About SGF

Celebrate Nurses Week

Shady Grove Fertility has more than 100 Registered Nurses on staff, over 70 of which are dedicated everyday to helping patients through their fertility journey.  Our large nursing staff allows us to provide each patient with highly personalized care from the new patient appointment to your ‘graduation’. Join us as we celebrate our amazing nursing staff by sharing your experience with your nurse on the form below. We would love to share your kind words with our amazing nurses.

Annandale Nursing Team Debra, Linda, Sonia, Jill & Pam(Not Pictured: Pam)	Annandale Weekend Nursing TeamKelly & Amy
Annapolis Nursing Team Jackie, Beth, Stacey, Crystal, Ann, Dana (Not Pictured: Stephanie)	GBMC Nursing Team Beth, Stephanie, Natalie, Alisha (Not Pictured: Bernie, Andrea)
Waldorf Nursing Team Sarah & Kristal	Baltimore Harbor Nursing Team Sonya and Priscilla
Fair Oaks Nursing Team Farrah, Kim, Taryn, Anne & Erika (Not Pictured: Jane and Doreen)	Administrative Nursing Team Elizabeth, Kathy, Marsha, Karen
Leesburg Nursing Team Christine, Chris, Shirley	Woodbridge Nursing TeamKala, Linda & Mary
Rockville Nursing Team Lilach, Mickey, Paige, Kendra, Juliana, Jessica, Debbie, Sheila (Not Pictured: Donna, Dew, Jenny)	Bel Air Nursing TeamTina and Bernie
Washington, DC – K Street Nursing Team Carrie, Heidi, Sarah, Nikki, Jennifer (Not Pictured: Laura)	Frederick Nursing Team Elizabeth and Angie
Frederick Nursing Team Jeannette, Betsy, Allison	Ambulatory Surgery Center Nursing Team Sherry, Lori, Rachel, Sabrina, Lori, Jane, Janet (Not Pictured: Michelle, Beth, Donna, Nicole, Carol, Hope, Lisa, Odette, Denise R, Susan, Denise B)
Donor Nursing Team Pam, Cerone, Gail, Pennye, Joan, Doris, Katrina, Vivian, Jan, Nydram Jackie, Michele, Margaret Ann, Patti (Not Pictured: Linda and Karen)	Washington, DC – Sibley Nursing Team Alison

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our friendly New Patient Liaisons by calling 888-761-1967.

Healthcare in America may not always receive the highest grades when it comes to convenience, affordability and especially overall patient satisfaction. Knowing that infertility is both an emotionally and physically taxing experience, Shady Grove Fertility Center strives to set itself apart from traditional healthcare practices by providing only the highest levels of support and service to our patients.

The mission at Shady Grove Fertility Center:
“Our Practice aims to consistently provide the highest level of patient care….Our primary role is to provide optimal patient care. This is manifested in all our intentions.”

The Importance of Timely Feedback

One way to better understand a patient’s experience is through surveys. In the past, surveys were distributed, compiled and reported on in a rudimentary way that was both time-consuming and manual. In late 2011, Shady Grove Fertility partnered with Press-Ganey, a world-leader in the healthcare field of patient informatics. Press-Ganey’s clients include well-known hospitals and outpatient centers throughout the U.S. Press-Ganey’s survey software distributes the surveys as an impartial 3rd party and reports survey results promptly so that refinements to our operations can be made more efficiently.

Different Needs for Different Patients

Four different surveys measure patients’ journeys and help us to continually improve ourselves and understand the needs of all of our patients.

Survey #1 – After New Patient Appointment

Survey #2 – After IVF Procedure

Survey #3 – After Transfer during Donor Egg Treatment

Survey #4 – After Completion of a Retrieval for Egg Donor

In striving to consistently provide the highest level of patient care, Shady Grove Fertility recognizes that our patients are individuals, with unique cares and concerns. Tailoring surveys to patients’ experiences allows us to learn more closely the key touch points and features that can create an excellent experience for our patients. We also learn about areas that may be problematic, which gives us great insight and the opportunity to improve.

