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entrepreneurship

99 - Entrepreneurship, Practice Valuation, and Working with Private Equity, an interview with Dr. Andrew Meikle

Are all clinic owners entrepreneurs? Do all physician-owners really have what it takes to successfully run and grow a private practice?

We’ve talked about joining networks, understanding private equity, and entrepreneurship a lot on this podcast, but usually we are talking about high-level practices to get patients in the door and help them convert to treatment. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we get a new perspective, one that focuses on entrepreneurship, best business practices, and what it really takes to grow in our field.

Dr. Andrew Meikle is the Founder and CEO of The Fertility Partners, a company based in Canada that aims to empower and enable fertility clinics by providing collaboration and strategic expertise. Through his experience in other healthcare fields and his current work in the fertility field, Dr. Meikle shares his thoughts on clinic ownership and entrepreneurship, what fertility networks are looking for, and important things to keep in mind when considering joining private equity.

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94 - How Modern Fertility is Changing the Patient Journey, an interview with Afton Vechery

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After her own experience with fertility testing, Afton Vechery set out to make the testing process easier for millions of women across the country looking for a better understanding of their reproductive health. From day one, Modern Fertility aimed to provide quality, peer-reviewed information to empower young women to have the knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about her fertility.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Afton shares the Modern Fertility story. She shares how she brought her vision to life, including how she has been able to raise funds from Venture Capital companies. Griffin and Afton also discuss how Modern Fertility hopes to work with fertility clinics to improve the patient experience across the board.

92 - Increasing Access-to-Care for All Patient Populations, an interview with Dr. Marjorie Dixon

Marjorie Dixon is the founder, CEO, and Medical Director of Anova Fertility and Reproductive Health in Toronto, Canada. After completing her training in the States and experiencing what the field was like in her home country of Canada, Dr. Dixon knew she wanted to start a new clinic that used the best technology, provided the best care, and increased access-to-care for the LGBTQI+ population, one that was close to her heart.

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin digs into why Dr. Dixon chose to start her clinic in Toronto and what she does to not only increase the availability of care to all populations, but what she does to make them feel welcome in her practice.

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90 - The Best of 2020

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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.

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85 - Venture Capital and Its Interests in the Fertility Field, an interview with Dr. David Sable

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Venture Capital has been slowly making its way into the field over the last several years. But just what is it looking to improve?

On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. David Sable, a retired REI and current serial investor in biotechnology and other companies that aim to make the field more efficient and accessible by the patients we aim to treat. They discuss what it is going to take to scale to a million cycles in the US and 15 million around the world. From lessons from oncology to bottlenecks holding us back, Dr. Sable shares his biggest hopes for the fertility field and what entrepreneurs need to do to get it to the next level.

Dr. David Sable co-founded and served as director of the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey, was founder of Assisted Reproductive Medical Technologies, and was co-founder of Reprogenetics. In addition to serving as a reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Sable also sought to help the field as a whole by finding investors to create new technology to increase the amount of people served by the field. Today, Dr. Sable is a life sciences portfolio manager, an adjunct at Columbia University, and serves as director, advisor, and board member for a wide range of biotech and advocacy organizations.

Learn more about Dr. David Sable at www.dbsable.com or find him on Twitter @dbsable.

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83 - Growing an Independent Practice in the World’s Most Private Equity Dominated Market, an interview with Dr. John Crochet

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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.

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74 - Physicians and Business People: Polar Opposites or One in the Same? An interview with Dr. Francisco Arredondo

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Can physicians be business people? It’s not a part of their medical training. And medical problem solving isn’t exactly like business problem solving. So is it even possible for successful physicians to be equally successful entrepreneurs?

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. Dr. Arredondo digs into a few concepts discussed in his book, focusing mainly on the similarities and differences between the traditional physician and the traditional entrepreneur. Listen to find out what it takes for physicians who wish to also be entrepreneurs in the fertility field to be successful in both endeavors.

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66 - Can Fertility Clinics Support New Doctors and Staff after the COVID-19 Pandemic?

