Pacific Fertility Center continues to expand and grow. You may wonder what is needed to expand a medical practice? We are excited to introduce one of many new faces that are providing a new direction to PFC. We asked our new Director of Development to tell us about himself and about his role at Pacific Fertility Center. Here’s what he shared:

Hello my name is Robb Mayberry. I was recently hired as the Director of Development for Pacific Fertility Center. While I have always considered California my home, I am actually the product of a military family. Being a member of my family meant adapting to frequent moves. I was born in Seattle, Washington, the eldest of three children and the only son. Early in my childhood I have had the opportunity to live overseas in Madrid, Spain, then back to the US in Colorado, and ultimately in Northern California. Most of my important developing years were spent right here in the Bay Area, with brief stints of living as far south as San Diego, as far north as Redding and as central as Sacramento. So, I have definitely seen all corners of our beautiful state. Experiencing the world this way at a very young age has given me an appreciation and desire to travel, something I love to do when I’m not at home or at a San Francisco Giants game.

Struggling with which career path to take while in college, I dabbled a little in political science, theater and drama, and some psychology. While they were all fun or interesting, they weren’t really for me. At the suggestion of my father, I enrolled in a communications course, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communications courses I explored, seemed to be the perfect fit, so I went on to receive my Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations and Broadcasting.

After college, I spent a brief period of my career in the hospitality industry as a concierge with a few upscale hotels in Colorado and here in California. During this time I had the opportunity to meet some interesting people including presidents, celebrities, and even a ghost from time to time. You see, some of the hotels had a reputation for being haunted and being that it is October, I thought it appropriate to mention.

Eventually, I chose to move from the hotel industry into healthcare and soon discovered I enjoyed working for and communicating with physicians. I have spent almost 20 years in the healthcare industry and have worked in small and large medical groups, Healthcare Maintenance Organizations, and hospital systems. While each organization operates a little differently, one goal has always been prevalent: the patient’s outcome is the most important, true measure of success.

Throughout my career, one of the most common questions I have been asked is: “Why do physicians or medical organizations need someone to engage in marketing or public relations?” My usual response is, “The healthcare industry, as with most industries, has drastically changed over the past 20 years. There is more competition, new technological developments, and customer expectations are higher. Physicians have studied for many years to learn how to serve the needs of the patient, not to how to write press releases.” As the Director of Development for Pacific Fertility Center my responsibilities will include assisting in the branding and image development of the organization; overseeing all Pacific Fertility Center publications; fielding all media inquiries; orchestrating press conferences and press releases; coordinating trade shows and educational seminars; and serving as the liaison for our referring physician’s offices.

I am excited to be a part of a team where the physicians are not only respected experts in their specialty, but compassionate human beings. The staff at Pacific Fertility Center is truly the most professional and caring. I am looking forward to a rewarding and challenging experience with my new family, as we work to build healthy new families.

Robb Mayberry

I emigrated from Uzbekistan to America with my parents and two daughters (Isabella and Elina) in January of 1996. It was a bittersweet experience to leave behind my home, my friends, and my profession, but I was giving my children the ability to pursue a better future. Adjusting to the change would have been a lot more difficult if it weren’t for the US government organizations that helped my family financially. Also, we were lucky enough to arrive to San Francisco – the best city in the world. We all fell in love with San Francisco at first sight. At the same time we recognized that we have to work hard to be worthy residents of this beautiful city and country.

Though I immensely enjoyed working as a criminal defense lawyer in Uzbekistan, I did not have the time to simultaneously get a U.S. degree in law and support my two children. Therefore, I went to study medical billing and had my first job at Complete Medical Billing. I later accepted a job at a dental office where I honed my medical billing skills further. Several years later, I joined Pacific Fertility Center, which has and continues to be an interesting and enjoyable experience with a friendly environment. Though I am merely a medical biller, I still have a lot of pride working in a company that gives families the gift of life. I have been very vocal about my job because I feel that PFC is an invaluable company and I am grateful to be a part of it.

On a personal note, my daughter Isabella is working as a business analyst and has a four-year-old daughter who I love and of whom I am immensely proud.

Elina has just finished her freshmen year at USF and plans to pursue employment law in the future. After living in America for eleven years, I have not come to regret my move. It has presented my children with opportunities both on a personal and academic level, has made me a stronger person, and has widened my ability to uphold Jewish holidays more openly than I was capable of doing in Uzbekistan.

I look forward to many more years at PFC and appreciate the skills I have learned and the people I have met.

