Shady Grove Fertility

Singles Family Building Support Group (MD, VA, D.C., FL and TX patients)
2025-06-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-02 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-08-11 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-08-13 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-09-06 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-09-08 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-09-10 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-10-04 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates
**For patients in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida or Texas at the time of group sessions**

This virtual group is for single women who are building their families with the use of a sperm donor, and not with a partner or co-parent. Women come in all stages of the process: those who are contemplating becoming single mothers, those who are in the preliminary testing phase, and those undergoing treatment. Patients who have been in the group while in treatment at Shady Grove may stay through their fertility process.

Women gather to share their experiences and strategies. The process of pursuing treatment to become a parent while single is unique, and this group has a unique way of understanding and supporting one another. There is a sense of community that is built in this virtual room.

Registration is done in a two-step process and you must be a current SGF patient to join. Please email Dr. Miller with your location, name of your SGF doctor and location of your SGF office and she will add you to her email list. She will also send you some forms to complete prior to registering for group. Dr. Miller sends an email call out to all those on her list approximately one week prior to the group session.

The group is FREE for all participants.

The groups have limited numbers of spots.

For more information, please email Carol Miller.

General Infertility Support Group (MD, D.C., VA, FL & TX patients)
2025-06-16 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-08-18 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-09-15 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-13 17:00 - 18:30
*Offered to patients in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Florida and Texas*

Infertility can be a lonely experience and research has shown that support groups can be a highly effective way to cope with the stress and distress of treatment. This virtual group focuses on all types of infertility issues and will help individuals and couples:

Identify and practice ways to cope with infertility

Share new information

Understand about the unique losses of infertility/pregnancy loss

Improve communication with your partner and others

Process decision-making about treatment

Provide support to one another

Decrease the isolation of infertility

The group meets virtually and is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. You will be asked to join an email distribution list for the group. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to the video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled. We can only have a maximum of 20 participants per group so if the group is at maximum capacity, you will be asked if you would like to be on a waiting list to join if a spot opens up.

For more information, please email Carol Miller.

Pregnancy Loss Support Group (PA, MD, VA, and WV)
2025-06-17 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-07-15 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-08-19 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-09-09 17:00 - 18:30
*For Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia patients only*

It is often difficult for people to understand how profound the loss of a pregnancy can be for a woman or couple, especially if you have been trying hard to conceive. To experience the elation of learning you are pregnant, only to feel the despair of discovering you have lost that pregnancy, is a multifaceted loss. It is the loss of a baby, a part of yourself, your health, control, innocence, potential, relationships with others, the future, and on and on.

A pregnancy loss is challenging enough to experience under the best of circumstances, with the most support and understanding. However, during the pandemic it has been much harder due to social isolation and distancing from family, friends as well as medical caregivers. This virtual support group is being offered for those grieving the loss of a very much wanted baby in these stressful times and is also designed to help with the increased anxiety with trying to conceive and being pregnant again after pregnancy loss. Members are invited to stay in the group all the way through their next pregnancy.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to a HIPAA compliant Zoom meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information or to sign up, please email Mia Joelsson.

Infertility Support Group (DE)
2025-06-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-16 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-15 19:00 - 20:00
Join a compassionate, judgment-free space designed for women facing the difficulties of infertility.

This group provides a chance to connect with others who truly understand the journey. Share experiences, gain support, and learn practical ways to manage the emotional, physical, and relational stress that infertility can bring.

The group is free to attend and meets virtually on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM.

Facilitated by Malina Spirito, Psy.D., M.Ed., PMH-C

RSVP is required to participate.

Please email Malina for more information: MSpirito@ChristianaCare.org

Virtual Queer Family Building Group (MD, DC, VA, PA patients)
2025-07-14 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-10-14 19:30 - 21:00
*For Maryland, D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania patients*

This virtual support group provides you the opportunity to meet and connect with other LGBTQIA+ couples and individuals who are also going through fertility treatment as a way to grow a family.

Identify and practice coping skills

Share new information

Understand about the unique losses

Improve communication

Provide support

Learn that there is strength in numbers

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to a Zoom video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Dr. Laura Covington.

Rockville, MD | In-Person Fertility Seminar
2025-09-29 18:00 - 19:30
If you’re thinking about your fertility options, our free in-person event at SGF’s Rockville office is the perfect opportunity to learn, ask questions, and take the first step with confidence. Led by Dr. Kathryn Humm, this interactive session will cover the basics of infertility, treatment options, and what to expect on your journey.

What you’ll gain from this event:

✔️ Key insights into fertility health and when to seek expert guidance

✔️ A step-by-step look at your first consultation – what to expect and how to prepare

✔️ An overview of SGF’s initial fertility work-up, including four essential tests

✔️ Personalized treatment options, including LGBTQIA+ family-building paths

✔️ Exclusive financial programs, like our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program

Exclusive Bonus: Attendees will receive a complimentary physician consultation*, which can be scheduled during the event.

