Inside Reproductive Health Podcast

Where do business insight and patient experience come together?In this week's episode, Dr. Eduardo Hariton shares his POV on cost reductions, business opportunities, and what fertility tech gets right (and wrong) when designing for doctors and patients alike.We talk about:70% or 10%, differences in IVF conversion rateHow to reduce patient drop outHow to measure real IVF conversion ratesWhere Cercle fits in the fertility tech stackHow to balance human touch with scalable systems

What if 25–35% of patients in the U.S., Canada, or Europe left for equal-quality IVF at a quarter of the cost?In this episode we take you back to Mexico City, round zero for what may be the next global IVF surge.Juan Moctezuma, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Reina Madre, and Daniel Madero, CEO of Fertilidad Integral, join the show to discuss:The hub-and-spoke model fueling their growthHow they plan to scale egg freezing and IVF nationwideWhy they're betting big on automated IVF labs from ConceivableHow tech, capital, and Ob/Gyn funnels could transform IVF care across Latin AmericaWhy this may be one of the biggest untapped investment opportunities in global fertility care.

IVIRMA is so big, they had 1,400 people just at their international congress. But what does it take to implement change, scale care, and keep the patient experience high inside an organization that large?This week's guest, Dr. Thomas Molinaro, Chief Medical Officer of IVIRMA North America, shares what's working, what's still being figured out, and what challenges fertility networks of every size should be preparing for.Tune in to hear about:The AI solution they're using to save REI time (and how it's going so far)What they've learned from piloting patient journey platformsTheir APP-to-REI ratio and how they approach shared workflowsThe evolving debate over who performs ultrasounds (REIs or sonographers?)The marketing on behalf of REIs before the patient walks in that is critical to careIf you're curious about the operational future of large fertility networks—or want a blueprint for scaling thoughtfully—don't miss this episode with Dr. Molinaro.

OB/GYNs are entering the IVF space—but what role should they play?This debate is heating up in fertility medicine, and Dr. Stephanie Kuku, a former OB/GYN surgeon in the NHS and now Chief Knowledge Officer at Conceivable Life Sciences, offers her global, tech-forward perspectiveIn this episode, she talks through:What REIs and OB/GYNs really need from each otherWhere the line is on fertility care qualificationsWhat REI oversight could look like in different countriesHow new tech may expand REI roles (not replace them)How Conceivable is building collaborative care models (including their current 100-patient IRB study)The field is changing. How will REIs lead the way forward?

What standards should be non-negotiable in IVF labs?In this week's episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we're joined by Dr. Sangita Jindal—lab director at five IVF centers and former SART president—to discuss the urgent need for standardized embryologist training, better oversight, and technologies that minimize catastrophic lab errors.Tune in to hear Dr. Jindal's insights on:Why embryologists need national certification (and why ASRM should lead it)The pros and cons of expanding training requirements for embryologistsThe limits of automation without skilled human oversightWhat she values most in the lab monitoring system Xiltrix (and why her other labs don't have it)Whether every IVF lab should be required to implement e-witnessingThis episode was recorded just after news broke of another embryo loss lawsuit—highlighting the real-world consequences of our field's biggest vulnerabilities. Don't miss Dr. Jindal's thoughtful, candid perspective on what needs to change.

What's the biggest thing happening in the IVF lab?It might just be automation. This isn't hypothetical. It's operating now.We visited Hope IVF in Mexico City to see AURA, the fully automated IVF lab created by Conceivable Life Sciences. We sat down with co-founders Joshua Abram, Dr. Alejandro Chavez-Badiola, and Alan Murray to ask the questions you submitted—and some of our own.Tune in as the founders share:The origin of AURA and what problems they set out to solve.How a team of 3 embryologist technicians could run 2,000+ cycles per year.What IVF cycles really cost (And why CFOs should pay attention)The commercialization strategy behind automation.How this might change costs, outcomes, and the embryologist role forever.

