Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Harry J. Lieman, MD
Division Director
718.430.3152
Overview
The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility is composed of clinicians and scientists from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center. The collective experience of this group brings essential expertise to the care of couples dealing with problems of fertility as well as to women with hormonal problems or menopause issues. In addition to our clinical programs, the Division's members carry out an active program of research in infertility, endocrinology, and menopause. This Division has been a leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology/infertility for over 15 years.
Montefiore's Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health
Montefiore's Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health is the only full service fertility center in Westchester County. All of the staff and all of the facilities that are needed to help build families--from andrology to IVF--are located at one site.
For complete information about the services offered, physician staff, and success rates for fertility treatments, go to: http://www.montefiore.org/ivf
The Institute is located at:
141 S. Central Avenue, Suite 201
Hartsdale, NY 10530
Telephone: 914.997.1060
1695 Eastchester Road, Suite 302
Bronx, NY 10461
Telephone: 718.405.8590
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Research Initiatives
The Center for Reproductive Biology is an interdisciplinary research center that combines some of the most active basic scientists at AECOM with the physician scientists in the Division. Dr. Jeffrey Pollard directs the Center, and Dr. Nanette Santoro (former Division Director) was the former Associate Director. The Center was established to facilitate collaborative studies of reproductive biology. Additional members include: Maureen Charron, PhD, Streamson Chua, MD, Anne Etgen, PhD, Sangita Jindal, PhD, Satu Kuokkanen, MD, PhD, Tom Meier, PhD, Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, Staci Pollack, MD, and Alex Polotsky, MD, MSc. Research is conducted in four major areas: reproductive aging, neuroendocrinology, gamete biology, and endometrial physiology.
Clinical Trials in Menopause: The Division is active in performing clinical trials in women who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Drs. Nanette Santoro, Ruth Freeman, and Judi Chervenak have supervised these studies. Barbara Isaac, RN, is the Nurse Coordinator for the KEEPS trial. Dr. Ruth Freeman is also investigating methods for women to self-diagnose whether or not they are menopausal. Some studies are carried out at the Institute for Women's Health at 1695 Eastchester Road. Sheila Jozak, RN, is the patient recruiter for these studies. She can be reached at 718.405-8119. Clinical trials include: KEEPS (the Kronos early estrogen prevention study), SWAN (the study of women's health across the nation), and others using alternative medicine, and new treatments for osteoporosis.
The Women's Health Initiative is the largest clinical trial ever funded by the National Institutes of Health. This now famous study is in the process of examining the effects of hormone replacement therapy, dietary fat reduction, and calcium and vitamin D on the health of postmenopausal women. The ability of hormones, with or without diet, to protect against cardiovascular disease has been partially assessed, and the ability of calcium and vitamin D to prevent fractures will be addressed. Enrollment into the Women's Health Initiative is now complete. Interested women can call 1-800-54-WOMEN (1-800-549-6636) for information about the progress of this major study in Women's Health.
Clinical Research on the Reproductive Effects of Weight Loss in Women has been conducted by Dr. Nanette Santoro, along with C J Segal-Isaacson, PhD, and Alex Polotsky, MD, MSc. In these studies, women who are soon to undergo obesity surgery (gastric bypass) are being studied as they undergo dramatic weight loss. The purpose of these studies is to gain insight into what types of hormonal patterns are related to reproductive problems in very large women. Interested women can contact Barbara Isaac, RN, research nurse, at 718.430.8656.
Clinical Trials on Women with Reproductive Disorders is conducted by the Division involving women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and women with infertility who are seeking treatment. Dr. Harry Lieman supervises these studies. Interested women can contact Barbara Isaac, research nurse, at 718.430.8656. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is being developed in collaboration with Dr. Susan Klugman, Division of Reproductive Genetics. Dr. Sangita Jindal will be supervising these efforts to help couples who are carriers for genetic disorders use embryo selection techniques to avoid the birth of affected children.
Clinical Research on Puberty and Development of Reproductive Disorders is a research interest of the Division. Drs. Nanette Santoro, Alex Polotsky, and Staci Pollack have been studying the long term hormone patterns of normal girls and will track those who go on to develop reproductive disorders. Interested potential participants should contact Dr. Staci Pollack at 718.430.3152. Dr. Maureen Charron, of the Department of Biochemisty, also conducts basic science research in this area with Fellows in Reproductive Endocrinology.
Clinical Research on Human Endometrial Maturation is currently being conducted by Drs. Jeffrey Pollard, Nanette Santoro, and Satu Kuokkanen. The purpose of these studies is to better understand what factors make the uterus receptive for pregnancy.
Basic Science Research on the effects of brain hormones and neurotransmitters on reproductive function are carried out by Fellows in Reproductive Endocrinology under the supervision of Drs. Ann Etgen and Genevieve Neal-Perry.
Reproductive Endocrinology Division Faculty
Harry J. Lieman, MD, Interim Division Director, and Medical Director of Montefiore's Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health Practice
Nanette Santoro, MD, former Division Director, now Visiting Professor
Sangita Jindal, PhD, IVF Laboratory Director/Embryologist
Erkan Buyuk, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Brian Cohen, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Judi Chervenak, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Ruth Freeman, MD, Endocrinology
Beth McAvey, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Edward Illions, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Peter Klatsky, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Satu Kuokkanen, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, Fellowship Director, Endocrinology/Infertility
Staci Pollack, MD, Associate Fellowship Director, Endocrinology/Infertility
Christina Veit, MD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Samuel Zev Williams, MD, PhD, Endocrinology/Infertility
Current Fellows
Joseph Davis, DO
Edward Nejat, MD
Obehi Asemota, MD
Thomas Fisher, DO
Jayme Bosler, MD
Rashmi Kudesia, MD
For additional information about the Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, click here.