Asya

My Name is Rosemarie S. Tagle. I am the billing manager at Pacific Fertility Center. I was born in the Philippines, the youngest child in a family of six children–three boys and three girls. Our parents brought us to America to seek a better life and for better opportunities. We immigrated to the U.S. when I was only three years old. We were fortunate that our father served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II because this gave him preferential treatment; we were classified as non-quota immigrants and were able to come to the U.S. without any problems; others weren’t as lucky.

In 1967, my family sailed to the United States on the USS Cleveland Cruise Ship. At the time, with six children in tow, it was the most economical way to travel. The journey took us nineteen days. We disembarked at Pier 37 in San Francisco. Waiting for us was our father who arrived a year earlier to get settled and prepare for our arrival. We have remained in San Francisco ever since.

I chose a secure career in the health care field and obtained my Medical Assistant certificate at Bryman College in San Francisco. My first job was working in an Ophthalmology practice. It was a one-physician office with a receptionist, the doctor and me. I enjoyed being a Medical Assistant; however, when a position for Office Manager became available in the Ophthalmology practice, I was ready for more challenging work. I applied for and was offered the job and stayed with that practice for the next fifteen (15) years.

The practice grew during those years from just two to a total of nine employees under my management as well as an addition of an Optometrist and an Optician. Eventually, the office expanded to include the first Optical boutique in San Francisco. Sadly, I left the practice in 2000 after Dr. Leon B. Metz, Jr., the physician for whom I worked, developed cancer and passed away. I was devastated. Dr. Metz, along with his wife and children, became my close friends over the years. I credit Dr. Metz for teaching me the ropes of running a practice well and helping me grow. Though I had the opportunity to continue to work at the office, I decided that it was time to move on.

Shortly after my decision to leave, I heard of a job opportunity at Pacific Fertility Center. At the time, I knew little about IVF or other fertility treatments, but it sounded like an interesting place to work. In 2001 I joined the PFC team. Although I knew it would be an adjustment moving from a small office to a larger one, it did not take long for me to realize that I was going to enjoy working at PFC.

On a personal note, I am the mother of two children; my daughter is 23 years old, and my son is 20 years old. My daughter is a nursing student at San Francisco City College. My son is in the process of obtaining his Barber license and is hoping to open his own shop. I also have a five-year old granddaughter who is in kindergarten and is my pride and joy. During my free time, I take ballroom and Salsa classes, and occasionally have the opportunity to perform.

I also enjoy taking classes at San Francisco City College where I recently obtained an A.S. degree in Administration of Justice/Criminology and a certificate in Forensic Science. I came to this new degree in the process of trying to help a relative who was in trouble with the law. My family and relatives were struggling to understand what was happening, so I became the family’s resource for “information interpretation” and stepped in where I could to help during the justice process.

I have learned so much since I started at PFC six years ago. Working here has been a very rewarding and challenging experience. Being the financial manager allows me to see first hand the financial sacrifices that couples and/or individuals make on their journey to becoming parents. I am proud to be a part of a team that can help fulfill that dream. I admire and respect each of the physicians, as well as the rest of the PFC team for their total commitment and dedication to providing the best possible care to patients without reservation. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this team and to be working towards the same goal. Being a manager in any medical practice is always a good way to help people, but this practice is special. We are in the business of giving the gift of life.

Rosemarie S. Tagle

Who am I?
Hello my name is Elizabeth Zeiter and I was born and raised right here in Northern California. I come from a family of doctors and health professionals, so naturally I had a desire to study medicine too. The summer before college I attended a National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine where I confirmed my interest in the medical field. That fall, I began my life journey on the road to become a doctor at the University of California at Davis. For two years I studied math and science. At the end of a stressful second year, I knew that I needed a break, so I decided to take a quarter off and explore my other passion. I have always been drawn to people and their cultures. My new schedule consisted of history, sociology, anthropology and international relations classes. This gave me an opportunity to learn and understand the many backgrounds and traditions of the diverse people with whom I lived with and attended classes. It was at this point that I decided to go down a different path. I received a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. My last year of college I began an internship with the American Cancer Society promoting a breast cancer early detection program with the Latina community of Yolo County. I was hired full time right out of college and worked until the grant funding ran out. I took advantage of my time off and decided to travel and explore Europe.