Looking to hire top REI talent? Want more meaningful conversations with clinic execs and embryologists?There's one summer meeting that keeps coming up in those conversations: The Midwest Reproductive Symposium International (MRSi).In this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we're joined by three of its organizers; Dr. Gretchen Collins, Dr. Eric Forman, and Dr. Morgan Wilhoite—who share how they've used MRSi to build real connections that last.What you'll hear in this episode:Why MRSI is uniquely valuable for vendors, fellows, and physiciansThe best ways to meet rising REI talentHow to make your sponsorship dollars work harder for youHow Fellows are building their networks before graduationWhat makes the MRSi environment ideal for genuine, lasting collaborationWhether you're hiring, building partnerships, or just looking to grow your network, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.P.S. I don't get anything from this, but if you want to save 10% on your registration, use my promo code: GJONES9

Everyone wants to grow their third party IVF program, but are we neglecting patient experience in the process?This week on Inside Reproductive Health, Eloise Drane, 3 time gestational carrier, MBA, and founder of Family Inceptions, shares her honest take on how responsiveness and individualized care have declined, even as demand has stabilized post-2021.Drawing from 17 years of experience running her own surrogacy agency, Eloise offers a kind but direct update on:Why patient experience is harder than ever to deliver (and how to improve it)How consolidation impacts intended parents and surrogacy wait timesThe challenges of startups and in-house agency models in IVF networksWhat she's looking for in a surrogacy agency before considering merging or acquiringWhy the “same workflows” just won't cut it for gestational carrier cyclesIf your practice or network is looking to scale GC IVF—and actually retain intended parents—this is a must-listen.

What's your exit strategy?For single providers and small fertility practice owners, the difference between a multimillion-dollar sale and walking away with nothing often comes down to timing and preparation.This week on Inside Reproductive Health, I sit down with Bob Goodman, Richard Groberg, and Dr. Brijinder Minhas of MidCap Advisors to discuss:The current state of fertility clinic mergers & acquisitionsWhy many fertility MSOs are preparing to sell their networksWhen it's too late to maximize your practice's valueHow selling with a competitor could radically increase your exit priceThe biggest risks that lower your practice's valuationIf you think you might sell your practice in the next 10-15 years, now is the time to start planning. MidCap's team works with clinic owners to increase their valuation and secure the best possible deal—and they don't charge fees unless you get paid.Don't leave money on the table. Listen now to learn how to secure your financial future.

Genetics is nobody's baby—or at least this week's guest seems to think so.Dr. Mili Thakur, an REI, geneticist, and consultant through Genome Ally, joins us to break down the gaps in genetic testing, the impact on patient care, and why ASRM and others must step up to set industry-wide standards.Tune in to hear:The risks inconsistent genetic testing poses to patients and clinics.How the lack of standardization creates unnecessary workflow burdens.Why genetic discrepancies hurt patient retention and third-party treatment conversion.The missing tools needed to improve third-party IVF programs.Dr. Thakur's call to action for genetics companies to step up and lead the charge.

Who's adding the most value in IVF today—and who might not be here tomorrow?This week on Inside Reproductive Health, Dr. Cristina Hickman, founder of Avenue Center for Reproductive Medicine in London, breaks down the fertility field's evolving landscape. As a PhD embryologist and clinic owner, she shares her perspective on industry leaders, automation, and the shifting role of technology in fertility care.Tune in to learn:Why some clinic networks might be overextending by bringing too many verticals in-house.How automation could scale embryologist efficiency to 2,000+ cycles per year.The surprising relationship between robotics and AI in embryology.Which companies are providing the most value right now--in lab automation, EMR, financial management, and cryo storage and moreHow new intelligence could challenge the current standard of single embryo transfer.Listen now to hear Dr. Hickman's take on where the field is headed—and who's leading the way.

What if 30% of your fertility clinic's egg retrievals were for egg freezing?That's the reality at FertGroup in Brazil, where Dr. Marcus Dantas Martins, Chief Operating Officer, is leading a transformative approach to fertility care. In this episode, Dr. Dantas reveals how Fert Group is leveraging technology and private equity to expand their influence in the rapidly growing Brazilian market.Join us as Dr. Dantas discusses:The Rise of Egg Freezing (And how the trend is reshaping fertility care in Brazil)How Private Equity has shaped their rapid expansionFertGroup's Impact on patient outcomes (And its implications in the broader fertility landscape)How FertGroup is making egg freezing more accessible across Brazil.Why they bought >50% of the embryoscopes in Brazil to make it happenTune in to hear more about the future of fertility care in Latin America and how private equity is shaping the industry.