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The past several weeks have brought about new decisions that clinics never thought they’d have to face. Pausing treatments for almost all patients, furloughing or laying-off staff because of that pause, and so many other never-before-seen challenges. Hopefully, the light at the end of the tunnel is coming and clinics can get back to business as (almost) usual. But what about all the doctors in limbo? Doctors are coming out of fellowship, ready to make a difference in the lives of thousands of patients, but will they have a place to go when restrictions are lifted?

Continuing in our COVID-19 Business Response Series on Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin was joined by Dr. Ruben Alvero of Stanford University Medical Center, Dr. Angie Beltsos of VIOS Fertility Institute, and TJ Farnsworth of Inception Fertility Ventures. Together, they take a look at what will happen once clinics reopen: Will they be able to operate normally? Will contracts from fellows be honored? Will more staff be needed if a backlog of patients is ready to start treatment? These questions and more are discussed among the panelists, hopefully shedding a positive light on the future of clinics after COVID-19.

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58 - From Fellow to Partner: Advice for New Associates and Growing Practices, An Interview with Lowell Ku

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Large practice networks and groups with private equity backing are becoming more and more attractive to new REIs coming out of fellowship. Is there still a draw for new doctors to join smaller, independently-owned practices? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Lowell Ku, Senior Partner and Medical Director at Dallas IVF. Dr. Ku left fellowship with a plan to join academia, but was quickly drawn into being his own boss at a small privately-owned clinic. Dr. Ku shares his story about why he chose this path and offers his advice to new fellows who are searching for answers to determine their own path in the fertility world.

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56 - Beyond Patient Protocols: Supporting All Aspects of The Fertility Journey, An Interview with Connie Stark

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Patient retention is a crucial part to the success of any clinic. While good success rates and pleasant staff can get patients to continue treatment with you, there are other ways that your clinic can help. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Connie Stark of A.R.T. of Wellness. Their discussion uncovers a new way to help retain patients. Learn about the five aspects of life Connie focuses on in her coaching services and how integrative care can keep your patients all in on their fertility journey.

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55 - Easing the Strain of Embryo Disposition on Patients and Clinics, An Interview with Andy Gairani

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Embryo disposition is a sensitive topic for patients even long after they’ve left a clinic. However, there can also be a burden placed on clinics when it comes to making space and cryopreserving embryo, eggs, or sperm for an extended period of time. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, we learn more about how one company is working to alleviate the burden for both the patient and the clinic. Listen to Griffin talk to Andrew Gairani of Embryo Options, a web-based application that provides patients with disposition education and resources, along with other features that make storage easier for everyone.

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54 - Improving Patient Experience by Building an Empowered Team, An Interview with Dr. Peter Klatsky

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There’s a challenge in finding the balance between keeping both your staff and patients happy. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin gets Dr. Peter Klatsky’s take on managing everyone’s satisfaction while providing a new standard of care. Working with his partners at Spring Fertility in California, their goal is to provide their patients a level of service that isn’t seen anywhere else, all while keeping their employees happy and in for the long haul.

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50 - What Impact Will Future REIs Have on the Evolution of Patient Care? An Interview with Dr. Pietro Bortoletto

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Millennial REIs are finishing their fellowship programs and entering the workforce. With this passing of the torch, change is bound to happen, but what kind of changes can we expect? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Pietro Bortoletto, an REI Fellow at Weill Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Bortoletto shares his thoughts on the future of REI clinics, both privately-owned and academic, and how the millennial doctors can make a positive impact on their patients and the field as a whole. 

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48 - David Wolf, Do Regulatory Restrictions Hinder or Help Innovation in the Fertility Field?

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“...I think fighting consolidation is not going to be a winning strategy in the long run. That being said, I think there's still lots of room for creative, innovative, entrepreneurial operators whether they’re at the clinic level or the supplier level and... as the field gets bigger and gets more interesting from a public capital markets perspective, there's going to be a lot more opportunity for funding those exciting innovations.”

