Poted on February 13, 2012
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) February 13, 2012 – San Diego Fertility Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Susanna Park to its fertility care team. She will be joining renowned fertility physicians, Dr. William Hummel and Dr. Michael Kettel, who are recognized among the “Best Doctors in America”.
Dr. Park, formerly with Columbia University, is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. After practicing on the east coast for eight years, Dr. Park is bringing her considerable expertise in fertility treatment to San Diego.
Dr. Park is a true citizen of the world. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, and when she was a young child, her family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina. After six years in Argentina, she and her family relocated to New York City. As a result of her diverse experiences and upbringing, Dr. Park is able to communicate easily with patients in English, Korean, and Spanish.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the patient experience at our fertility center. In addition to her impressive resume, Dr. Park will help our practice better serve the Spanish and Korean-speaking communities. We are proud to welcome her to our team.” – Dr. Michael Kettel
In New York, Dr. Park attended the competitive Bronx High School of Science. She graduated summa cum laude from Siena College and obtained her medical degree at Albany Medical College. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Dr. Park is an award-winning clinical researcher, having performed extensive studies in perimenopausal women. She received the Resident Research Award for three consecutive years during her residency, was presented with the Resident Research Award by the New York Obstetrical Society, and was recognized with the Organon Resident Research Award for Outstanding Research in Women’s Health.
“It is an extraordinary privilege to take part in the miracle of childbirth, and I look forward to providing compassionate care to the patients of San Diego Fertility Center. As a female fertility specialist, I hope to bring my unique perspective to a very impressive medical team.” – Dr. Susanna Park
About San Diego Fertility Center
Located in Southern California, San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC) is an internationally recognized fertility treatment center. Named among the top fertility doctors by a variety of publications, SDFC’s infertility specialists are leaders in IVF (in vitro fertilization), egg donation, egg freezing, ICSI, male infertility & PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis).
San Diego Fertility Center is easily accessible from local communities including La Jolla and Encinitas or points further like Murrieta and Temecula. SDFC also welcomes out-of-state patients and provides fertility tourism and fertility travel accommodations for patients all over the world.
Poted on December 12, 2011
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) – San Diego Fertility Center specialists, Dr. William Hummel and Dr. Michael Kettel are honored on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report list of ‘Top Doctors’ for 2011. Physicians are chosen from a wide range of specialties and locations. Out of the thousands of physicians nominated for this award, less than 300 reproductive endocrinologists were recently selected.
Considered to be one of the most competitive ‘Top Doctors’ publications in the nation, the U.S. News & World Report created its list in collaboration with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a renowned publisher of consumer health guides and top doctor lists. To receive this highly acclaimed award, physicians are nominated by their peers and then reviewed by Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team. The extensive review process takes into consideration medical education, training, administrative experience, achievements and additional credentials.
“At San Diego Fertility Center we are dedicated to providing world-class fertility care for patients through our superior technical expertise and proven successful outcomes. To have been nominated by experts that know the ins and outs of reproductive medicine, and recognized as a ‘Top Doctor’ by Castle Connolly is an absolute honor. ” – Dr. Hummel
Dr. William Hummel has received numerous ‘Top Doctor’ awards, being recognized as one of the ‘Best Doctors in America’. Board certified since 1990, Dr. Hummel is a pioneer of the blastocyst embryo transfer and egg donation IVF in San Diego. He is an active contributor to various national and international IVF publications as well as a member of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Hummel dedicates his life to helping those struggling with infertility, contributing to thousands of births over his career.
“I am delighted that both Dr. Hummel and I were recognized by our peers as ‘Top Doctors,’ and grateful that every day we get the opportunity to help families achieve their dreams.” – Dr. Kettel
Dr. Michael Kettel is a highly accomplished reproductive endocrinologist who has received over $1,000,000 in research grants to explore new procedures that enhance success rates for IVF. He is triple board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the American Board of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and the American Board of Bioanalysis. The recipient of numerous accolades such as ‘Top Doctor’ and academic/teaching awards, Dr. Kettel has contributed to over 100 scientific publications on various topics such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and ovulatory disorders. Dr. Kettel is also an active member of several medical societies including the Society of Reproductive Surgeons and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
About San Diego Fertility Center
Located in Southern California, San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC) is an internationally recognized fertility treatment center. Named among the top fertility doctors by a variety of publications, SDFC’s infertility specialists are leaders in IVF (in vitro fertilization), egg donation, egg freezing, ICSI, male infertility & PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). San Diego Fertility Center is easily accessible from local communities like La Jolla and Encinitas or points further like Murrieta and Temecula. SDFC also welcomes out-of-state patients and provides fertility tourism and fertility travel accommodations for patients all over the world.