Lynn Mason, CEO of IVIRMA, provides an inside look at how dyad leadership—integrating physician leaders with business leaders—drives innovation and collaboration across IVIRMA Global, Boston IVF Trio, and other key partners. She discusses how their in-house EMR system is used for patient triage and emphasizes the importance of collecting the right data.With Mason, we explore:Leveraging vendors beyond cost savings (Making them extensions of the clinic's operational system for continuity of care)Innovative approaches to time-lapse incubation and pharmacy careCollaborations in genetics and clinical AI (Who they're working with and why)Mason also hints at potential geographic expansions, providing clues to where IVI RMA might be looking to open or acquire more practices.

Are time-lapse incubators a necessity or just a nice-to-have? While the clinical improvements may seem incremental, three IVF lab directors—Ms. Christine Yeh, Dr. Mina Alikani, and Prof. Alison Campbell—explain why they are essential for the future of standardized fertility care.Tune in to hear: How EmbryoScope helps scale IVF volumes with small teams. Why standardization is crucial for both labs and networks. How an IVF system at CARE Fertility saves six months of embryology time per year. The role of AI integration in automating embryo assessments. Key mistakes to avoid when implementing time-lapse technology.Listen in to learn how leading labs are leveraging EmbryoScope to drive efficiency, and find out how your clinic may be eligible for a free 120-day trial through Vitrolife.

Are IVF labs safer today than they were a decade ago? They can be, but much of the available safety potential isn't being fully realized.In this week's episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we're joined by Dr. Eva Schenkman, an IVF lab director and founder of ArtLab, and Dr. Steven Katz, an REI and founder of REI Protect, to discuss risk mitigation and safety in IVF labs.Here's what you'll learn: The biggest risks IVF labs face (and cost effective strategies to reduce them) The non-negotiables for lab safety (The 3 must-haves) How manual tasks in the lab increase the risk for embryologists and practices. What younger embryologists are demanding for better safety and support. What Dr. Katz and Dr. Schenkman each like about a company called XiltriX The top causes of malpractice lawsuits against fertility practices (and how to avoid them)Listen now to learn how improving IVF lab safety protects patients, investments, and your practice's future.

There's a lot for new fertility doctors to cover when they start at a new practice. In this week's episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Dr. Christine Mansfield and Dr. Renee Rivas discuss on boarding strategies for new REIs and share actionable advice from both the mentor and mentee perspectives. Tune into this week's episode to learn: The 4 must-haves for onboarding new fertility doctors (and what makes it effective). Systems for streamlining insurance authorization and patient handoffs. Tips for new REIs on templates and clear patient communication. How physician liaisons can help connect new REIs to their community. What veteran REIs and practice administrators should consider for future-ready on-boarding. Whether you're a new fellow or a seasoned practice leader, this episode offers key insights for on-boarding success.

Why do some IVF patients seek donor egg treatments at a different center than where they began? It could all come down to one simple question—one that our latest guest, Dr. Andy Toledo, CEO of Reproductive Biology Associates, frequently asks. With over three decades in the field, Dr. Toledo shares his approach to counseling patients about donor eggs and third-party IVF without the hard sell. Tune in as Dr. Toledo discusses: - The key question he uses to convert IVF patients. - How he counsels patients without being salesy. - The evolving role of REIs as automation becomes more prevalent. - Why pre-visit testing might not be as beneficial as it seems. - Discovering the untapped market in embryo preservation. If you're looking to refine your donor and third-party programs, this episode is a must-listen.

How the heck can independent REIs compete against private equity giants in the fierce bidding war for fertility clinics? Dr. Crystal Chan, Co-Owner of Markham Fertility, explains how, shedding light on the competitive landscape of reproductive medicine and female entrepreneurship. Tune in to hear Dr. Chan share: How she found her two business partners The decision-making authority often lacking in academic REIs (Motivating her shift to private practice) Her journey of female entrepreneurship (The unique challenges she's had to overcome) The disparities in fertility care access (How Markham Fertility plans to increase accessibility) A peek into the private equity-owned market vs. the independently owned market (And the implications for patient care) Why REIs owning equity is crucial for practice sustainability and patient-centered care. How many independent fertility practices are there now? Thanks to support from Mid Cap Advisors, Inside Reproductive Health has done the work and compiled a list of over 450 clinics across the USA, indicating if they're independently owned, part of a fertility network, or part of an academic system. View the full list by visiting: https://www.insidereproductivehealth.com/unitedstatesfertilitypracticeownershiplist2024

