We’ve seen it happen all over the country and you’ve probably seen it in your backyard--clinics are merging and consolidating, absorbing the market share. But with the fall of Integramed in the spring of 2020 and dozens of clinics left in the lurch, mergers and consolidations started to appear more risky.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Mark Segal, CEO of Shady Grove Fertility and CEO of the newly-formed US Fertility, a fertility group made up of Shady Grove Fertility, IVF Florida, RSC of the Bay Area, and FCI in Chicago. Despite forming in a pandemic and after the Integramed news, US Fertility’s partnerships thrive--and are geared to keep growing, especially in the next 18 months. So what does that mean for the hundreds of smaller clinics that continue to remain in the field?

Creating a succession plan can be a daunting task for both new REIs entering the field and docs who are ready to retire. New REIs are looking for a place to call “home” that will help them meet their goals, while retiring docs want someone who will carry on their legacy and maintain their core values.

On this episode, Griffin talks to Dr. Paul Brezina, Director of Reproductive Genetics at the Fertility Associates of Memphis. After finishing his fellowship, Dr. Paul Brezina set out to find a private practice to join with the hopes of one day being a managing partner. From day one at Fertility Associates of Memphis, he knew what needed to be done to join the two founding partners of the clinic. While sharing his story, Dr. Paul Brezina shares his thoughts about creating succession plans and what new REIs should be looking and asking for as they set out in their careers in the fertility field.

Academic clinics, independently-owned private clinics, network clinics. With a variety of options for a new REI to choose from, it’s hard to decide just which one is best.

After working in almost every REI path, Dr. Samuel Brown decided to go out on a limb and start his own practice. Today, Brown Fertility is a flourishing independently-owned fertility clinic located throughout Florida.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Dr. Brown shares his experiences in all types of career paths and what led him to decide to form his own practice. He tells it all: the ups-and-downs of owning your own clinic, some tips on handling business challenges in a fertility practice, and why he chooses to remain independent despite a changing field. Dr. Brown also offers his perspective on the future of the independent REI clinic.

Dr. Eric Forman currently serves as the Medical and Lab Director at Columbia University in New York City. After his fellowship and early years as an REI in a private practice, Dr. Forman took an opportunity to join one of the most well-known academic REI divisions in the country.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin and Dr. Forman take a look at both the private practice and the academic REI division models, dissecting the pros and cons of each. From restrictions on care to cumbersome processes, Dr. Forman corrects some preconceived notions and offers his advice to new fellows searching for the right career path for them.

Dr. Cindy Duke is the founder Physician, Medical Director, and Lab Director at Nevada Fertility Institute in Las Vegas. While finishing fellowship, Dr. Duke began to pursue a unique start to her career in fertility: a de novo clinic for a fertility network. Combining her passion for research and patient care, she was able to form her own clinic, all while remaining under the umbrella of a supporting network.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin and Dr. Duke dig into why she chose this career path and just how she was able to get a nationwide network on board. Dr. Duke also shares the balance between influencer and leader in her clinic and the field as a whole. Griffin and Dr. Duke also reminisce about Rochester, New York and the benefits of “small town” fertility clinics.

As we head into a new (and hopefully better) year, we wanted to take a look back on all the wonderful, inspiring guests we had on Inside Reproductive Health throughout the year. We talked about affordable care, mentoring new staff in the clinic and the lab. We learned about independent clinics and how they thrive despite heavy network competition, networks and how they continue to provide personalized care even after becoming publicly-owned. We talked about reducing physician burnout and increasing patient communication. And so much more.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we highlighted your favorite episodes and compiled the best clips into one episode for you to enjoy as 2020 wraps up.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. John Crochet of the Center of Reproductive Medicine. CoRM is an independently-owned clinic based in Houston, Texas, one of the largest markets in the field. In recent years, PE-owned and PE-backed clinics have started to take over the city, making the independent clinic almost obsolete… or have they?

Together, we discuss how the Center of Reproductive Medicine continues to thrive despite the money being funneled into their competitors in the market. From how they hire new docs to their philosophy on patient experience, we hear it all.

Dr. John Crochet trained in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Duke University and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas. Originally from Texas, Dr. Crochet went back to his roots, joining the Center of Reproductive Medicine in 2012. As an REI, Dr. Crochet has a goal of providing personalized care and an evidence-based approach to each family hoping to expand.

Wall Street has been moving into healthcare for several years and it has been making its mark in the fertility field. Some practices have taken advantage of the influx of money in the field, but several haven’t. But several docs have some concerns, specifically when it comes to decision making.

Do private equity firms or people who invest in fertility clinics and businesses really have the best patient care in mind?

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Francisco Arredondo, founder of RMA of Texas and author of his upcoming book, MedikalPreneur. Together, we dive into the pros and cons of money entering our field in the form of private equity.

August is here. Usually, it's the time for vacations and recharging. But not in 2020. It's a different time now and finding the balance between work and life is trickier than ever.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Dr. Stephanie Gustin of Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC in Omaha, Nebraska. Between seeing patients, running her independent practice with her partner, teaching OB/GYN residents, raising a family of her own, and making time for herself, it’s safe to say that Dr. Gustin has a pretty full plate. Despite it all, however, she has found a work-life fit that works for her. So what is her secret?

Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Gustin at heartlandfertility.com

Choosing when to retire, or more simply, whether or not one should retire, is a difficult question. It takes lots of reflection, looking back on one’s journey throughout their professional life and whether or not they feel like they’ve left no stone unturned as their journey comes to an end. In the field of fertility, it can be even more difficult to make that decision.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Selwyn Oskowitz, founder of Boston IVF and heads the Rwanda Fertility Initiative, an organization with a mission to provide affordable fertility services to every citizen of Rwanda. Dr. Oskowitz retired in 2016, leaving behind a legacy that left its mark across the entire field of reproductive medicine in the United States and beyond. In addition to sharing what he’s been doing with RII, Dr. Oskowitz also discusses why he chose to retire and what he sees are the biggest positive changes to come to our field.

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