Fertility and Reproductive Health Care Team

On our fertility program team at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, you will find the country’s leading embryologists, reproductive endocrinologists, clinical nurses, and technicians. We are all committed to work with you to develop a treatment plan that will work best for you and can help you achieve your dream of growing your family. Our fertility doctors are certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and they conduct research and teach at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Ruben Alvero, MD

Dr. Alvero is the medical director of the Fertility and Reproductive Health program. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Assisted reproduction, endometriosis, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), reproductive/robotic surgery

Liesl Nel-Themaat, PhD, MBA

Dr. Nel-Themaat is the director of In Vitro Fertilization Lab.

Areas of expertise:In vitro fertilization, fertility preservation, oncofertility

Michael Eisenberg, MD

Dr. Eisenberg is the director of Male Reproductive Medicine & Surgery. He is board certified in Urology.

Areas of expertise:Urology, male infertility

Anna Sokalska, MD, PhD

Dr. Sokalska is a clinical assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, fertility preservation, oncofertility

Ruth Lathi, MD

Dr. Lathi is the director of the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Program. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and miscarriage, gynecology, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, fertility (reproductive medicine)

Steven Nakajima, MD

Dr. Nakajima is the director of the IVF Outreach Program, Robotic Infertility Surgery. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, obstetrics and gynecology, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, robotic infertility surgery, uterine fibroids

Lusine Aghajanova, MD

Dr. Aghajanova is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Obstetrics and gynecology, fertility (reproductive medicine), fertility enhancing surgery, PCOS, menstrual disorders

Brindha Bavan, MD

Dr. Bavan is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive medicine, infertility treatment, fertility preservation, fertility enhancing surgery, PCOS, and vaginismus

Stephanie Cizek, MD

Dr. Cizek is a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Pediatric and adolescent gynecology

Amin Milki, MD

Areas of expertise:Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, gynecology, obstetrics, fertility (reproductive medicine)

Brent Monseur, MD, MS

Dr. Monseur is the director of the LGBTQ Family Building Program.

Areas of expertise:LGBTQ family building, egg/sperm/embryo preservation

Bo Yu, MD

Dr. Yu is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Areas of expertise:Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, oncofertility

Denishia Robbins, LCSW

Denishia Robbins is a mental health clinician.

Esther Chung, MD

Fellow

Areas of expertise:Fertility preservation 

Anupama Rambhatla, MD

Fellow

Areas of expertise:Oncofertility, endometriosis

Julia Josowitz, PA-C

Julia Josowitz is a physician assistant with the Q+ Family Building clinic.

Ronit Mazzoni, MS, LCGC

Ronit Mazzoni is a genetic counselor.

Areas of expertise:Genetic counseling

Cera Paran, RN

Cera Paran is a registered nurse with the Q+ Family Building clinic.

Robyn Service, FNP-C

Robyn Service is an oncofertility nurse practitioner and the Fertility Preservation Program coordinator.

Pamela Simon, MSN, CPNP, CPON

Pamela Simon is the founder of SAYAC (Stanford Adolescent And Youth Adult Cancer) program.

Fiona Wang, PA-C

Fiona Wang is a physician assistant.

Monica Mayberry

Monica Mayberry is the program director of the Fertility program.

Colin James, MS-HPL, BSN, RN-BC

Colin James is a patient care manager.

Alexis McDowell, MHA

Alexis McDowell is the assistant clinic manager.

Benita Barron

Benita Barron is a patient care coordinator with the Q+ Family Building clinic.

Mariia Fleischmann, ARDMS

Mariia Fleischmann is a sonographer.

Marina Movsesyan, ARDMS

Marina Movsesyan is a sonographer.

Fertility and Reproductive Health Specialists

Embryologists

The embryologists perform all aspects of the in vitro process from oocyte identification to preparation of embryos for transfer. This includes semen processing, insemination, ICSI, embryo assessment, PGD, cryopreservation, thawing, and more.

Nurses

Our nurse coordinators are registered nurses dedicated to assisting our patients with all their treatment needs. They create the treatment schedules for our patients and meet with them to review their initial treatment cycle plan. Our Nurses also teach our orientation and injection training classes and are great resource for all your questions throughout your treatment cycle. You will also find our RNs in the procedure room assisting our physicians and anesthesiologist complete the preoperative check-list and getting them ready for the procedure as well as caring for our patients before, during and after the procedure.

Genetic counselor

We provide genetic counseling for couples seeking additional information about preconception and preimplantation genetic testing options. Our genetic counselor helps patients understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial impact of genetic disease; and interprets family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurring or recurring—the goal being to promote informed choices. Reasons to meet with a fertility genetic counselor may include desire for preconception carrier screening, a personal or family history of a genetic condition resulting in an increased risk for having a child with a genetic condition, multiple miscarriages, advanced maternal age, or union between relatives (consanguinity).

Mental health therapist

We provide individual, couples, and group therapy for patients undergoing fertility treatments as well as psychological assessments and support for donors and individuals undergoing third party reproduction. Patients may benefit from mental health therapy if they notice ongoing symptoms, such as loss of interest, low mood, strained relationships, high levels of anxiety, changes in sleep or appetite, excessive guilt/anger, or social isolation.  Therapy can help individuals and couples learn coping strategies, process negative emotions, problem-solve and communicate more clearly.  Patients often find speaking with a therapist useful when facing important decisions during their treatment, such as deciding between alternative treatment possibilities or exploring their family building options.

Lab staff

The lab technicians perform phlebotomy, hormone and semen testing, and the additional preparation necessary for non-IVF procedures.

Medical assistants

Our medical assistants are medically trained ancillary personnel that perform a wide variety of functions within the clinic. They escort patients and prepare them for evaluations or treatment and assist Physicians with treatments and procedures. They support our nursing staff in the delivery of patient care. The medical assistants also help our physicians and nurses schedule appointments, prepare lab requisitions and obtain results. They are also a resource our patients may access to receive answers for basic questions regarding their treatment cycle and clinic procedures.

New patient coordinators

New patient coordinators schedule new patients with consultation appointments and answering all related questions. They also make sure we receive all required documents prior to the initial visit.

Patient care coordinators

Our Patient Care coordinators are ancillary personnel well informed in the field of infertility. They help create and communicate treatment schedules to our patients, according to Physicians directions. They triage phone calls, answer basic questions and refer other queries to Nurses or Physicians as appropriate. They assist our Nursing staff with all the clerical aspects of a treatment cycle.

Financial coordinator

Our insurance coordinators are specialized in all aspects of infertility coverage. They are able to assist our patients with financial matters throughout their treatment cycle. They verify eligibility and benefits for patients before their consultations. Our Insurance coordinators are available to meet with our patients to review their insurance coverage and financials schedule after a treatment plan is selected. During a treatment cycle, the Insurance coordinators request authorization from insurance companies for visits and medications, as needed. They are also available to answer any questions regarding insurance coverage and treatment cost over the phone.