How I found PFC?
Back from Europe, fresh and ready to join the work force again, I began an optimistic hunt for a job. I knew that I wanted a position that would both satisfy my passion for medicine and love for humanity. So I went from job interview to job interview and no luck. I decided to temp for a while and continue to job hunt. I stumbled across a position at PFC. I did not know much about IVF, IUI and egg donors, but it sounded interesting. After meeting Dr. Ryan and Dr. Schriock, I knew that this was the place for me.

My Experience at PFC?
My experience at PFC has been very rewarding. I am surrounded by compassionate people working towards our one goal, helping patients build a healthy family. As Program Manager of the Egg Donor Agency, I have the opportunity to work with both egg donors and recipients. My position allows me to learn a great deal about medicine and technology and permits me to share my compassion for humanity with people from all over the world who desire to expand their family. Most importantly, I am at a job where I leave at the end of the day with a big smile because I have made a difference in someone’s life.

On a more personal level?
If I am not at PFC, I am taking off on a new adventure somewhere around the world to places I have never been before. I also love to volunteer my time to various charities and enjoy participating in group trainings for full and half marathons that raise awareness and money for a variety of special causes.

– Elizabeth Zeiter is Manager of Pacific Fertility Center Egg Donor Agency which is located in the same building as our fertility center. Ms. Zeiter facilitates the egg donation process for current and prospective egg donors and is readily available to answer donor and recipient questions regarding the egg donation process. She assists recipient patients with the process of choosing an egg donor, as well as coordinates communication between the Egg Donor Agency and the medical clinic.

UPDATE: Elizabeth is no longer the manager of the PFC EDA. For information on the current program director, Daragh Castaneda, click here. We wish Elizabeth luck in her all of her endeavors now that she has left the PFC family

It’s apropos that the title of my article is “my journey to PFC”. When you move from New York, to London, to San Francisco, are a part of two decades of assisted reproductive technology, and even take the time to fit in a stint at the San Francisco Symphony, you have indeed taken a “journey”.

I was born in New Rochelle, New York and was the eldest of two girls. However, outside of blueberries, hot sandy beaches, and the Easter Bunny, I remember little about my childhood in the United States. At the age of five, my family moved to London and I grew up in the very pleasant town of Enfield. Ultimately, I found my way into nursing. Interestingly, my sister became a sculptor – our parents certainly allowed us to follow our own paths!

1980 marked the start of my journey to PFC. After working for a while at an OR near London, I embarked on a six-month vacation to the United States. When I visited San Francisco, I just loved it. The city was so friendly and open; it was a very different experience. I returned to London where I worked in the operating department of the Royal Free Hospital, but my heart was in San Francisco and, four years later, I moved to the Bay Area.

My first jobs in San Francisco were as an usher at the San Francisco Symphony and a receptionist at a Homeopathic Clinic – a lovely break from the stresses of OR work. I enjoyed my time at both places, but clearly, nursing was ingrained in me. It was only a matter of time that I would find myself back in a healthcare setting. In 1986, I was an IVF Coordinator at an OB/GYN clinic in Berkeley, which was one of the first to have an in-office IVF program. Working with fertility patients was an empowering and positive experience and I learned a great deal in the 4 years I spent there. From there I went back to the OR, wondering if it was my calling. I worked at a surgery center in San Francisco and enjoyed the work and really liked the people.

However, on a whim, I responded to a job listing for an IVF coordinator at the San Francisco Center for Reproductive Medicine (SFCRM). I was told that the position had been filled. A few days later, I decided to call back and ask if I could leave my resume on file with them. They told me that the position had once again opened up. I took the job, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Working at SFCRM was a challenging and exciting experience. It was a rewarding and eye-opening experience—I had the opportunity to see a practice go from a tiny, empty office with bare walls to a busy full-service fertility clinic. I wore many hats during the early stages — I was an IVF coordinator, I purchased equipment, wrote protocols, and on occasion tackled problems with the antiquated plumbing system. Everyone worked exceptionally hard to get SFCRM off the ground and it was a true team effort. Drs. Herbert and Chenette joined SFCRM in 1992 and the practice grew and grew.

In 1999 Drs. Carolyn Givens, Eldon Schriock, and Isabelle Ryan and Drs. Carl Herbert and Philip Chenette joined together to form Pacific Fertility Center as it exists today.

My responsibilities have evolved over the years but my perspective and appreciation towards those who help individuals overcome infertility never wavers. I am truly fortunate to have an incredible team of nurses, medical assistants (MAs), and clinical coordinators. They work very hard together, and are key in providing care to patients as they navigate their treatment at PFC. Each one of them has gone “above and beyond” what I have asked. I think that truly speaks to the type of people they are.