The Surveys

The New Patient experience survey consists of 33 questions that take about 5-10 minutes to complete. The types of questions that are asked of New Patients include items related to the ease of scheduling their appointment, the level of explanation provided by their physician, the information provided by their nurse, and the amount of assistance provided by their financial counselor. Subjective commentary that can be helpful during surveys include things such as;

“Please include some signage to make it easier to locate your practice”

“The interior of your Waiting Room could be warmer and more inviting”

“I wish your phones were turned on earlier. I tried to reach the office early in the morning, but the Answering Machine was still on.”

“Best Part of the Experience: the courteousness and sympathy of the staff and the unrushed atmosphere of the office.”

“Best Part of the Experience: Everyone is very friendly and the office is well-organized and runs well.”

Upon completion of an IVF treatment cycle, patients receive a survey with questions outlining their experience throughout treatment. The questions on the survey aim to provide insight to their IVF injection class, their ASC/surgical experience, and if their treatment outcome was handled in a kind and caring manner. Feedback on recent IVF surveys include:

“Shady Grove is an amazing place. I have been consistently been impressed by the responsiveness of the staff and the quality of care. I feel lucky to be a patient.”

“Excellent and caring experience. We really value our experience.”

When patients using Donated Eggs complete a treatment cycle they are surveyed on topics regarding their donor selection process, and dealing with the various team members involved in their care.

“Coming from a foreign country we felt always good disposition, even seeing us on a Sunday. The information the doctor gave us was always satisfying”

“I am extremely impressed. I feel very well supported and believe that I have received the best treatment possible. This was not an easy road for me to take and your team has made it smooth and so normal!”

The Egg Donors in our Donor Program are also a group of our patients who are surveyed monthly after they complete their donation cycle. The 52-question survey asks about their time in the donor program and education provided as they completed their cycle.

“The staff a Shady Grove is excellent. It’s apparent that the practice strives for exceptionality and won’t settle for less. It was obvious to me that each staff member, doctor or otherwise, truly cared about me as a patient.”

“I liked the phone calls because it made the experience a little more personal, actually being able to speak with my nurse and ask questions right away.”

Survey questions give us objective numbers to follow and trend over time. Subjective patient comments provide outstanding commentary and insight into the good, as well as occasional problematic areas that exist and as a result, are acted and improved upon.

The Results

We are very pleased that among all surveyed groups, the ‘Overall Experience Scores’ range between 92-99% Good to Excellent, and the ‘Recommend this Practice’ results range between 95-99% likely to refer, for First Quarter 2012. This is tallied from a composite patient sample size of over 1100 patients during this timeframe who responded to our surveys.

The experience of each patient while at Shady Grove Fertility is always one of our top priorities. Patient surveys are another tool we use to continually improve the experience of each patient. All patients can expect the opportunity to share their feelings at the conclusion of their New Patient Appointment, IVF or Donor Egg treatment cycle.

If you have comments to share about any aspect of your Shady Grove patient experience, you don’t need to wait for a monthly survey! Please contact Service Quality Supervisor Kathy Bugge, RNC at 301-545-1222, or kathy.bugge@sgfertility.com.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our friendly New Patient Liaisons by calling 888-761-1967.

May is Military Appreciation Month.  At Shady Grove Fertility Center, we are proud of our employees and their family members who have served or are currently serving our country.  Through the years, we have supported several employees and spouses during periods of military deployment by providing flexible time off and supporting their wellbeing during active duty status.  As a result, we have been honored as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR).

Shady Grove Fertility Center would like to recognize all the men and women who serve our country. When we asked our staff how many of them served or who had a family member in the military, the response was overwhelming.

Read more about our honorable military families and share your appreciation of the armed forces people in your life.