Consolidation, IPO, publicly-owned...all words that weren’t a part of the fertility world vocabulary 10 years ago. Now, they are becoming more and more common, which can be both exciting and nerve-wracking to entrepreneurs in the field. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin Jones, founder of Fertility Bridge, talks to David Wolf, President and CEO of Hamilton Thorne. They discuss the implications of consolidation coming into the fertility world as well as the pros and cons of both publicly- and privately-owned clinics and suppliers.

Click here to learn more about David Wolf and Hamilton Thorne.

To get started on a marketing plan for your company, complete the Goal and Competitive Diagnostic at FertilityBridge.com.

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46 - Can Innovative Practice Culture Drive Patient Satisfaction? An Interview with Dr. Alan Copperman

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Building and growing an IVF practice can have numerous benefits for both the owners and the patients they serve. But growth can sometimes lead to loss of patient-focused care. On this episode, Griffin Jones, CEO of Fertility Bridge and host of Inside Reproductive Health, talks to Dr. Alan Copperman, Co-Founder and Medical Director of RMA of New York, one of the nation’s largest IVF centers. Together, they discuss how RMA of New York was able to retain their patient-focused culture while exponentially growing the practice. Their approach to delegating important tasks, understanding the “new” patient, and finding the right, compassionate employees has greatly contributed to their success today.

To learn more about Dr. Copperman and Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, visit their website at https://www.rmany.com/.

Visit fertilitybridge.com to learn more about what Griffin and his team can do for your fertility clinic and take the first step in building your marketing system with the Goal and Competitive Diagnostic.

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45 - From Patient to Fertility Entrepreneur, An Interview with TJ Farnsworth

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While outcomes are so important in the field of fertility, the patient journey can easily be lost. After going through his own journey, TJ Farnsworth founded Inception Fertility, a group of fertility practices across the country hoping to provide positive experiences for their patients. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin and TJ discuss the culture of Inception Fertility and how empowering your employees to be champions for your patients can have a meaningful impact on their experience. TJ also shares his thoughts on increasing collaboration between fertility clinics across the country and how that can mean success for everyone.

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41 - Are Young REIs Entrepreneurial? One REI Fellow’s Vision for the Field, Eduardo Hariton, MD, MBA

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The business of medicine is complicated and more often than not, the concept is split and managed by two people with different backgrounds and education. But what if they merged? On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin talks to Dr. Eduardo Hariton, a clinical fellow at the University of California in San Francisco. While attending Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hariton also attended Harvard Business School, simultaneously earning his MBA. Griffin and Dr. Hariton discuss the merging of business and medicine and how new REIs can gain business skills while still focusing on what is important: the patient.

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38 - Building Community: The Rise of Instagram Among REIs, Dr. Candice Perfetto

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Growing your followers on social media can be challenging, especially when your niche is focused on fertility. On this episode of Inside Reproductive Health, Griffin Jones, founder of Fertility Bridge, talks to Dr. Candice Perfetto, a board-certified REI working in Houston, Texas. Dr. Perfetto has grown her following on Instagram to over 10,000 followers and has seen the effort carry over into her practice. She discusses why she got started on Instagram and how she uses social media to build relationships with other practitioners and patients, both near and far. You can find Candice on Instagram at @candiceperfettomd.

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37 - Confessions of an IVF Marketer, An Interview with Griffin Jones

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We’ve flipped the script on this episode of Inside Reproductive Health and interviewed our esteemed host, Griffin Jones! Stephanie Linder interviews Griffin, founder of Fertility Bridge, and learns the mission of Fertility Bridge and why he chose to help the field of fertility. Griffin also shares his thoughts on who is doing well and what clinics could be doing to reach more patients and make their mark on the field as a whole.

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29 - What is shifting the entrepreneurial landscape for incoming REIs? Rhonda Zwingerman, MD

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In this episode, Griffin hosts Dr. Rhonda Zwingerman, a fellow OB-GYN and REI at the Royal Surgeons of Canada and an assistant professor of OB-GYN at the University of Toronto. Jones and Dr. Zwingerman talk about the factors shifting the entrepreneurial landscape for incoming REIs including the funding of fertility treatments, the recruiting of REIs, and the risks involved. Tune in to find out more!