General

SGF Atlanta’s Buckhead-Piedmont satellite location is now a full-service office in a brand new, convenient, location with expanded hours. This is SGF Atlanta’s 4^th full-service location in the Greater Atlanta area.

Fertility Services Offered in Buckhead-Piedmont

Services include patient consultations for infertility, egg freezing, and oncofertility; comprehensive diagnostic testing for male and female infertility including bloodwork, ultrasounds, and semen analysis; low-tech and advanced infertility treatment options such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF); and cycle monitoring. Any procedures such as egg retrievals and embryo transfers will be performed at SGF’s convenient and fully accredited IVF Center in Atlanta-Northside.

SGF Atlanta’s newest physicians, Drs. Monica Best and Natalie Stentz, who joined the practice in October 2018, will join longtime SGF Atlanta physician, Anne Namnoum, at this location.

Financial Programs Offered in Buckhead-Piedmont

This new location brings significant advantages to patients who will now have access to SGF Atlanta’s sizable insurance network and unique financial programs such as their Shared Risk 100% Refund Program that guarantees a baby or full refund. With 82% of participants taking home a baby, and over 16,000 participants in the program to date, SGF’s shared risk option is among its most successful and popular financial programs.

The new Buckhead-Piedmont office is located at 2601 Peachtree Road NW. Patients may now schedule an appointment with Drs. Best, Stentz, or Namnoum at this location by calling the Shady Grove Fertility New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submitting a brief online form.

SGF Atlanta, with now 4 locations in the Greater Atlanta area, has opened a new full-service location in Marietta, GA, one of Atlanta’s largest suburbs. Patients will now have access to highly specialized fertility treatment in Marietta, GA.

This new location will offer a broad array of fertility services, including diagnostic testing, low-tech treatment options such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), highly advanced infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and donor egg treatment, fertility preservation prior to medical treatment, andrology services, LGBTQ family building, and egg freezing.

Dr. Natalie Stentz in Marietta, GA

SGF’s newest physician, Dr. Natalie Stentz, joins the SGF Atlanta medical team and will be seeing patients at this new location. Natalie Stentz, M.D., M.S.C.E. earned her medical degree and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She then completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Pennsylvania.

Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, board eligible in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Dr. Stentz, has received numerous honors, including research awards from the American Medical Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and clinical distinctions such as the Making a Difference Clinical Award—a distinction awarded by patients to employees of the University of Michigan Health System for making a difference in their care.

Affording Fertility Treatment in Marietta, GA

The opening of this new location brings significant advantages to patients. Recognized by Aetna’s Institutes of Excellence™ as well as being named a Center of Excellence by Optum,™ patients in Marietta will not only benefit from SGF’s extensive insurance participation but also exclusive financial programs that make accessing quality fertility care more affordable. (SGF Atlanta earned the distinction of Center of Excellence by demonstrating successful clinical outcomes and exceptional physician experience, staffing, and facilities, as well as maintaining accreditation status and continuous quality assurance.)

Located on the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center campus, patients may now schedule an appointment with Dr. Stentz in Marietta by calling the Shady Grove Fertility New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submitting this brief online form. 

OprahMag.com and WomensHealthMag.com have teamed up on a series to discuss how infertility impacts African-American women and the perception of infertility among the African-American community. They’ve surveyed more than 1,000 women and spoke with patients as well as leaders in the field, including SGF Atlanta’s own Dr. Desireé McCarthy-Keith.

The divide is clear on how women of different races not only talk about infertility but on IF they seek treatment. 15% of white women seek medical help to get pregnant, compared with just 8% of black women.

The results showed over 1/3 of African-American women in the U.S. never talked to their partner, family, or friends about their fertility, making them the group least likely to speak up about the topic.

Why isn’t there more conversation about black women and infertility?

Dr. McCarthy-Keith commented that infertility misrepresentation dates as far back as the 80s, when she says “the faces shown in a rising number of fertility campaigns were usually white.”

“When these kind of programs and services were initially rolled out, even the marketing, the advertising for fertility treatment did not contain women of color,” says McCarthy-Keith. “So if you were a woman of color who was having trouble getting pregnant, you didn’t even see yourself reflected in the services that may be able to help you.”

“And it doesn’t help that when women do seek medical help, doctors often don’t look like them. Of all medical specialists, it was found that OB-GYNs were the least diverse group, with only 18 percent of doctors being of color- of which 11 percent were African American,” adds McCarthy-Keith.

Helping African-American Women Find Support

“Many Black women are seeking to end the silence around infertility in their communities, creating groups for women of color having access to resources, inspiration, and encouragement,” says McCarthy-Keith, who further states that this type of sisterhood is “invaluable.”

“It’s about having a support system in place because if you feel like ‘Everyone around me is having babies except for me,’ seeking those successes is very helpful for visibility,” adds McCarthy-Keith.

How to Talk to Your Doctor about Fertility

“There are specific factors that affect African-American or Black women disproportionately,” says McCarthy-Keith. Uterine fibroids and obesity, for example, are conditions that can negatively impact fertility—and Black women are affected by higher rates of both.

“If you’ve had unprotected intercourse for at least 12 straight months, and you’re under 35 years old, it’s time to see a fertility doctor,” says McCarthy-Keith. “If you’re 35 or older, after six months unprotected, see a fertility doctor,” she adds.