Seats are limited—secure yours today and take the first step toward growing your family with confidence.

*Exclusions may apply for current SGF patients. Free consultation available for seminar attendees. If patient has insurance coverage for consultation, insurance will be billed. Any out-of-pocket or co-pay expenses for consult will be waived.

Medical contribution by Kathryn C. Humm, M.D.

Kathryn C. Humm, M.D., is a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist who is passionate about working with patients to overcome infertility. Dr. Humm completed her undergraduate degree at Yale University and then earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Orlando, FL | In-Person Fertility Seminar
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:30
If you’re thinking about your fertility options, our free in-person event at SGF’s Orlando office is the perfect opportunity to learn, ask questions, and take the first step with confidence. Led by Dr. Joseph Davis, this interactive session will cover the basics of infertility, treatment options, and what to expect on your journey.

What you’ll gain from this event:

✔️ Key insights into fertility health and when to seek expert guidance

✔️ A step-by-step look at your first consultation – what to expect and how to prepare

✔️ An overview of SGF’s initial fertility work-up, including four essential tests

✔️ Personalized treatment options, including LGBTQIA+ family-building paths

✔️ Exclusive financial programs, like our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program

Exclusive Bonus: Attendees will receive a complimentary physician consultation*, which can be scheduled during the event.

Seats are limited—secure yours today and take the first step toward growing your family with confidence.

*Exclusions may apply for current SGF patients. Complimentary consultation available for seminar attendees. If patient has insurance coverage for consultation, insurance will be billed. Any out-of-pocket or co-pay expenses for consult will be waived.

Sorry, no medical team available right now!

Fair Oaks, VA | In-Person Fertility Seminar
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:30
If you’re thinking about your fertility options, our free in-person event at SGF’s Fair Oaks office is the perfect opportunity to learn, ask questions, and take the first step with confidence. Led by Dr. Ali Gannon, this interactive session will cover the basics of infertility, treatment options, and what to expect on your journey.

What you’ll gain from this event:

✔️ Key insights into fertility health and when to seek expert guidance

✔️ A step-by-step look at your first consultation – what to expect and how to prepare

✔️ An overview of SGF’s initial fertility work-up, including four essential tests

✔️ Personalized treatment options, including LGBTQIA+ family-building paths

✔️ Exclusive financial programs, like our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program

Exclusive Bonus: Attendees will receive a complimentary physician consultation*, which can be scheduled during the event.

Seats are limited—secure yours today and take the first step toward growing your family with confidence.

*Exclusions may apply for current SGF patients. Free consultation available for seminar attendees. If patient has insurance coverage for consultation, insurance will be billed. Any out-of-pocket or co-pay expenses for consult will be waived.

Medical contribution by Alexandra Gannon, M.D.

Alexandra Gannon, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr. Gannon earned her medical degree from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. She then completed her residency in OB/GYN at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Donor Recipient Support Group (MD, DC, VA, PA patients)
2025-10-07 20:00 - 21:30
**For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients**
Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm or embryo donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.
This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are at a turning point in treatment as no longer able to have a genetic connection to a child. They may be at various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.
The group is FREE for all participants.
Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Zoom video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.
For more information, please email Dr. Laura Covington.

Mechanicsburg, PA | In-Person Fertility Seminar
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:30
If you’re thinking about your fertility options, our free in-person event at SGF’s Mechanicsburg office is the perfect opportunity to learn, ask questions, and take the first step with confidence. Led by Dr. Kara Nguyen this interactive session will cover the basics of infertility, treatment options, and what to expect on your journey.

What you’ll gain from this event:

✔️ Key insights into fertility health and when to seek expert guidance

✔️ A step-by-step look at your first consultation – what to expect and how to prepare

✔️ An overview of SGF’s initial fertility work-up, including four essential tests

✔️ Personalized treatment options, including LGBTQIA+ family-building paths

✔️ Exclusive financial programs, like our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program

Exclusive Bonus: Attendees will receive a complimentary physician consultation*, which can be scheduled during the event.

Seats are limited—secure yours today and take the first step toward growing your family with confidence.

*Exclusions may apply for current SGF patients. Free consultation available for seminar attendees. If patient has insurance coverage for consultation, insurance will be billed. Any out-of-pocket or co-pay expenses for consult will be waived.

Medical contribution by Kara Khanh-Ha D. Nguyen, M.D., MPH

Kara Nguyen, MD, MPH, FACMG, FACOG, is board certified in obstetrics & gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and medical genetics. Her professional areas of expertise include oncofertility, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, in vitro fertilization, donor egg, donor embryo, and fertility preservation.
