Q & A

Q: Why did you become a doctor/reproductive endocrinologist?

A: When I heard my son’s heartbeat for the first time, I knew that I wanted to become a reproductive endocrinologist. My wife and I had struggled with infertility for several years and went through multiple fertility treatments and many failures before reaching that moment. I knew I had to bring that feeling of hope and happiness to others.

I originally went into medical school thinking I wanted to be a cardiologist. But when I did my OB/GYN rotation and learned about reproductive physiology and pregnancy, I was just completely blown away. I then thought I could blend my inclination for both of those fields by becoming a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and manage pregnant women with cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions. But later on when my wife and I started our family-building journey and unexpectedly found ourselves turning to assisted reproductive technology, I decided to pivot and instead decided to become a reproductive endocrinologist.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: My wife. She went through an immeasurable amount of suffering and disappointment, but she always found a way to pick herself back up and keep fighting to build our family. She never wanted to give up even though the odds were stacked against her. She’s the reason I’m doing what I do today.

Q: What about SGF makes you the most proud?

A: SGF is truly a patient-centered practice. The mantra that guides any decision that needs to be made is “what would be best for the patient?” The practice was built on that principle and its been its guiding light. Many of the employees have had personal struggles with family building themselves, and I think when they see how that patient-first mentality is embedded within the culture of SGF, they gravitate towards it and want to be a part of it. When every employee is focused on the patient experience, it creates a culture that’s full of positivity and excitement and support.

Q: What’s on your bucket list?

A: I want to sleep in a tent on a safari and see each of my kids have children of their own.

Q: What is your approach to helping patients who are struggling?

A: I know that nobody wants to be turning to doctors and science to help them build a family and I remind myself of that every time I interact with a patient. Everyone’s fertility story is deeply personal and unique and both I and everyone on our team is sensitive to that. I listen to a patient’s concerns and I put myself in their shoes. I remember that I’ve sat on that side of the table and have felt that vulnerability. After the evaluation, I work in partnership with the patient to solidify a plan that makes them comfortable and brings them to their desired goal as efficiently as possible.

Q: How would you describe your personality?

A: I’m often described as cool, calm, and collected. I’m warm, sensitive, personable, and just plain nice. I think I’m funny too, but my family says I just have “doctor humor”.