids and a dog.  I joined a sorority and after 2 years had almost completed a degree in Home Economics with a minor in English.  However, I realized that becoming a Home Economics teacher, especially since I had to pay someone to do my sewing project, was not exactly a good fit for me. So I dropped out of college. 

My mother was attending a meeting at the Methodist Hospital ran across a flyer on the wall about a Nurses Aid training program, and encouraged me to attend. I instantly fell in love with anatomy and physiology, the aspects of treatment and the art of healing.  It was at this point when I realized that medicine was in my future.  So off I went to South Plains College for their Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Training program. After completing my training I returned to work for Methodist Hospital.

In time, with the encouragement of friends and the financial backing of my family I moved ahead and attended the University of Texas, RN, BSN program in Houston, TX. 

Upon completion of my BSN degree, I accepted a position in the Maternal Fetal Medicine unit at Hermann Hospital in Houston and loved it.  After nearly 2 years, I became a traveling nurse, which first brought me to California. My first position was at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles and later Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose.  I always gravitated toward taking care of the high risk moms.

In 1990 I moved to the Bay Area and took a job at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in their labor and delivery unit.  It was there I learned about a research nursing job and thought this was something I might be interested in.  I have always loved trying to understand why things happen and what could we do better.

After two years at UCSF I was offered a job as a research nurse trainer with a Device Company.  I flew all over the country training physicians who were studying our new product on how to obtain samples and collect data.  During my travels, I befriended a physician in New York who later became the Department Chair of OB/GYN at New York University Medical Center.  I moved east to assist him in setting up his Maternal Fetal Medicine practice, Antenatal Testing Center and later to expand his research department.  Since that time I have had many opportunities in the Pharmaceutical, device, and academic world.  However, they all led me back to the Bay Area. Since my return I have worked in various aspects of research including Genentech, UCSF-Kidney Transplant, and Stanford School of Medicine.  I have continued my love for research in the world of high risk pregnancy and now infertility, which seem to go hand in hand.

Since arriving at Pacific Fertility Center in April, I have worked with a world class team of physicians and support staff. I have never had the privilege of working in such a wonderful organization that has a balance of both clinical and academic expertise. I am honored to be a part of Pacific Fertility Center. I look forward to building a world class research program as well as a non profit organization that will provide continued research and innovation in the world of infertility and ART.

Pacific Fertility Center (PFC) is excited to announce our new Research Program, focused on advancing the ART of conception through research.  Supervised by our new Director of Research, Cynthia Willson, R.N. BSN, PFC’s Research Program assures that patients will have access to the latest scientific and technological advancements.  Our new program will maintain Pacific Fertility Center’s place as one of the West Coast’s leaders in fertility medicine. 

We want you to know that all study protocols are evaluated for scientific merit by the Pacific Fertility Center Medical Board.  Standards for study planning, informed consent, and safeguards are rigorously maintained. Research at PFC meets the standards developed by the federal Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) branch of the Department of Human Health and Services.  The OHRP has established criteria for oversight and review by an independent Investigational Review Board (IRB). 

Currently, PFC has several ongoing research opportunities and others that are to be initiated at the first of the year.  For further information feel free to browse our web site at www.pacificfertilitycenter.com/research.

One study open to enrollment at this time is utilizing an investigational new drug. The title of the study is “Effectiveness and Safety Research Study of a Single Injection of Investigational Drug compared to Daily recFSH Injections in Women Undergoing Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (PURSUE)”

Who Is Doing This Study?

Schering-Plough Research Institute has selected Pacific Fertility Center as one of about 35 study sites located in the United States to participate.

Why Are We Doing This Study?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a single injection of corifollitropin alfa (an investigational drug) in inducing the development of multiple follicles, compared to daily injections of recFSH (300 IU [international units]). The number of fetuses (unborn babies) with heart activity (also referred to as a vital pregnancy) conceived in study subjects, along with the number of growing follicles, the number of eggs retrieved, the number of viable (good quality) embryos and the number of babies born will be determined as part of the objectives of this study.

Who is eligible?

Females who are:

• Suffering from infertility
• 35-42 years of age
• Weigh at least 110.3 lbs and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 18 but no more than 32
• Have regular spontaneous menstrual cycles every 24 to 35 days
• Will use their partner’s sperm derived from ejaculation or that of a sperm donor

This list is not all-inclusive.  If you have questions regarding your eligibility to participate in this study, or would like to schedule an appointment for an evaluation, please contact us at 415-834-3095.

-Carolyn Givens, M.D. & Cynthia Willson, R.N., BSN