Nanette Santoro, M.D.

  • Retired
Patient Testimonial
I wish I could give them more stars! Everyone here was so sweet and kind along my entire journey. My nurse Mya has been SO responsive with my billion questions! Dr. Swelstad is just amazing! Every single person in this facility made me feel so special and so well taken care of!

I’ve had two successful pregnancies through fertility treatments with Dr. Nicole Marchetto at Shady Grove Fertility, and I can’t say enough good things about her. She is kind, compassionate, and truly invested in her patients’ journeys. I’m incredibly grateful for her care and highly recommend her.

Dr. Lersten was incredible—always positive, warm, and genuinely supportive. Her kindness and encouragement made a difficult time feel a little easier, and I always felt like I was in good hands. If you’re navigating the challenges of starting a famil, I highly recommend Dr. Lersten.

Dr. Gannon made me feel truly cared for—she was very thorough, kind, and knowledgeable, which really put me at ease. I went in feeling nervous, but left feeling completely comfortable and confident in her care. The entire team, including the staff, made me feel like a priority.

Shady Grove Fertility provides exceptional care and support under the expertise, knowledge and professionalism of Dr. Patounakis. He is incredibly successful at his work as well as thorough, compassionate and patient. I highly recommend Dr. Patounakis and the entire team at Shady Grove Fertility.

Dr. Kim and team are the best of the best. We switched clinics and have had a great experince. He truly listens to your concerns, never does the same thing twice, and is very involved in your journey. I would refer anyone to go to there in a heartbeat!

Biography

Dr. Santoro has retired.

Nanette Santoro, M.D., completed her medical training in the 6-year B.S.-M.D. program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College, followed by residency at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she remained on faculty for 3 years prior to joining the faculty at New Jersey Medical School in 1988.

She helped recruit talent to make the University of Colorado’s Department of OB/GYN #8 in the country for NIH funding in 2017. Over the course of her career thus far, Dr. Santoro has personally mentored over 100 students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, many of whom have gone on to illustrious academic careers.

An accomplished researcher, Dr. Santoro’s current exploration involves treatment of menopausal symptoms in women, understanding the mechanisms by which obesity causes relative infertility in women, participating in clinical trials in reproductive medicine, and research training of OB/GYNs and reproductive endocrinologists. Dr. Santoro worked closely with the former CU ARM laboratory, which specialized in the development and measurement of reproductive hormones using state-of-the-art methodologies.

Dr. Santoro has developed techniques to perform field studies that allow for daily hormone assessments without the inconvenience of blood drawing by using urine sampling. She is past Chair of the Steering Committee for the Reproductive Medicine Network, and current principal investigator with the CONFIRM network, both NIH-funded clinical trial networks devoted to the study of problems in human reproduction.

In addition to her extensive research, Dr. Santoro has authored over 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications and edited four books. Additionally, Dr. Santoro has held leadership positions with numerous professional organizations and is currently President-Elect of the Society for Reproductive Investigation. Among Dr. Santoro’s decorated career of achievements, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2018. Dr. Santoro has been named a Castle Connelly “Best Doctor” and “Best Doctor in America” as well as a “Best Doctor” by New York Magazine and “Top Doc” by 5280 Magazine.

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Medical Center
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Castle Connolly Top Doctor (1999-2014, 2024-2025)
  • Denver’s Top Doctors, 5280 Magazine (2016-2024)
  • Best Doctors, New York Magazine (2001, 2003-2006)
  • Best Doctors, Good Housekeeping Magazine (1997)
  • Mentor of the Year, Clinical Research Training Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2006)
  • Best Doctor, Best Doctors in America (2008-2014)
  • Award for Outstanding Achievement in Women’s Health Research, Society for Women’s Health Research (2015)
  • Outstanding Mentor Award, Endocrine Society (2016)
  • Exceptional Women in Medicine by Castle Connolly (2023 – 2024)
  • American Association for Gynecologists and Obstetricians Foundation
  • American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc.
  • American Gynecologic and Obstetrical Society
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Endocrine Society
  • National Academy of Medicine
  • North American Menopause Society
  • Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Society for Reproductive Investigation

Coming Soon!

Q&A

As a resident, I met several role models who helped further spark my interest in the field of reproductive endocrinology. It became clear to me that helping people create or expand their families was one of the most rewarding things I could possibly do with my life.

Reproduction is the most significant process that we do as humans. If reproduction does not work, that is the end of our species!

I feel that it’s most important to cultivate and maintain the understanding that I am a member of my patients’ team. I am on their side. There can be so much unbearable frustration involved in prolonged fertility treatment, and I feel it is important for me not to look away and to make sure my patients know I am with them for the duration of the journey, no matter the outcome.

As a child, I was obsessed with Marie Curie and read her biography over and over. I usually never read a book twice!

Scuba diving, hiking, and cooking.

I love nature and hiking in Colorado is one of the best ways to enjoy it. Scuba diving is like hiking but underwater – it offers same feeling but with more equipment! Also, who doesn’t love eating a delicious and beautifully presented meal with friends and family?

I’m a sunny optimist for sure.