Why do insurance companies often have a much bigger advantage over fertility clinics? How do fertility clinics close the data gap with insurance companies? In this week's episode, JT Thompson, CFO of Inception Fertility, shares his expertise on leveraging business acumen to optimize operations and navigate the complexities of fertility care. Tune in as JT discusses: Growth opportunities for fertility practices (And how to harness them) Improving the efficiency of doctors' time Negotiating with insurance companies to benefit your practice Making long-term decisions for your practice that may be challenging to quantify Forecasting projections that can waste time and resources The dilemma of investing in quality and scale of care improvements that may not show immediate ROI

How does shaking hands on transfer day, and the day the news broke about Princess Diana's death have to do with evidence- based reproductive medicine? Professor Charles Kingsland,the chief medical officer of Care Fertility in the United Kingdom, with over 40 years of experience, reviews the spectrum of standards for evidence based medicine, and draws the line on what he thinks is fair. Kingsland shares his own blending of evidence-based practices with personal rituals. Tune in as Professor Charles Kingsland explores: The role and importance of evidence-based medicine in reproductive healthcare His unique perspective on the necessity and limits of evidence-based practices Personal superstitions and rituals he performs during IVF transfers The interplay between nationalization and privatization in the field of IVF The impact of daily news on his medical procedures The balance between strict medical evidence demands and patient freedom The ethical standard of "do no harm" and its relative interpretations

In today's episode, we delve into the crucial aspects of selling a fertility practice, egg bank, surrogacy agency, or pharmacy with two industry experts: Dr. Brijinder Minhas and Robert Goodman from MidCap Advisors. MidCap Advisors is a leading middle-market investment bank specializing in the sale and acquisition of fertility centers and other businesses. Dr. Minhas, a former fertility practice owner and lab director, and Robert Goodman, a seasoned health systems administrator, share their extensive experience in facilitating successful transactions. They provide valuable insights into what buyers are looking for in today's market and common pitfalls that can impact a sale. What You'll Learn: What buyers seek from fertility businesses in the 2024-2025 landscape. Essential preparations and potential oversights for practice owners before selling. An example from Dr. Minhas's own practice sale, highlighting an overlooked issue with accounts receivable/deferred revenue . Strategies that sellers might inadvertently overlook, which could weaken their negotiation position. Please note that this episode does not constitute legal advice or establish a consulting relationship. These insights are shared by seasoned professionals who have helped numerous practice owners navigate the complexities of selling their businesses. Listen or read here. Griffin P.S. If you're going to ASRM and think you might sell your practice, this is someone you want to talk to. Here's Bob's email.

PAY. FOR. BABY. Fertility specialists sell a vital service that no one truly desires to purchase—a grueling IVF cycle—yet it's essential for achieving what patients desperately want: a baby.  Nader AlSalim introduces an innovative model where patients pay only after successfully having a child, shifting the financial risk away from them.  This episode is a must-listen for CEOs, practice owners, and revenue cycle managers looking to embrace this transformative approach. Key Takeaways: Understanding the true need behind fertility services: patients want a baby, not an IVF cycle. The ethical dilemma: balancing risk between patients and providers. Introduction to Gaia's model, where patients pay only upon successful outcomes. Insight into how innovation in fertility services should extend beyond the IVF lab. Practical advice for revenue cycle managers on implementing this model efficiently... Enjoy this insightful conversation with Nader AlSalim and explore how your practice can adopt these innovative strategies. Listen or read the transcript here. Griffin P.S. My suggestion--try to meet with Gaia at ASRM. Or Email them here.