As Director of Nursing, my role is far more “hands off” than it used to be. I do miss the more extensive patient contact, but with such a positive and supportive nursing team, I know our patients are in good hands. Some of my major responsibilities include: helping to ensure that we are compliant with the FDA, maintaining our accreditation and chairing our Quality Improvement Committee. I always have to keep in mind that my department does not function on its own – all departments depend on each other and have to work together to provide the best patient care.

What has made my experience in ART so exciting is that it is never static. When I first started in IVF the greatest improvement was moving from egg retrieval by laparoscopy to the current ultrasound guided method. Since then, there have been so many innovations that it is hard to remember them all. The changes and improvements quickly become the new standard of care.

I can only imagine what the future holds. It’s amazing how many changes I’ve seen over the years. Thankfully, I’ve been fortunate enough to work in an environment where change for the better is ongoing and accepted. This gives me confidence in knowing that we’re doing our best to help our patients.

– Karen Volpe, R.N.

As many of us do, I began a career in one area and discovered my true passion along the way. I began as a teacher in Long Island. After working for several years as a teacher for students in special education, I moved to San Francisco in 1978.

During my early years in California, I continued to teach adolescents with special needs. I soon realized that what I enjoyed most of all was not teaching the classes, but the informal counseling and group sessions that happened outside of the normal classroom experience. This motivated me to return to the classroom for a Marriage and Family Therapist’s (MFT) degree.

Once I was licensed in 1984, I worked for a few more years in the school system as a counselor for Special Education students. Concomitantly, I began a private practice counseling women and couples. Both counseling settings were rewarding.

By the early 1990′s, after being inspired by work I did with another therapist, I left the school system and began training other counselors. It was exciting and a stimulating change of pace.

During this time I was going through some personal challenges. My husband and I had difficulty conceiving and subsequently underwent infertility treatments. Finally we became parents through adoption, a wonderful family building solution!

After the adoption, I took some time off from work to enjoy our daughter. Our daughter, adopted at birth, is a never-ending source of joy for both of us.

My passion followed my pain. During our trials with infertility we learned of Resolve and joined a support group. This greatly diminished our feeling of isolation. I went on to do adoption home studies, join the Board of Resolve of Northern California and lead support groups. Eventually, through word of mouth and referrals from Resolve, I began counseling infertility couples.

I have remained active in Resolve, coordinating their support services while on the board, speaking at conferences and agreeing to be the Keynote speaker in 1995. This year, 2006, I have been asked to sit on Resolve’s National Mental Health Advisory Board.

My career at Pacific Fertility Center began over 8 years ago with a referral from a colleague who knew of my work with infertility patients.

About that same time I began attending the ASRM Mental Health Professional Group (ASRM-MHPG) conferences. In 2001 I became co-chair of Internet Integration Task Force to organize a worldwide online community of therapists for the group (ASRM-MHPG).

I find the topics tackled by this professional group fascinating. It assists in developing guidelines for the infertility industry, especially on the many ethical issues surrounding egg donation as well as guidelines and protocols for protecting the donors and the recipients. As an active member of the MHPG community, I have served as secretary/treasurer, newsletter editor, program chair for the mental health portion of the ASRM conference in 2005 and am in the 3rd year sitting on the executive committee. I am looking forward to my new responsibilities as the 2006-7 chair of ASRM’s MHPG.

In general, this group allows me to learn from the mostly PhD/research oriented group and communicate with therapists dealing with infertility issues from all over the world.

My involvement with this research oriented group has piqued my interest in developing a study at Pacific Fertility Center which would further our understanding of stress as it relates to infertility.

– Peggy Orlin, MFT

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.

When I was in high school my mother said I should go to a finishing school where I might meet a nice man. I never quite got that connection and instead went to Washington D.C. to study design. I graduated and worked as an interior designer for 5 years. My design career began during the Vietnam years. Interior design did not feel sincere or altruistic enough for me at the time. I yearned to make a real difference in peoples lives.

In 1968 I moved to Cambridge, marched for women’s rights and generally became more of an activist. I took a job for two years at the local state mental institution and worked as an attendant on a locked ward for chronically ill women. By the summer of 1969 I had moved further from the mainstream, became a “hippie” and among other things, hitchhiked back from Woodstock.

It soon became clear to me that if I were to be of service to others in the way that I envisioned, a nursing degree would help. So off I went, traveling from one coast to the other to live in Southern California near family members. After 2 years I began nursing school.