Poted on November 30, 2011
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) – November 30, 2011- In the newly released Fertilitysuccessrates.com reports for 2009 birth rates, San Diego Fertility Center has the number one live birth rate in the nation for egg donation. “To be ranked among the nation’s leading IVF centers is extremely gratifying, but to learn that our center has the number one live birth rate for egg donation in the nation is a special honor. We hope that our success will give those struggling with infertility a renewed sense of optimism.” – Lisa Van Dolah, CEO & Administrator, San Diego Fertility Center
The latest data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reveals that San Diego Fertility Center has an astounding 85.1% live birth rate. This is 30% higher than the national average of 55.1% for egg donation with fresh embryos. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) is one of the most widely trusted resources for IVF data in the nation. SART works in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect and validate information from infertility clinics annually. SART provides valuable information and resources to intended parents.
For many families the cost of fertility treatment is extremely burdensome and the prospect of a failed or repeat donor cycle renders this journey even more daunting. Naturally, many are very focused on success rates when choosing fertility center or clinic. While previous success rates are not a guarantee of future positive outcomes, San Diego Fertility Center has clearly established itself as the leader in successful outcomes for egg donation with fresh and frozen egg donor embryos.
San Diego Fertility Center offers several popular success guarantee plans to further reduce the financial uncertainty associated with fertility treatment. The ‘Egg Donor IVF Success Guarantee Plan’ promises treatment at a fixed cost, based on the principle of mutual commitment. If a patient does not achieve a live birth after completing a treatment cycle, they are reimbursed up to 100% of the cycle fee. A number of additional benefits are available to success guarantee plan participants, making the cost of treatment more predictable and manageable.
With the number one live birth rate for egg donation with fresh embryos in the United States and financial options that further reduce uncertainty, it’s easy to see why San Diego Fertility Center is a leading international destination for egg donation and other fertility treatments.
About San Diego Fertility Center
Located in Southern California, San Diego Fertility Center is an internationally recognized fertility treatment center. Named among the top fertility doctors by a variety of publications, SDFC’s infertility specialists are leaders in IVF (in vitro fertilization), egg donation, egg freezing, ICSI, male infertility & PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). San Diego Fertility Center is easily accessible from local communities like La Jolla and Encinitas or points further like Murrieta and Temecula. SDFC also welcomes out-of-state patients and provides fertility tourism and fertility travel accommodations for patients all over the world.
For more information about San Diego Fertility Center, visit: http://www.sdfertility.com
To view San Diego Fertility Center’s IVF data, visit: http://www.sdfertility.com/cdc_success_rates.htm
Poted on November 17, 2011
Infertility is a medical condition that impacts every aspect of a person’s life. This challenging condition affects one’s self-esteem and influences one’s relationships with others. Therefore, emotional support during fertility treatment is extremely important. In order to address these concerns, San Diego Fertility Center created a peer-support program called “Friends”, in which fellow veterans of infertility share practical advice and provide an insider’s perspective of various fertility treatments, and their subsequent resolution. This support program is valuable for our patients because “Friends” offer empathy, support and encouragement that helps patients to make the best decisions for their family. Our referral network consists of former and current patients who have undergone one or more treatments including IVF, IUI, egg donation, surrogacy laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, and more.
We are always recruiting new volunteers who want to become “Friends” to our patients. The contact between the individuals is completely anonymous and is frequently conducted via phone or email. If you are interested in finding a “Friend” or becoming a “Friend”, please contact our program coordinator Shannon Kokjohn at media@sdfertility.com.
Poted on September 2, 2011
Assisted Hatching (AH) is a process in which we can create a small opening in the shell (zona pellucida) that surrounds each embryo. The embryo needs to “hatch” out of this shell in order to implant, so we like to help by performing AH. SDFC is unique in that we perform this process using a specialized laser technique, which is highly specific and does not harm the embryo in any way. We typically recommend AH in the following circumstances, as well as in some other cases:
Previous failed IVF
Women who are 38 or older
Eggs that have a thickened or pigmented zona pellucida
Frozen embryos
Poted on September 2, 2011
After oocytes are retrieved during in vitro fertilization, there are two main insemination techniques. One is standard insemination, where the sperm and eggs are cultured together in a dish, and the sperm must penetrate the egg on their own, similar to natural insemination. The other way is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where the sperm are individually selected and placed inside the egg. There are many reasons why SDFC’s reproductive endocrinologists and embryologists would recommend one or the other.