My Name: Jeffrey L. McKeeby, MD
SGF Position: Physician in Annapolis, MD
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: Commander
Years of Service: 14 active, 4 reserve

Awards/Recognition: Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service with star, Meritorious Unit Commendation

Deployment: Support Relocation operation of Kurdish Refugees

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: I spent four years in Guam where I met the most amazing people, both military and civilian. Went to the island of Yap where men still wear loin cloths, and women wear grass skirts (and nothing else).

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?

Military service teaches you that for each of us there is a higher purpose and that teamwork is essential to any success. You learn to rely on others, and have others rely on you. Its ok if you don’t always get your way or what you want. But as Mick Jagger once said “you get what you need”.

Spending time overseas on duty to Japan, Iceland, and Guam as well as the ability to travel to far away places opens your mind to other people and ideas. Would not trade that time for anything.

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My Name: Marsha DeWeese
SGF Position: Clinical Operations Director
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: Commander/Nurse Corp
Years of Service: 24

Awards/Recognition: Navy Achievement; Navy Commendation; Navy Meritorious Service; many medals for serving in the Persian Gulf War

Deployment: Stationed at various duty stations on the East Coast and Midwest, plus Iceland and the USNS Comfort (hospital ship) during the Persian Gulf War in 1990

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: I loved the year I spent in Iceland – Iceland is a beautiful country, the people are lovely, and it was a great spot to catch hops to Europe. My 4 months on the USNS Comfort were definitely my most exciting times! We found out on a Thursday afternoon we would be leaving on Monday, and we had no idea when we would be back.

The USNS Comfort is a 1000 bed floating hospital and sailing across the Atlantic, thru the Suez Canal, and into the Persian Gulf was quite an experience along with setting up the ship to care for patients. I was able to spend a little time in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, neither place would I have ever visited if not for my time on the Comfort.

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?

The Navy Nurse Corp taught me flexibility, adaptability, and discipline which all of which have served me well in and out of the Navy. The military pushes you to grow, advance, and achieve and I obtained my BNS and MS while on active duty.

Plus, I met my husband while stationed at Great Lakes (he was a healthcare administrator in the Medical Service Corp, achieved the rank of Commander {went from E1 to O5}, and is now retired after 36 years in the Navy) and we have been married for 25 years – I could easily say he was my most important find in the Navy!

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My Name: Margaret Ann Connors
SGF Position: Nurse Practitioner, Donor Team
Branch: US Navy

Rank/Position: Captain Nurse Corps. Last position prior to retirement was “Team Leader” of over 300 military and civilian personnel belonging to the Women and Children’s Health “Product Line” and providing both inpatient and outpatient medical and nursing care.

Years of Service: 25

Awards/Recognition: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal(s), Navy Achievement Medal(s); Combat Action Ribbon; and numerous campaign ribbons for Operational deployments. Runner up Navy Medical Recruiter of the Year

Deployment: 1) 8 months on board USNS COMFORT during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. This was the “maiden voyage”. We spend the ride over cleaning up coal dust from Dundalk and “developing” the hospital.

2) 8 weeks on board USNS COMFORT during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Took casualties within a week of arrival in the Persian Gulf. We had Iraqi’s and US Military as well as Iraqi civilians as patients.

3) Numerous short deployments with the USMC when at Kanehoe MCB Hawaii

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: There are so many!! During my first deployment, I had been in the Navy approximately 11 years and never really felt a part of the Navy. The “cruise” to the Persian Gulf was a pretty uncomfortable feeling…we were going to war.

When we arrived in the Persian Gulf, we were greeted by the USS John F. Kennedy (I think) and welcomed by banners, cheers, and loud speakers. What a relief and a sense of belonging. I also felt SAFE.

How has serving in the military changed your life?
I taught me a tremendous sense of responsibility and what’s really important in life. It made me extremely flexible and able to adapt to any environment (if I want to!). I also have a variety of “best friends” all over the world.

Any skills you still use today?
Absolutely, I think my skill of paying attention to detail was instilled in me primarily by intimidating and tenacious Navy nurses. Although not necessarily attributable to the Navy, but possibly a result of the way I was raised, I don’t sweat the small stuff.