Why the delay? Well I met a nice man and had a baby. That was a slight detour from my plan, but it only served to steady my goal. After graduating from nursing school I began working in an OB/GYN‘s office. The routine work was not what I was looking for.

I later took a course at UCLA studying Lamaze and taught classes for a while at Cedars Sinai. I enjoyed teaching, however at the time I was also undergoing fertility treatment. Teaching pregnant couples, being genuinely happy for them, yet yearning for my own pregnancy made for a very bittersweet experience. It’s something that those of us who have lived with infertility cannot easily explain to others. How can I explain what it feels like to see pregnant women or women strolling with their babies along Montana Avenue? My family thought I was crazy to work so hard to get pregnant saying things like “just be happy with the one child you have”. It was my second marriage and I truly wanted to share a family with him.

After 2 years of IUI’s every other month, we went through an IVF cycle. We borrowed money from his grandmother and gave it our all. Alas, it was not to be. Needless to say I was heartbroken. I wanted to move on to an ovum donor cycle, but my husband didn’t. I struggled to accept that we were finished trying. In time, I came to know what it takes to make peace with that part of myself that yearned for the experience of family as I hoped it would be. We gave it our best and the outcome was out of our control.

A few months later a friend told me about a job working in a fertility office coordinating cycles for couples going through infertility. After a bit of reflection, I knew this was what I was meant to do. The nurse who had coordinated my cycle was compassionate, strong and encouraging, all qualities that I admired.

My daughter was in her teens when I was trying to get pregnant. When she reached 19 she announced to the family she was going to be an egg donor. She knew how hard it was for me not to be able to conceive and she wanted to help others in a similar situation. We said, “No, wait a few more years.” At 21 she became an egg donor and went through three egg donation cycles. Now she has her own family. She has kept the thank you cards from each of her couples and continues to feel that she contributed something very special to those who were in need of help.

For me, it has been at least 15 years since I became a coordinator. I am just as engaged in the process and cherish the relationships with patients that have come my way. I continue to wish them all happiness and success along their journey. I am also so grateful to have two grandsons who are the light and joy of my life. • Allison Chamberlaine, RN

Allison Chamberlaine, RN is a registered nurse with 15 years of experience in the field of infertility. Her depth of experience provides her valuable insight into caring for those experiencing infertility. She has been affiliated with Pacific Fertility Center since 1996. Ms. Chamberlaine currently coordinates care for individuals involved in third party family building at Pacific Fertility Center and co-leads stress reduction classes for Mind/Body@PFC. Ms. Chamberlaine’s professional associations include the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and RESOLVE. She has been a speaker at the Resolve Symposiums. In addition to her infertility nursing, Ms. Chamberlaine enjoys the practice of Tai Chi and Hatha yoga and gardening. She has been involved with Siddha Yoga meditation for 22 years, has participated in 4 retreats with The Dali Lama and has taught meditation and relaxation techniques for over 20 years. In line with her long history of teaching meditation and relaxation techniques, and her belief that emotional support and self-nurturing activities are important for those experiencing infertility, she has received Mind/Body Teacher Training with Alice Domar, PhD. (Dr. Alice Domar, a pioneer in the development of mind/body programs for infertility.)

I grew up in Ireland in a small fishing town on the North West coast called Killybegs. My parents were keen for me and my 4 brothers to have a good education so we were all marched off to boarding school at age 12 where we were indoctrinated with a good classic Catholic education. At University I studied Biology and Agricultural Science, much to the disappointment of my parents who wanted me to become an accountant.

After graduation I applied for and secured an embryology job at London’s Hammersmith Hospital. The training was hard, and we were a small team doing a lot of IVF cycles. Other than the lab director, there was just one other embryologist – an andrology technician – to handle and process all sperm samples – and me. It was 1988 and the medications that prevent patients from spontaneously ovulating during an IVF cycle were just coming on line. Without these medications, we were doing oocyte retrievals at all times of the day and night, and occasionally patients ovulated before we could get to do their retrievals.

Retrievals were performed laparoscopically in the operating room, but if emergency surgeries tied up resources through the night, cycles were lost.

During this time, Hammersmith’s lab was performing groundbreaking work on Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The lab collaborated with USA’s PGD pioneer Mark Hughes, MD, PhD. Over the years Dr. Hughes and I have continued to collaborate. (PGD has come a long way in over a decade!) After 3 years as an embryologist, I enrolled in a PhD program at the University of London where I studied embryo metabolism and development. I continued to work as an embryologist on weekends to fund my studies and was finally done by the end of 1994.