The first tool that is used to assess and create an insemination plan is the semen analysis. Many sperm quality parameters are checked in a semen analysis, but the concentration, motility, and morphology are most important when recommending an insemination plan. Drs Hummel and Kettel typically recommend standard insemination if these three factors are within normal limits. If any of these parameters are low, ICSI is the recommended treatment. This is because semen samples with a low quantity of sperm cells, motile sperm, or sperm normal in appearance may not be able to adequately penetrate and inseminate oocytes. With ICSI, patients with male factor can be assured that the sperm are placed inside the egg, and then it is up to them to fertilize!
The second method is based upon oocyte quality. Oocytes are surrounded by a protein shell, called the zona pellucida. Women who have lower quality oocytes, or who are considered advanced maternal age, typically have a hardened or pigmented zona pellucida. In this case, even a good quality sperm sample may have difficulty penetrating this hardened shell without the assistance of ICSI. Another important point regarding oocytes is their maturity. The maturity of the egg is important because it is those eggs that have the ability to be fertilized. Maturity can only be assessed by cleaning the eggs from their cumulus cells, which is only done when ICSI is to be performed. When the oocytes are to undergo standard insemination, the cumulus is not cleaned because these cells aid in the penetration process, and therefore, maturity is unknown. This is another consideration when deciding between standard and ICSI insemination. If oocyte maturity is thought to be low, or has been low in previous cycles, ICSI may be recommended.
The third assessment tool is patient history. When a patient has undergone IVF previously, fertilization results are an obvious indicator of how to proceed in a future cycle. Also, if a patient has conceived through intrauterine insemination, or even on their own, it is a clue that the sperm and eggs “have what it takes” to undergo standard insemination.
All of these assessment methods give clues to San Diego Fertility Center’s physicians and embryologists on how the sperm and egg will interact. Patients are encouraged to take part in this discussion and understand reasons for the recommended insemination plan, and the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Poted on September 2, 2011
To first answer the question about the differences between a Day 3 and a Day 5 embryo transfer, we need a little reminder from our biology classes.
An embryo begins its growth as a single cell, and then divides every 12-24 hours. By Day 3, it is about 4-8 cells, and is referred to as a multicell embryo. During the early growth of the multicell embryo, all of the energy and chemicals required for cell division come from the mother’s egg. By Day 5, the embryo, now called a blastocyst, is about 70-100 cells. A blastocyst has differentiated and contains two different cell types. The first is called the inner cell mass, which develops into fetal tissue. The second is called the trophoblast or trophoectoderm, and these cells lead to part of the placenta. In order to form a blastocyst, an embryo activates it’s own genes through a process called genomic activation. Genomic activation allows the embryo to produce the energy required for further cell division, differentiation, and blastocyst formation. The ability of an embryo to use it’s own genes and make it’s own energy is not simple. Approximately one third of embryos are capable of successfully activating their genes and growing to the blastocyst stage. This is what makes a blastocyst so special!
When deciding which embryos to transfer, Dr. Hummel, Dr. Kettel and SDFC embryologists are interested in the “best” embryos of the group. The meaning of “best” is different for all patients, because all groups of embryos are unique. Sometimes, the best embryos show themselves right away, while others take a few days. This is why our doctors feel it is important to watch the embryos grow in the lab before making a determination on transfer day.
With a small number of dividing embryos, the best embryos are usually more evident after only a few days in the lab. It is easier to see which two (two will be out number for transfer for the sake of this article) embryos are appropriately dividing, or are the best. Here, it is appropriate to transfer them earlier, because it is known which embryos are the best at an earlier time. The advantage is that the uterine environment may contribute to embryo growth, successful blastocyst development, and implantation, and so our doctors recommend transferring the best embryos on Day 3.