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My Name: Bianca Garces
SGF Position: Admin Asst., Donor Team
Branch: US Army
Rank/Position: Sergeant/ 92A- Automated Logistics Specialist
Years of Service: 11yrs and counting

Awards/Recognition: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserves Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Deployment: Operation Iraqi Freedom February 2004-February 2005, Operation Iraqi Freedom February 2008-December 2008

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving: All my fellow Soldiers that I have trained and served with. Those are relationships that are made with such little effort yet it seems like you’ve known each other for years. I’ve built friendships with such strong bonds! We are family.

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?

Its made me into the person I am today. I try not to take things for granted because of the things I’ve seen in my time. I value our freedom that some may not realize how lucky we really are to have. More importantly I’ve learned to be persistent and motivated towards my goals. I have to make things happen for myself, so quitting is not an option 🙂

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My Name: Terra Burton
SGF Position: Andrologist
Branch: US Army
Rank/Position: SGT
Years of Service: 8 years (Jan1999- May 2007)

Awards/Recognition: Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:Serving my country is a very rewarding memory in its own. However, I was fortunate to be apart of a humanitarian mission in Dominica Republic helping Dominicans who had never received medical attention.

To help less fortunate individuals with basic medical care and food and water was beyond belief. It brought sheer happiness and such appreciation to my life.

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?

I have such an appreciation for my health that I have taken for granted. Serving in the military gives you a feeling of honor that you cannot gain by having any other job. A feeling of meaning. I still and will always carry these feeling.

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My Name: Asia Winger
SGF Position: Patient Services
Branch: US Air Force
Rank/Position: Finance/Accounting, Military Pay Technician
Years of Service: 4

Awards/Recognition: Star Award and numerous Merit Awards
Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:Singing the National Anthem at Ceremonies such as Retirements

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
I would say the Military has made me mentally stronger. I learned that a big part of many of life’s challenges and obstacles are mental. The mind effects the way humans view everything.

Once people realize the power of the human mind then half the battle is already won. If I could do the whole military experience over again I definitely would.

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My Name: Lori Martin (pictured right)
SGF Position: Medical Assistant
Branch: US Air Force
Rank/Position: E-3
Years of Service: 2

Awards/Recognition: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal along with regular achievement medals.

Deployment: Operation Southern Watch, Ali Al Saleem Air Base, Kuwait 2001

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:Traveling, experiencing places I wouldnt normally visit

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
For an 18 year old that has only known living at home with my parents, going into the Air Force helped build my independence and showed me that nothing is impossible to achieve. Self Confidence.

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My Name: Kim Castillo
SGF Position: Nurse
Branch: US Navy
Rank/Position: E3
Years of Service: 3

Fondest or Most Exciting Memory of Serving:
I served during the Reagan years. Morale was high. I was stationed on San Clemente Island, a military only island about 80 miles off the coast of San Diego, CA. It was here that I met and married my best friend. That was twenty seven years ago.

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
My husband and I loved the military lifestyle. Meeting new and different people yet having one goal in common. The military also fit my personality, very structured.

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My Name: Steven & Jeanne Zito
SGF Position: Steve – Nurse Anesthetist; Jeanne – Nurse
Branch: US Air Force
Rank/Position: Nurse corp
Years of Service:  Steven – 8; Jeanne – 6

Deployment: We both were sent to Desert Storm under George Bush during our stay in the Miliary.

How has serving in the military changed your life? Any skills you still use today?
My husband and I loved the military lifestyle. Meeting new and different people yet having one goal in common. The military also fit my personality, very structured.