What do you do if your lab staff sees the value in a new technology, but your business leadership views it as too much of an expense and not enough of an investment? This is one of the many questions we explore with Dr. Jason Barritt, Chief Scientific Officer of Kindbody. Dr. Barritt provides an inside look at how he leverages innovative ideas to make fertility care more accessible and affordable at scale. With Dr. Barritt, we dive into: Expense vs. Investment with new technologies (Using time-lapse incubation as an example) Giving lab directors a voice through equity ownership (And how that positively shapes network growth) Moving the subsidization of advancements from cash-pay patients to insurance (The process of how that could work) How scale can drive down costs (What he's doing at Kindbody to reduce cultural media costs by up to 90%)

What are the most important KPIs for your fertility clinics? How do you define them? We explore that with today's guest, TJ Farnsworth, CEO of Inception Fertility, as he shares his best practices for establishing KPIs to obtain reliable data, and how to use it effectively. Tune in as TJ provides his perspective on: How a small group text turned into the Fertility Providers Alliance (The field's first trade organization) The differences between trade organizations and medical societies Can we expect potential FPA guidelines? Leveraging political resources in light of recent legal decisions (Dobbs & the Alabama Supreme Court) Griffin questions if private equity's timeline is bad for investment in innovation and resources

Back as CEO. Gina Bartasi, returning CEO of Kindbody, provides a look at the strategies behind Kindbody's recent success and their vision for the future. Gina talks about Kindbody's announcement of profitability, new initiatives, and lessons learned by the company. Tune in as Gina Bartasi explores: The strategies behind Kindbody's profitability last quarter (And what that means moving forward) The introduction of a new celebrity partnership aimed at opening doors for fertility awareness. The tension between the volume of care required and maintaining high-quality service Her response to last year's  Bloomberg articles The delicate balance between business operations and medical practice in the clinical setting Kindbody's technology investments (Why they're banking on their own EMR)

Are you willing to fight for what's necessary to lead the fertility innovation revolution, or will you be a replaceable part when the new system emerges? Cynthia Hudson, veteran embryologist and scientific advisor, gives an earnest look at the current fertility system, the driving forces replacing it, and what that means for today's REIs. Tune in to hear Ms. Hudson discuss: The verticals creating a new disruptive system replacing the existing one (And the ones we're missing) New solutions revolutionizing the IVF space (Some you haven't heard of) REI's income potential if they lead innovation (And what happens if they don't) What it actually means to be leading the innovation revolution (Particularly in the IVF lab)

Is the consolidation of fertility clinics leading to a shortage of genetic counselors required to support these expanding networks? Returning guests Dr. Mili Thakur, Founder of Genome Ally, and Amber Kaplun, Lead Genetic Counselor at RMA America, provide their perspective. In this episode we discuss: Current procedures for genetics in IVF (and where they're falling short) What the ideal workflow should look like (for both patients and staff) Why adding an in-house genetic counselor saves money (maybe even your clinic from legal trouble) The 3 main ways clinics use genetic counseling (and which is best for long term growth) Also check out these episodes that feature this episode's guests: The Rise Of In-House Genetics Counselors At Fertility Centers: Featuring Amber Gamma 3 ways to increase fertility center revenue with genomics featuring Dr. Mili Thakur

Growing fertility networks need more staff at almost every level of the organization. But they can't get enough of them. Today's guest, Beth Zoneraich, CEO of Pinnacle Fertility, presents her approach to revolutionizing the patient experience and enhancing efficiency in fertility practices. Tune in as Beth explores: How she's refining the patient journey for optimal efficiency. (And why it involves the Ritz-Carlton) Market and workforce factors driving the need for more streamlined processes. Pinnacle's automation of EMR steps and improvements in patient intake. Strategies for segmenting and training specialized support staff. Navigating the separation between business and medicine in fertility. The impact of private equity on fertility practices and standards of care.

How did Maven turn into a unicorn, a new company with a $1Billion valuation? How did they raise $300M? Find out with today's guest, Kate Ryder, Founder & CEO of Maven Clinic, as she reveals the strategies behind Maven's extraordinary success and how she built a three comma company. Tune in as Kate takes us behind the scenes of Maven, covering: The secrets to making TTC coaching work within their business model (Even though its failed in so many others) The formation and impact of Maven Managed Benefit (Their carve-out admin program) Her vision for the future of managed care in fertility (And how traditional insurance may adapt) Lessons learned from her time in venture capital that shaped her entrepreneurial journey Her approach to hiring experts and building top-tier leadership

Are you considering the broader implications of third-party IVF in your practice? Today's guest, Melissa Lindsey, Founder of the non-profit Donor Conceived Community and a member of the donor-conceived community herself, delves into the ethical and real-life consequences of third-party IVF. She offers a much-needed perspective on how clinics and egg banks can better serve donor-conceived persons Tune in as Melissa discusses: What clinics and egg banks are doing wrong (and what some are doing right) Why Everie isn't scared of the DCC (Instead taking a proactive interest) Last year's legislation in Colorado What's fair for donor-conceived persons to expect vs. what someone can require of their own biological parents The real-life consequences for a donor-conceived person (False medical history, denied genetic testing, etc.)