With a larger number of embryos, many of them may be of similar quality after three days, and it is difficult to determine which ones are the best. In this case, it is beneficial to allow the embryos to sort themselves out, and see which two embryos are capable of forming blastocysts. Therefore, Dr. Hummel and Dr. Kettel would recommend a Day 5 transfer. In this case, the advantage is that the physicians know that the embryos they transfer have successfully made blastocysts – a big deal!
Poted on September 2, 2011
- Pajamas at work all day is sooo comfortable.
- They appreciate good cleavage (embryo cleavage!).
- When there are no procedures, they get to listen to their music REALLY loud.
- They have the coolest equipment in the whole office: anti-vibration tables, inverted microscopes, the list goes on and on…
- In the SDFC lab, our embryologists help make miracles happen every day.
Poted on December 14, 2010
San Diego, California – Dec 14, 2010 –San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC), an international leader in fertility treatment, is the first fertility center in the Western United States to offer patient financing through CapexMD. CapexMD works with a select number of practices in each region, using a number of criteria to determine eligibility. Together, SDFC and CapexMD aim to make the process of financing fertility treatment easier, safer and more widely accessible to patients.
Though general, medical financing is offered by a number of companies, CapexMD is the only program of its kind to target fertility practices exclusively. This allows the payment plans to be tailored specifically to fertility treatment. Their staff is knowledgeable, not only about the terminology used, but also the sensitivity required when a patient is considering infertility treatment.
In addition to the exclusive focus on fertility, San Diego Fertility Center chose CapexMD for its low fees, quick approval process and favorable financing rates. The application process is completely paperless and patient confidentiality was considered absolutely essential.
Lisa Van Dolah, CEO of SDFC, noted that “… we aim to provide the most comprehensive care possible, and making that care affordable is central to our goal of creating miracles for our patients each and every day.”
San Diego Fertility Center is committed to helping patients choose the best financial plan for both the short and long term. In addition to fertility financing, SDFC offers a variety of ways to help patients manage the cost of care, including assistance with securing insurance coverage, single and multi-cycle packages and success guarantee plans.
“We are thrilled to offer this new program to our patients in San Diego and from around the world,” added Mrs. Van Dolah. “We are always looking for new ways to allow families to benefit from the wonderful things we do here at San Diego Fertility Center.”
About San Diego Fertility Center
Located in Southern California, San Diego Fertility Center is an internationally recognized fertility treatment center. Named among the top fertility doctors by a variety of publications, SDFC’s infertility specialists are leaders in IVF (in vitro fertilization), egg donation, egg freezing, ICSI, male infertility & PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). San Diego Fertility Center is easily accessible from local communities like La Jolla and Encinitas or points further like Murrieta and Temecula. SDFC also welcomes out-of-state patients and provides fertility tourism and fertility travel accommodations for patients all over the world.
Poted on October 15, 2010
In early 2009, the San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC) was selected to provide off-site embryology laboratory services to the San Diego Naval Medical Center’s Infertility Program. Because San Diego is home to many military personnel, we are honored to be able to help these patients achieve their dreams of having a family.
The SDFC military IVF program is one of very few in the country, and therefore the selection criteria for providing embryology lab services was very rigid. SDFC was chosen based on its 20-year history of excellent pregnancy success rates, which have exceeded all national averages, and our state-of-the-art laboratory. Since the beginning of our partnership with the Naval Medical Center, our cumulative initial pregnancy rate for these patients is 75% for IVF and 86% for FET. We are very excited and proud to offer this degree of success to patients in the military! To review our comprehensive published success rates, please see the most recent published report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
  
SDFC’s embryology laboratory is nationally certified and operates year round. It is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), which certifies that our lab is one of an exclusive group of reproductive labs in the United States that meets the highest standards of excellence, as recognized by its peers. Our expert embryologists have many years of experience, and are highly skilled and trained in oocyte/embryo culture, insemination (including ICSI), blastocyst culture and transfer, embryo cryopreservation, and laser assisted hatching. Further, SDFC’s embryology lab was the first in San Diego County to achieve a pregnancy from blastocyst culture and the first to offer preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Our embryology team is lead by Bill Venier, the only Embryology Laboratory Director in San Diego with a graduate degree specifically in Human Embryology.
Patients who qualify for the Naval Medical Center’s IVF program can choose to have SDFC provide the off-site embryology lab services, and therefore benefit from our experienced, top quality laboratory and IVF team. We also offer discounts to patients in the Armed Forces who prefer to use SDFC for all of their IVF services.
|