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My Name: Gwendolyn Anne Simmons SGF Position: Billing Specialist Branch: US Army Reserves 698 Supply Company Rank/Position: SP5 Years of Service: 4 1/2

My Name: Rod Lewis SGF Position: Nurse Anesthetist Branch: US NavyMy Name: Jessica Buggs  SGF Position: Nurse Branch: National Guard My Name: Anitha Barber SGF Position: Financial Counselor

Honoring the Families Who Have Served

ARMY Terra Burton (self, brother, father) Bianca Garcia (self) Gwendolyn Simmons (self) Michelle B (father) Ali W. (brother) Sabrina B. (father) Margaret G. (husband) Debbie R. (son) Nancy H. (sons) Linda H. (son-in-law) Jennifer B. (brother) Angela S. (husband) Melissa P. (grandfather) Farrah C. (husband) Elizabeth Z. (father) Leslie P. (grandfather) Andrea Groslinger (neice, nephew) Lynda P. (husband) Michele P. (father) Regina J. (brother) Maria P. (husband, brother) Nancy H. (brother) Shelly S. (father) Kiesha R. (brother) Pam G. (father) Beth G. (father, brother-in-law)

AIR FORCE Steven & Jeanne Zito (self) Lori Martin (self) Asia Winger (self) Kelly P. (husband) Barbara R. (sons) Margaret G. (son) Caitlin S. (brother) Mary H. (son, brother) Denise B. (daughter) Jennfer W. (husband) Melanie B. (father) Tatiana B. (brother-in-law) Ann S. (father, brother) Sarah T. (husband) Heather D. (brother) Sabrina B. (nephew)   MARINES Deirdre D. (husband) Gloria B. (husband) Melissa P. (grandfather) Mary H. (fatehr) Kendra N. (husband) Taryn H. (husband) Martha L. (brother) Nancy H. (father) Angela M. (son-in-law, nephew)

NAVY Marsha DeWeese (self, husband) Margaret Ann Connors (self) Rod Lewis (self) Jeff McKeeby (self, wife) Kim Castillo (self) Ashely R. (brothers) Sabrina B. (husband) Beth K. (daughter) Kathy S. (father) Angela T. (father) Carla W. (brother) Mary H. (brother) Setphanie J. (husband) Jeannette M. (father) Nancy H. (brothers) Danielle H. (significant other) Tori T. (father)   NATIONAL GUARD Jessica Buggs (self) Rachana G. (father) Kara G. (son) Reinette S. (husband)   COAST GUARD Carol T. (son) Mary H. (brother) Amanda R. (grandfather) Maria P. (father, uncle)

When Sonja Sienkowski was lying on the exam table 20 years ago waiting for her embryo transfer, she never imagined her baby would be the first of more than 27,000 babies created by Shady Grove Fertility. Her IVF baby and Shady Grove Fertility’s practice have grown up together, and both are having great success as they begin their third decade.

Sonja is a nurse who has worked in hospital labor and delivery departments for most of her career. Diligent and energetic, she helped countless women give birth as she worked through her own fertility challenges. Her faith and determination served her well as she underwent surgeries, medication regimens and fertility treatments, never doubting that she was meant to be a mother.

Sonja’s story is one of struggle, perseverance, and love that reminds us how far Shady Grove Fertility has come since its founding 20 years ago.

A Challenging Beginning

At 23 years old, Sonja married the love of her life, John Sienkowski, and has never looked back. After 20 years of marriage, she still gushes about what a great guy he is. “He is an incredibly supportive and loving person. I never have to worry as long as I have him in my corner.” And it’s a good thing, because they began facing fertility challenges as soon as they were married.

The couple was married in 1985 and found out they were pregnant around Christmas of that same year. On New Year’s Eve, Sonja had a miscarriage. Sonja’s gynecologist was  Arthur Sagoskin, M.D., one of the founders of Shady Grove Fertility, who she worked with at the hospital. Through bloodwork, Dr. Sagoskin found that Sonja had a luteal phase defect that may have caused her miscarriage.

The luteal phase is the time between ovulation and the start of the next menstrual cycle.

A luteal phase defect occurs when the body does not produce enough of the hormone progesterone. This results in a delay in the development of the lining of uterus. To treat this, Sonja began on a regimen of progesterone and clomiphene that lasted a few months.

Trying Again

“A year and a half later, I was pregnant again, but the pregnancy turned out to be ectopic,” says Sonja. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants outside the uterus. In most cases, ectopic pregnancy occurs in a fallopian tube – a fertilized egg becomes trapped there and implants.