Since 2019, Inside Reproductive Health has conducted over 220 interviews, featuring prominent physicians and executives from numerous fertility companies. Among them, nine CEOs continue to lead their respective Fertility Clinic Networks or chair their network's board. Together, their networks have overseen an estimated 1.6 million IVF cycles and other reproductive treatments that have resulted in over 2 million pregnancies, This is an episode you don't want to miss as we showcase: Gina Bartasi and the only three things she believes matter in healthcare Dave Burford sharing his battle-tested sales advice TJ Farnsworth's entrepreneurial journey and his perspective on the necessities of field wide collaboration. Dr. Kshitiz Murdia's reasoning on why doctors make good CEOs Marc Segal's perspective on private equity and its place in Fertility's future Francisco Lobbosco's first 100 days as CEO and the power of listening David Stern's steps to finding the right financial partner (Hint: It's like a marriage) Lisa Van Dolah's philosophy of transitioning nurses into executive leadership roles Andrew Meikle discussing the power of perspective (Both patient & entrepreneur)

When will embryologists be robots? Dr. Jacques Cohen, Chief Scientific Officer of Conceivable Life Sciences, walks us through the research and development currently underway for the automation of the IVF lab. Tune in to hear Dr. Cohen discuss: The next potential game changing innovations in IVF His opinion on time-lapse incubation and its future in the lab What the FDA doesn't like about AI solutions The $1B project to automating the IVF lab

What do embryologists do when they own stake in the company? If you're Professor Alison Campbell, Chief Scientific Officer and equity owner at Care Fertility, you'd build massive datasets to train a machine learning system to predict live births. With Alison we dive into: Their proprietary Caremaps-AI system (Saving 10 weeks of Embryologist time per year) Why CARE is building a machine learning system rather than using AI software already on the market How she pitted 10 of her best embryologists against an AI software she was skeptical of (And who won!) The one AI solution she likes for egg freezing (Why CARE Fertility uses that rather than building their own)

How do you prepare your patients for donor IVF in a way that provides the personalized care they need while setting the right expectations for their future? Dr. Mark Leondires, REI and co-founder of Illume Fertility,  tackles this question with Lisa Schuman, licensed clinical social worker and co-author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception. Tune in as Dr. Leondires & Ms. Schuman discuss: The criteria intended parents should focus on more when searching for donors (And focus on less) What's reasonable for intended parents to expect from their donors What's reasonable for donor-conceived children to expect from their donors The commodification of donor sperm and donor egg Speculation on how to solve the issue of 3rd Party IVF demand far outstripping the supply of carriers & donors

How does someone go from CCRM to one of the big fertility networks in Australia? What can fertility executives in the US and other countries learn from the consolidation that happened earlier in Australia? How does the Australian fertility market compare to the US? Find out on this week's podcast as Scott Portnoy, COO of Genea Fertility, gives an in-depth look at the current climate of the Australian fertility space. Tune in as Scott discusses the Australian perspective about: Where Australia is ahead of the US with Fertility (And where it's behind) Fellowship & training practices (And how it's impacting their doctor shortage) Donor and surrogacy regulations in the fertility market Fertility Networks going public (And why that may have happened sooner in Australia) The private equity backed consolidation in fertility (Foreshadowing what may happen in the States)

What trends are young REI doctors interested in? What do fertility practices need to consider when recruiting first year Fellows? Dr. Morgan Wilhoite, a first-year REI Fellow, provides insight into her career focus and how she's shaping her Fellowship experience to align with her goals. With Dr. Wilhoite we discuss: Her areas of learning interest during Fellowship (Valuable for clinics to see the trends for young REIs) The resources that all Fellows should be consuming to prepare for their ideal careers Why Privademic might become the default model for young REI career preferences Advice for clinics looking to recruit young fertility doctors (How to be ahead of the hiring curve)

