Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI) Experts Receive International Recognition for Their Contributions to the Field of Reproductive Endocrinology

Reinforcing their position as one of the nation’s leading infertility treatment practices, fertility experts from Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI) have recently received a series of accolades for their significant contributions to the field of reproductive endocrinology including a featured placement on Oprah, a published book on Oocyte Vitrification and speaking invitations from several high profile international fertility conventions.

Dr. Angie Beltsos, Medical Director of the FCI River North Laboratory in Chicago was asked to lend her medical expertise on the Oprah Winfrey Show during a taping on October 2nd, to discuss the complicated topic of Third Party Collaborative Reproduction (embryo donation / surrogacy). Dr Beltosos was also asked to share her medical perspective on the cost of donor programs within the United States and address the challenges faced by couples seeking third party reproduction.

During the taping, Dr. Beltsos also spoke about treatment options for older patients, as well as the active involvement of Fertility Centers of Illinois in various IVF studies that allow free fertility treatment for couples otherwise unable to make the financial commitment. Studies like these provide much safer and more controlled options for couples that would perhaps forego treatment altogether, or seek less reliable, overseas alternatives. Dr. Beltsos is highly regarded for her continuing contributions to nationally recognized studies and the development of advanced reproductive technologies.

Dr. Juergen Liebermann, Scientific Director for Fertility Centers of Illinois has announced the completion of a one-of-a-kind publication entitled “Vitrification in Human Assisted Reproduction”, which he edited with the help of Michael Tucker, Scientific Director for Georgia Reproductive Specialists. Together, Dr Liebermann and Dr. Tucker are among the first to pioneer Oocyte Vitrification, a cutting edge fertility preservation technique involving the rapid freezing of women’s eggs for future thawing and fertilization; a technique resulting in much improved pregnancy rates over older freezing methods. The book presents successful, state of the art cryopreservation techniques and also addresses means of overcoming typically encountered problems. Published by Informa, one of the largest and most reputable global publishing houses in the field of medicine, the title is set to be released at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine convention in Washington DC later this month.

Expanding his recognition for contributions to Vitrification, Dr. Liebermann has also presented his information at several high profile, international conventions. Among the most recent was the 14th World Congress on In Vitro Fertilization in Montreal Canada, presented by the International Society for In Vitro Fertilization. Dr. Liebermann lent his expertise to workshops that provided the very latest knowledge of Cryopreservation of Blastocysts by Vitrification and the outstanding results currently being produced by Fertility Centers of Illinois, River North location.

In September, Dr. Liebermann also presented at a world scientific symposium in Athens, which was organized by Embryogenesis, one of the biggest IVF units in Greece. Dr Liebermann’s presentation also addressed the very latest in Human Blastocyst Vitrification by Fertility Centers of Illinois, as well as future trends for this advanced fertility preservation method. During his time in Greece, Dr. Liebermann featured on SKY and NET TV where he interviewed about oocyte cropereservation, the highly sophisticated techniques currently available and the growing trends towards fertility preservation. Added to this, Dr. Liebermann is also set to speak at the 16th International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR) in Budapest in 2008, where he will address Vitrification as a novel cryopreservation technique for oocytes, embryos and blastocysts.

Kevin Lederer, M.D. and President of Fertility Centers of Illinois congratulates the physicians on their well-deserved achievements and says that it’s an honor to work with experts that are held in such high esteem. “Staying on top of the latest research and medical education has always been a primary focus for FCI. I am proud to work with such accomplished physicians that deliver successful results to more families than any other fertility specialists in Chicago,” he says.

ABOUT FERTILITY CENTERS OF ILLINOIS

Fertility Centers of Illinois, S.C., is one of the nation’s leading infertility treatment practices, providing advanced reproductive endocrinology services in the Chicago area for over 25 years. FCI has more babies born than the next ten centers combined with high success rates that are recognized throughout the nation. In addition to a team of nationally recognized reproductive physicians who stay current on the latest technology and procedures, FCI patients have access to many other unique support services, such as professional counseling from a licensed, Ph.D. clinical psychologist, patient advocates and innovative financial options. FCI is part of IntegraMed, the nation’s largest and most reputable network of fertility centers and has multiple offices conveniently located throughout the Chicago area. For more information visit www.fcionline.com