“It was only at about six weeks, so it was very early. I had some bleeding so they did a sonogram. They saw that the embryo was in the fallopian tube,” she recounts. Sonja had surgery to remove the developing embryo from her fallopian tube. Dr. Sagoskin told her that he saw scarring on the fallopian tube that may have prevented the fertilized egg from completing its journey to the uterus.

A New Approach

Around this time in the late 1980’s, IVF treatment was beginning to become more accessible to American patients with fertility struggles. Dr. Sagoskin thought Sonja would be a good candidate for IVF and referred her to a fertility center in Northern Virginia.

This was early in the development of the IVF process. Fertility specialists did not have access to the medications and monitoring tools that they use today. Procedures for egg retrieval and for growing embryos in the lab were far less sophisticated and consequently, success rates were much lower. Sonja and John were willing to try, though, and did two cycles of IVF. Unfortunately, neither of these cycles produced viable embryos.

Soldiering On

After the failed IVF attempts, Sonja had another ectopic pregnancy. Upset but undaunted, she kept looking for answers. “I kept talking with all the doctors I worked with, looking for a way to conquer this problem.” One of those doctors suggested a surgery to remove a scarred section of her fallopian tube, in the hopes that this would help avoid another ectopic pregnancy.

When she recovered, Sonja got pregnant again, but it was another ectopic pregnancy, her third. This time, it was even more disappointing since it seemed that the surgery had made no difference.

After so many treatment attempts, Sonja and John were weary. “It was a rough haul for us,” Sonja says, “My self-esteem really took a hit because I knew that John wanted kids as much as I did, and I thought I couldn’t give them to him.” John and Sonja decided they needed a break from the medical interventions.

Taking a Break from Treatment

Time off from treatment didn’t mean giving up on their dreams of having children. Sonja and John decided to begin the process of adoption but knew they couldn’t spend years jumping through hoops. They were in their 5th year of trying to have children. They were only 28 years old, but they were in debt from all the medical bills and tiring of the emotional up and downs. They desperately wanted a family, but for their own sanity, they decided they would give it only one more year.

During that year, they would have three potential adoptions fall through. “It was just as painful as losing a pregnancy,” Sonja recalls. Sonja and John weren’t sure they could handle another failed attempt. Sonja remembers, “I decided to call Dr. Sagoskin because he had always been such a good friend and given me so much support and I wanted to get his opinion.”

The timing was perfect, as Dr. Sagoskin had just founded Shady Grove Fertility Center with his partner, Dr. Michael Levy. Sonja got hope from this call, “Dr. Sagoskin said to me: ‘I always thought IVF could work for you and the treatment has advanced since you tried it before. I really think we can help.'”

Dr. Sagoskin explains that throughout all of Sonja’s struggles, he always felt that she could be successful in having a baby. “Sonja and John together were pillars of strength with all they had to endure,” he said. “Sonja was so persistent and pleasant during the whole long process, that she actually gave me the strength and ability to encourage her to continue.”

The Birth of Shady Grove Fertility

When Sonja entered Shady Grove Fertility in 1991, there was one embryologist and eight staff in a small office. “They didn’t have that many patients and they had one closet that was stuffed with medications and lab supplies,” Sonja remembers. The practice had not yet had a baby born from IVF and there were no statistics to give Sonja and John confidence.

What Sonja and John did have was a long-standing relationship with Dr. Sagoskin and a deep respect for his expertise. Sonja says, “I put my faith in Dr. Sagoskin. I told him, I know you will do your best and if you think it can work, then I will follow your advice. It really was all about having faith in him.”

A treatment plan was created and Sonja started an IVF cycle. During her treatment, Sonja frequently saw Michael Levy, M.D. and began to develop the same trust in him as she felt for Dr. Sagoskin. “Dr. Levy was always so kind and attentive. I knew Dr. Sagoskin had nothing but the highest regard for him, so I trusted him too.”