I was very fortunate to make the acquaintance of Professor Roger Pedersen from UCSF during my final summer in London and he invited me to come to San Francisco to join the IVF team at the University of California, San Francisco. As luck would have it, I had just won a Green Card in the immigration lottery that the US government holds each year, so I was keen on a move to the US.

The IVF program at UCSF was small at the time but over a period of 5 years, under the direction of Dr. Schriock and Dr. Givens, we built it into one of the largest and successful IVF programs in the country. I particularly enjoyed learning and working with Dr. Paul Turek, one of the nation’s leading male fertility physicians. We had enormous satisfaction making Dads out of guys that had been told that they would never have kids, and after 5 years we had outgrown our space.

Dr. Schriock and Dr. Givens invited Dr. Ryan and me to join them in a new adventure with Drs. Herbert and Chenette. Pacific Fertility Center was purchased late in 1999 and San Francisco Center for Reproductive Medicine (SFCRM) and Pacific Fertility Center merged. For 3 years, we ran both offices, but in 2003 decided to consolidate and close the SFCRM office. Having all five physicians in one office and one laboratory to run was a wonderful change and made life easier on all of us.

Running the laboratory at Pacific Fertility Center is a fascinating and interesting job: there’s never a dull moment. I am fortunate to have one of the country’s most experienced and qualified groups of embryologists working here and we are a close-knit group of talented people. Our job best suits individuals with a compulsive nature, extraordinary manual dexterity and a positive work ethic. As a group, we like to have fun and we socialize a lot outside the office, but we also take our work very seriously.

In addition to running the lab here, I have many extra curricular activities that I enjoy. I am a faculty member at San Francisco State University where I teach Reproductive Technologies to graduate students. Together with other members of the lab staff, I inspect other IVF facilities on behalf of our accreditation authority, the College of American Pathologists, but I also enjoy informal visits to other labs for educational purposes. I do some consulting for smaller facilities that don’t have access to good resources and I sit on a couple of scientific advisory boards. I am a member of the board setting the embryology, andrology and laboratory director certification examinations that ultimately allow individuals to become High-complexity Clinical laboratory Directors (HCLD).

On a more personal note, I was married in Hawaii this past September and I now live in Half Moon Bay with my son Tom (7), my wife Leslie, and her daughter Julie (4). Leslie teaches Advanced Placement Biotechnology at San Mateo High School. We are very happy with our busy Bay Area lives. In January, I’ll be entering my 13th year here, which is longer than I’ve ever lived anywhere. This is home now

– Joe Conaghan, PhD, HCLD

Patients repeatedly commend our friendly staff members at PFC but frequently do not know their names. Laurie, whose story follows, is often referred to as “The nice woman at the front desk with blonde hair.” We at PFC thought our readers would enjoy being able to put a name with that face and even better, the story behind the face.

From the time I was very young, I imagined myself being a nurse. I enjoyed helping people and have always wanted to work where I was able to help people in a way that mattered.

I chose to train as a medical assistant to get my foot in the door of the medical field. Unfortunately, I found that while I was good at drawing blood, seeing blood in any other fashion made me woozy. After a while I came to realize that being a member of a support staff could also be helpful and rewarding work, so I decided to explore that option.

I have now been working in medical settings for 18 years. This summer will mark my 13th year with Pacific Fertility Center. My husband and I believe 13 is a lucky number and I feel fortunate to have a job where I can make a difference, not only by helping PFC patients, but also by being a contributing member of the front desk team.

As much as I enjoy my work, I relish my time away from the office. Each summer my husband and I go to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska for one month. We camp on our small lot, roughing it and enjoying every moment of each 22-hour day.

Our stories of the world-class salmon fishing and the meals of delicious salmon (smoked to perfection by my husband) have often tempted our friends to come for a visit. We enjoy taking them for a ride on our boat up and down the Kenai River and sharing our love of the amazing beauty of Alaska.

Once I return home to Novato, I revert to being a homebody in the 21st century: reading, gardening and designing our “someday” house.

Although I am naturally an upbeat, happy person, there are times when I can’t help but be affected by a patient’s difficult situation. In fact all of us at the front desk silently root for patients; we may shed a tear at news of a failed cycle and or share the joy of a positive pregnancy test.

Though we may not always be able to communicate our sentiments, we care about our patients and want every one to find success here at PFC.

– Laurie