Ever wondered how much your fertility clinic could achieve with just a 5% increase in efficiency? In this week's episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we explore this question with returning guest Dr. Mark Amols, Medical Director of New Direction Fertility Center, and Elizabeth Lee, VP of Wellnest Fertility. Join us as we dive into: The impact of your EMR on your clinic's performance Where a 5% efficiency boost can generate 25% overall clinical improvements How enhanced efficiency can unlock patient access to care A brief demo of Embie, spotlighting its clinic-streamlining features

You have an idea for a start-up that will completely revolutionize the fertility space and need seed money, how do you attract investors to believe in your idea? Dr. Santiago Munné, Co-Founder of Homu Health Ventures, offers up the investor side of that question as he gives an honest look at the venture capital landscape in the fertility space. Tune in as Dr. Munné: Introduces us to a different kind of venture capital in the fertility space Tells us the start-up must-haves for his company to invest Discusses AI: Tool or complete business solution? Reveals Homu Health's target ROI multiple (And their ROI timeline) Speaks on the current climate of the VC Market (Hint: Winter is coming)

The first 100 days are often the litmus test of leadership, and this week's guest rose to the occasion. Francisco Lobbosco, CEO of FutureLife, spent the first 100 days of his tenure hopping country to country, clinic to clinic, clinician to clinician while asking one set of questions. What he learned from his listening has created the blueprint for the future of FutureLife. Tune in to hear Francisco reveal: The questions he used to create his growth strategy. How his first 100 days inspired FutureLife's current mandate. FutureLife's 4-Pillars driving the company forward. A clinic's sweet spot for FutureLife acquisition [And the KPI's they look for] His philosophy on Quartile Growth Some of the solutions FutureLife is implementing [Including a new CRM] FutureLife's growth trajectory [And if they're expanding beyond the European continent in 2024]

IVF patients are dropping out and it isn't just about the money. Dr. Alice Domar, Chief Compassion Officer at Inception, discusses empathic communication and its role in minimizing patient stress and physician burnout. With Dr. Domar we dive into: Her definition of Patient Centered Care How she measures patient stress (comparing against retention rates) An example of a study she ran (the 67% difference in patient dropout) Her format for teaching empathic communication Common trigger points for patients (And their impacts on your reputation as a physician)

Capacity, Reach, and Concierge Service. Betsy John, Business Development Manager at My Egg Bank, shares how these three systems are necessary to growing your 3rd party IVF program. With Betsy we discuss: What Concierge Service looks like when serving your patients The burden 3rd party nurses have (And how you can alleviate that burden) The diversity of egg donors required for fertility practices to grow their 3rd party programs What fertility practices should avoid when working with a new egg bank The trends she sees on the horizon for donor egg IVF (Including AI for facial recognition) Why offering both fresh and frozen donor cycles is necessary (and how My Egg Bank helps with each)

The job market is red hot! There are more jobs open than people to fill them, true for the broader economy and just as true for the fertility field. Dr. Eric Widra, Senior Partner at Shady Grove, talks through his experience with recruiting and training personnel, and how to project future needs. Dr. Widra discusses: The need for Human Resources (And the risks they mitigate or eliminate) When to listen to what HR says you need (But also when to push back) Redundancy and cross training personnel (The appropriate levels to have) Adopting technology to automate and augment tasks (While eliminating others) Individual job training (And when company culture training becomes important) The “Godsend” technology solution that's made the workload and workflow of his financial counselors a lot more efficient.

Could your impact as an REI be magnified by where you live and practice? 3rd-year REI Fellow Dr. Zachary Walker shares his strategies for creating an impactful career, outlining where and how he intends to contribute to the fertility community. With Dr. Walker we discuss: Promoting diversity among patients, providers, and outcomes (And research needed in those areas) Income versus cost of living for REIs (Big cities vs. small) Establishing REI Fellowships in states without existing programs Talking about access to broader IVF care versus providing it

In the realm of fertility, many claim to prioritize personalized care. But how often is this a reality versus following predefined profiles? Daniella Gilboa, Co-Founder and CEO of AIVF, shares her thoughts and leverages her experience as a seasoned clinical embryologist to shine a light on where fertility can improve patient care and how AIVF is stepping up to the challenge. With Ms. Gilboa we discuss: Her definition of personalized care (Contrasting with what is being done today) The micro & macro of what's happening in the IVF field New technologies improving efficacy & efficiency (And where the two come together) AIVF's innovations allowing embryologists to do more cycles more effectively (And its impact on the embryo)  How this same technology can provide non-invasive genetic screening.