Surprises During her IVF Cycle

Sonja’s cycle began normally with minor changes in her medications to respond to her bloodwork results. But then something remarkable happened. She found out from the adoption agency that a baby boy was available and might be a good fit for them. She and John were excited.

Sonja says, “I remember being in the office at Shady Grove Fertility to do my monitoring and my heart was racing, waiting for the call from the adoption agency about this baby boy.” The next day John and Sonja met the baby and were instantly in love with him. They took him home that day and scrambled to make arrangements for John to start a paternity leave to look after him.

“So here I was going through my treatment, with the hormone injections and appointments, and at the same time, dealing with having an infant at home.” But Sonja and John were thrilled about the baby. Sonja believes the adoption helped her to stay calm about the IVF treatment. “I prayed a lot about it, but I wasn’t expecting one outcome or another. I had the attitude that whatever was meant to happen, would happen.”

Sonja’s cycle produced seven mature eggs and four fertilized. She remembers being in the embryo transfer room waiting for the embryologist to load the catheter. “The embryologist said: ‘hold on, just a minute.’ Dr. Levy and I didn’t know what was happening.” It turned out the embryo went from two cells to four cells while the embryologist was watching. “They were all so new at this that he said he had never seen a human embryo do that before.” Sonja had all four embryos transferred back and began her two-week wait.

In February, Sonja and John got a positive pregnancy test and were amazed. Sonja says, “I had a feeling when that embryo split, that it was gonna work out. I really think that particular embryo is the one that became my daughter.”

Nine months later, Sonja gave birth to Kayla, the first baby born from Shady Grove Fertility’s IVF program. “We just couldn’t believe it. After all we had been through, we ended up with the family of our dreams – a boy and a girl who were healthy, happy babies.”

How Far We’ve Come

A lot has changed in the 20 years since Kayla’s conception. Shady Grove Fertility has gone from the staff of eight that Sonja met in 1991 to a staff of 420 highly specialized staff. Shady Grove Fertility is now the largest fertility center in America, completing 4,000 IVF cycles in 2009 as well as many other fertility treatments. Dr. Sagoskin and Dr. Levy are still giving patients expert and personalized care, but they have been joined by 21 other physicians. It is estimated that a baby is born from Shady Grove Fertility every three hours.

“It is so incredible when we think about all those who have come to SGFC and all those who have been successful,” said Dr. Sagoskin. “However, the biggest challenge we have is to make sure those who were not successful feel that we have done all we could have done. What an incredible 20 years. What an incredible group of physicians and staff I have had the honor of working with throughout this incredible journey.”

For the Sienkowski family, the journey has been sweet. Kayla, who is now almost 20 years old, has grown up side-by-side with her adopted brother. Both are currently thriving in college. Sonja tearfully reflects, “It was hard but I wouldn’t change any of it. They are both such great kids. Having this family was more important to John and I than anything else – and that’s still true today.”

And the relationship that started over 20 years ago between Dr. Sagoskin and Sonja still thrives today. In fact, six years ago it was an ironic reversal of roles that brought doctor and patient back together.

“I was having surgery on my shoulder, and Sonja (now an OR nurse) found me in the operating room,” Dr. Sagoskin recalls. “We talked as they prepped me for the surgery and then she held my hand as I fell asleep. I felt that this was her way of telling me ‘You held my hand through my journey, now I am here for you.’”

Sonja’s Advice

Sonja’s advice to other couples is to persevere. “You have to sit down as a couple and decide how much you want it, what you are willing to sacrifice and keep trying until you reach your goal. You may have to step outside your comfort zone, but you can be successful.”

And how does she feel about Kayla being the first of over 27,000 babies born through the efforts of Shady Grove Fertility? “It’s amazing. It’s hard to believe. I just thank God. And it all goes back to Dr. Sagoskin, who was always there for us and so willing to help. We will never forget what he and Dr. Levy did for us.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please speak with one of our friendly New Patient Liaisons by calling 888-761-1967.