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About FSMG
FSMG Team
Physicians
Drs. Morales and Lindheim both share a passion for patient care and are advocates in their commitment to support and facilitate a couple's journey through fertility therapy. Through individualized and empathetic care, Dr. Morales and Dr. Lindheim will team together to help you understand your treatment options and achieve your fertility goals.
Dr. Arlene J. Morales is the Founder and Medical Director of Fertility Specialists Medical Group and San Diego Center for Reproductive Surgery. She is nationally recognized as a leader in Reproductive Endocrinology and Bioethics and is a frequent guest speaker for radio and television programs. She has extensive experience in treating multi-faceted infertility issues. Dr. Morales possesses a strong desire and commitment to support and facilitate a couple's journey through fertility therapy. Through individualized and empathetic care, Dr. Morales will help you learn as much as possible about your diagnosis and your treatment options. She graduated from the Johns Hopkins University-School of Medicine and was a resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Morales completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of California, San Diego, and is currently Board Certified in both Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
Dr. Morales is involved on a national level with the Society of Assisted Reproduction Technology (SART). She had previously been the Director of IVF pregnancy at Emory University as an Associate Professor and returned to San Diego in 2000 where she became the Medical Director at the Sharp Fertility Center.
She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor (Voluntary) of Reproductive Medicine at UCSD where she lectures for medical students.
Dr. Steven R. Lindheim returns to California from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where he served as the division chief and medical director for the division of Reproductive Endocrine & Infertility. Dr. Lindheim is currently the Scientific Director and Director of 3rd Party Reproduction for The Fertility Specialists Medical Group and the San Diego Center for Reproductive Surgery. He graduated from the Temple School of Medicine and was a resident at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Lindheim completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at USC, and is currently Board Certified in both Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
Dr. Lindheim is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of assisted reproduction, has over 80 scientific publications, and serves on national committees including the Society for Reproductive Surgeons and The Androgen Excess Society. He has extensive experience in treating such conditions as endometriosis, menopause, and polycystic ovarian syndrome as they are related to infertility and is also recognized as a national leader in advanced hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.
His empathetic and personal approach to couples seeking gynecologic and reproductive care has been recognized by his peers who awarded him "Top Doctor." Recognizing the need for patient education, Dr. Lindheim has also been an active participant in such societies as Resolve and the American Infertility Association.
Embryology
Joe Conaghan, Ph.D., HCLD, is the laboratory director at Pacific Fertility Center. Known internationally for his work on improving embryo culture conditions, he comes with 19 years experience working in embryology and andrology laboratories. Dr. Conaghan did his Ph.D. in human embryology under the direction of Dr. Alan Handyside and Dr. Henry Leese at the University of London, and was trained in embryology at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, where he spent 7 years. More recently, he spent 5 years as the IVF laboratory director at the University of California San Francisco. He is currently the off-site laboratory director for Fertility Specialists of San Diego. He is board certified as a High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD) in the disciplines of Embryology and Andrology.
Dr. Conaghan's interests are in developing programs for the treatment for severe male factor infertility, diagnosis of genetic disease in embryos, improved embryo culture and improving protocols for embryo freezing. As laboratory director he is responsible for maintaining the highest possible standards in the laboratory and providing superior patient care. Working with experienced embryologists in modern facilities, he ensures that all patients get the best treatment available.
Dr. Conaghan is a reproductive laboratory inspector for the College of American Pathologists and is formally involved in the training and licensure of new embryologists through his work with the American Board of Bioanalysts (ABB), the licensing agency for embryologists and andrologists in the USA. He also sits on the ABB Board of Directors and is the current Chair of the College of Reproductive Biology. He teaches Reproductive Technology at San Francisco State University where he is a faculty member. He lives just outside San Francisco in Half Moon Bay with his wife and 3 children.
Our FSMG/SDCRS embryology team is comprised of Dr. Conaghan and Embryologists Michelle Gaona, MT (ASCP), TS (ABB) and Kathyrn Pache, MS have a combined experience of twenty-three years in Embryology and Reproductive Research. Both Michelle and Kate are responsible for day to day operations of both andrology and embryology laboratories. Our embryologists are also active members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and The San Diego Reproductive Endocrinology Society which provides for continued education.
Clinical Staff
Our FSMG/SDCRS clinical team includes mid-level practitioners, registered nurses and medical assistants, all of whom will play important roles throughout your evaluation and treatment, while maintaining a respectful and professional environment.
Kristan Kaine, PA-C
Kristan Kaine, Physician Assistant (P.A.); Amy Hogan, R.N.; and Carol Mills, R.N. have all obtained advanced training and education in the field of women's health and reproduction. Each serves to educate and coordinate all assisted reproduction cycles. Kristan also serves as coordinator of 3rd Party Reproduction, (i.e. egg donation, surrogates, etc.). Amy holds the position of Clinical Manager for FSMG, overseeing the coordination of all clinical staffing, while Carol is nurse administrator for The San Diego Center For Reproductive Surgery.
Our Medical Assistants are a valuable component to our team. They are certified phlebotomists who will be drawing your blood, assisting the doctors with your daily ultrasounds, and helping with egg retrievals and embryo transfers.
Front Desk Team (from left to right): Diane Cain, Grace Mata & Stephanie Higuera
Lab Team (from left to right): Rita Beckham, MT; Marissela McKee, MA; Kate Pache, MS & Michelle Gaona, MT (ASCP), TS (ABB)
Clinical Team (from left to right):top row: Julie Norman, MA; Lluvia Mendez, MA; Adena Harris, MA; not shown: Vanessa Partida, MA bottom row: Carol Mills, RN; Amy Hogan, RN
Financial Team (from left to right): Jenna Ramos, Deborah Kopkowski & Enedina Fuentes
Last updated: July 22, 2008
Author: Dr. Arlene J. Morales