Exploring all the different approaches to IVF. That's the objective of this week's guest, 2nd year REI Fellow Dr. Sarah Cromack, who shares her thoughts on Fellowship, practice preferences and the future of the fertility field. Tune in as Dr. Cromack shares: Her 2 objectives for REI Fellowship (that every REI should have) The criteria for choosing an REI practice (when navigating the interview process) Why she prefers a bigger practice over a smaller one Where she stands on the Fellowship length debate (3 years or 2) What she'd like the fertility field to look like in 20 years

Has research output in REI atrophied? Dr. Kate Devine, Medical Director and Chief Research Officer at US Fertility, guides us through the current state of supply and demand for fertility services, and how Privademics could build the infrastructure to meet the growing demand for ART. Dr. Devine shares her thoughts on: Why, in her view, research in REI has atrophied Her robust definition of a Privademic Practice (and their advantages)   How Privademics can adopt new technologies faster (with a higher standard of quality control) The specific research she believes is needed to improve innovation Current technologies she's paying attention to Academic programs (will and should they be Privademic programs)

We bring back fertility entrepreneur Dr. John Schnorr to share his experience and advice for building companies in the fertility sector without investor money. Tune in as Dr. Schnorr talks about: Some great examples of how he's proven concept (both functionality & market value) The conditions for bootstrapping without a proven concept How Cycle Clarity gave equity to early employees (and how you might be able to do the same) The pros & cons of hiring top-down in the accountability chart (And bottom-up)

Scalable and solvable questions. According to Dr. James Grifo, Chief Executive Physician for [Inception Fertility (TM)], that's what REI's need to bring to the table to advance fertility medicine over the next 30 years. In this week's episode we look back at Dr. Grifo's fertility legacy and look forward to the new opportunities REIs have to create their own. Tune in as Dr. Grifo talks about: Your biggest opportunities in the years to come (From egg retrievals to streamlining ovulation induction) How to bring patient education into the culture Non-Selection Studies and how you may be leading them The unique opportunities the Prelude Network offers (Like pioneering research at the Prelude Research Institute) How one legacy career leads to another: Yours.

What does it take to grow a third party IVF Program? Dr. Daniel Shapiro and Dr. Monica Best from RBA Atlanta provide exclusive insights into the intricacies involved in establishing and developing a third-party IVF Program. Tune in to learn: The essentials to staying compliant with the FDA How to properly counsel patients on 3rd party options: Dr. Best's tips What to tell donors during the application process (And what to tell them if they're not selected) Processes currently impeding more 3rd party IVF cases (But how new technologies are changing that) Dr. Shapiro's hard-won lessons from running an egg bank

Is vertical integration inevitable? That's the question we explore this week with Louis Villalba, CEO of TMRW Life Sciences, as he dives into the consolidation and current business climate within the fertility space. Tune in to learn about: The 5 ancillary services of the fertility space (And how they make the distinction between vertical and horizontal integration) The argument against concentrating these services (Like risking new buckets of liability) The argument for concentrating these services (The sweet spot to acquiring a related service) Backward integration vs Forward integration (Move closer to raw materials or toward end patient consumers?) A breakdown of the recent major lawsuits in fertility (And what those would look like in a vertically integrated fertility space) Speculation on when we could expect to see antitrust regulation in the field

Your fertility center is growing. Do you expand your current office or build a new one? Lindsey McBain, Executive Director of IVI America, has overseen numerous IVIRMA office setups, relocations, and expansions, playing a key role when they relocated their headquarters to a new city. Tune in as Lindsey reveals: The differences between starting, expanding, and moving your office [And the unique considerations of each] The difference between building a new office and moving into an existing building [With and without a lab] When to Buy vs. when to Lease The non-negotiables that should go into a letter of intent for a new lease Building a Standard Operating Procedure for launching new locations [So organizations can do it at scale] How she selects vendors for each new site Some Pro tips for what small offices can do to save money [And simplify logistics]