Given uterine conditions are more prevalent among African-American women, SGF recommends that when infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss (two or more miscarriages) occur, patients should consult with a fertility specialist right away. One in eight couples experience infertility, and SGF reminds, early intervention offers the best chances of success.

Learn more about when to seek help from a fertility specialist.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. McCarthy-Keith or another SGF physician, please contact the SGF New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or complete this brief online form.
 

SGF is now offering fertility treatment in Richmond, Virginia with their recent expansion to Southern Virginia and the opening of their newest full-service office. While SGF has been in Northern Virginia for the past 26 years, this is our first location in Southern Virginia adding greater convenience and access to highly specialized fertility care to people in this region. SGF’s newest reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Erika Johnston, former Medical Director for Wake Forest Center for Reproductive Medicine, is now accepting new patient appointments.

Highly Specialized Fertility Treatment is Now Offered in Richmond, Virginia 

The new Richmond, VA location will offer a broad array of fertility services, including diagnostic testing, low-tech treatment options such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), highly advanced infertility treatments such as donor egg treatment, oncofertility, andrology services, LGBTQ family building, and egg freezing to name a few.

Affording Fertility Treatment in Richmond, Virginia

SGF’s Richmond, VA location accepts many insurances and also offers unique financial programs for self-pay patients such as our Shared Risk 100% Refund Guarantee for IVF and donor egg—in which patients take home a baby or receive a full refund—or our income-based Shared Help Program and Military Discount, to name a few. We provide an exclusive financing option through Fertility Finance with an easy loan process and competitive rates.

About Dr. Erika Johnston

Erika B. Johnston-MacAnanny, M.D., completed her undergraduate degree at Cornell University. She earned her medical degree at State University of New York at Syracuse and continued on to Thomas Jefferson University where she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a 3-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Johnston is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

“SGF has such a strong track record of patient-focused, cutting-edge care. I am excited to join such a patient-centered team of highly skilled physicians who aim to keep pace with our quick-changing field of reproductive medicine and shape the future direction of the field,” says Dr. Johnston.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnston, please call the New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submit this brief online form.
 

SGF is now offering fertility treatment in Tampa Bay, Florida with their recent expansion to the Sunshine State. Dr. Celso Silva, who has been caring for fertility patients in Florida for more than 12 years, will be seeing new patients at SGF’s Tampa Bay, Florida location.

Highly Specialized Fertility Treatment is Now Offered in Tampa Bay, Florida

The opening of this new location provides more convenient access to services such as diagnostic testing and low- and high-tech treatment options including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor egg treatment, egg freezing, oncofertility, and LGBTQ family building. This location also expands SGF’s donor egg treatment and gestational carrier programs, creating access for egg donor recipients and for patients needing a gestational carrier traveling from South America. SGF recruits and prescreens (medically, psychologically, and genetically) all prospective, anonymous, ready-to-cycle egg donors prior to listing them on the SGF donor registry.

Affording Fertility Treatment in Tampa Bay, Florida

SGF Tampa Bay brings several unique financial programs for patients such as our Shared Risk 100% Refund Guarantee for IVF and donor egg—in which patients take home a baby or receive a full refund—or our income-based Shared Help Program and Military Discount, to name a few. SGF provides an exclusive financing option through Fertility Finance with an easy loan process and competitive rates.

About Dr. Celso Silva

Dr. Silva, who speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Brown University School of Medicine/Women and Infants Hospital, and subspecialty fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Silva completed post-graduate research training in reproductive medicine and infertility at Brown University and obtained a Master of Science degree in translational research at the University of South Florida.

“What makes me the most proud about SGF are my coworkers. They are all unconditionally devoted to the SGF mission to put our patients’ interests and well-being first. From the physicians, through the nurses and other medical staff, to all of the administrative personnel, they all do their jobs with smiles on their faces and positive attitudes. I am humbled to be part of an organization that does not settle for anything less than excellence in patient care,” says Silva.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Silva, please call the New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submit this brief online form. 

When the New Year rang in, I made a resolution to make a difference in someone else’s life by becoming an egg donor.

I enjoy helping people—volunteering, being the friend you call for advice—but I wanted to do more.

I learned about the egg donation program at Shady Grove Fertility from a friend who donated. I immediately thought, “This is for me!” My New Year’s resolution this year was to donate, but like most, I got distracted and put the process off. I kept telling myself, “Tomorrow I’ll complete my donor profile,” and then “tomorrow” turned into days and then months.

One day a friend called to chat and asked me about my New Year’s resolution, but I had to tell her I was procrastinating. She was confused because she knew I was motivated to make a difference. When she expressed her confusion to me, I immediately became motivated to start my egg donation journey.

The next night I finally sat down and completed my donor profile, which surprisingly didn’t take that long. Three months later, I donated my eggs and am filled with empowerment, inspiration, and a sense of accomplishment. I do not know the recipients of my donation, but know I made a difference to them.

If you also made a resolution to make a difference this year, I encourage you to invest in yourself and take the steps needed to achieve your goal!

Egg donation was a wonderful experience and something I’d like to do again.
 
Best of luck to you,

An SGF Egg Donor