leah bressler md shady grove fertility

Leah Bressler, M.D., M.P.H.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Patient Testimonial
Dr. Bressler was so helpful and kind. She even was the physician that completed the IVF implantation resulting in my successful pregnancy!! I adore this practice because of the kind staff like her.

Hands down the best experience overall. Thank you again, Dr. Bressler and Shady Grove Fertility Carolinas, we are over the moon.

Biography

Leah Bressler, M.D., M.P.H., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). She grew up in Clinton, North Carolina and attended UNC Chapel Hill as a Morehead scholar. Dr. Bressler earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School while also completing her Master’s in Public Health. She then completed her residency in OB/GYN at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Cook County Hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. From there, Dr. Bressler completed her REI fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

Prior to joining SGF, Dr. Bressler served as the Medical Director, Director of Third-Party Reproduction, Associate Fellowship Program Director, and Residency Rotation Director at UNC. As an avid researcher, she has first-author publications in the top REI journals such as Human Reproduction, Fertility & Sterility, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Bressler is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).  

Dr. Bressler provides patient care at SGF’s Raleigh, North Carolina, location. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf with her partner and friends, watching her kids play sports, running, and baking.  

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Cook County Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois 
  • Fellowship: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
  • Top 10% of General Reviewers for Obstetrics & Gynecology 
  • Chief Resident (Education), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of OB/GYN 
  • American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist (ACOG) 
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)  
  • Society for Reproductive Investigation 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Fritz MA, Wu SP, Yuan L, Kafer S, Wang T, DeMayo FJ, Young SL. Poor Endometrial Proliferation after Clomiphene is Associated with Altered Estrogen Action. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2021 Sep;106(9)2547-2565.  
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Papworth B, Moustafa S, Chang A, Mersereau J. Does empiric superovulation improve fecundity in healthy women undergoing therapeutic donor insemination without a male partner? Fertility and Sterility. 2020 Jan;113(1):114-120. 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Mersereau J, Anderson C, Rodriguez J, Hodgson M, Weinberg C, Sandler D, Nichols H. Fertility-related experiences after breast cancer diagnosis in the NIEHS Sister Study and Two Sister Study Survivor Survey, Cancer. 2019 Aug 1;125(15):2675-2683. 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Bernardi L, Snyder M, Wei J, Bulun S. Treatment of Endometriosis-Related Chronic Pelvic Pain with Ulipristal Acetate and Associated Endometrial Changes. J Reprod Med Gynecol Obstet. 2017;(2):008. 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Bernardi L, De Chavez P, Baird D, Carnethon M, Marsh E. Alcohol, cigarette smoking, and ovarian reserve in reproductive-age African-American women. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2016 Dec;215(6):758.e1-758.e9. 
  • Rossi B, Hawkins Bressler L, Correia K, Lipskind S, Hornstein M, Missmer A. Lifestyle and in vitro fertilization: what do patients believe? Fertility Research and Practice.2016 Oct 12;2:11 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Correia K, Srouji S, Hornstein M, Missmer, S. Factors associated with second-trimester pregnancy loss in women with normal uterine anatomy undergoing IVF. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2015 Mar;125(3):621-627.  
  • Bailey A, Hawkins L, Missmer S, Correia K, Yanushpolsky E. Effect of body mass index on IVF outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014 Aug;211(2):163.e1-6.  
  • Hawkins L, Schnettler W, Hacker M, Modest A, Rodriguez D. Association of third-trimester abdominal circumference with provider-initiated preterm delivery. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2014 Aug;27(12):1228-31.  
  • Hawkins L, Missmer S, Correia K, Hornstein M. Assessment of pregnancy-associated, within-woman change in uterine length. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine,2014 Jul;27(10):989-93. 
  • Hawkins L, Rossi B, Correia K, Lipskind S, Hornstein M, Missmer S. Perceptions among infertile couples of lifestyle behaviors and IVF success. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics.2014 Mar;31(3):255-60.  
  • Hawkins L, Correia K, Srouji S, Hornstein M, Missmer S. Uterine length and fertility outcomes: a cohort study in the IVF population. Human Reproduction2013 Nov;28(11):3000-6.  
  • Hawkins L, Gottlieb B. Screening for eating disorders in pregnancy: how uniform screening during a high-risk period could minimize under-recognition. Journal of Women’s Health. 2013 Apr;22(4):390-2. 

Q&A

I originally sought a medical degree with plans to become an orthopedic surgeon after a positive experience having back surgery. The gift of health, made possible through the advances of modern medicine, was something I wanted to give back. As an REI, I’m able to use cutting-edge technologies to do what I consider the most important work on earth: fulfill dreams of parenthood.  

A desire to advocate for women and the LGBTQ+ community initially interested me in OB/GYN. While pursuing a master’s in public health in reproductive epidemiology, a mentor suggested I work with an REI physician. On the first day in the clinic, I realized that REI is the best job in the world. REI combines science, heart, and a little bit of magic. 

SGF’s focus is the patient experience. They employ open-minded, creative, and continual efforts to optimize it. I’m proud of SGF’s success rates and feel that they derive not only from the skillful implementation of current, curated evidence-based practice but also from these important efforts to make patients feel at home and at ease.

When I meet with a patient, I first take a moment to orient myself to their journey and consider how they may feel. I then frame my approach based on their energy and emotions to ensure they feel listened to and heard. Patients entrust us with the most critical milestones in their reproductive life course; the weight of that responsibility is something I take very seriously.   

My father devoted his life to being a pastor. Watching him fulfill what he considered his calling on earth, and find joy in being strong in others’ times of need, inspires me. I benefited from his skillset firsthand when he was my main support person after back surgery as a kid. He showed me what it means to emotionally shoulder others’ burdens. While I learned the science elsewhere, my dad taught me the critically important lessons I use most in my daily work. 

I’m an extrovert and enjoy being part of a team. I like to relate to people and find commonalities with others. 

Watching the Carolina Panthers win the Super Bowl one of these days!  

I love to play golf because I enjoy being outside with my partner and friends. I like watching our kids enjoy themselves playing sports or spending time with grandparents. I like to go running to clear my head.