In an era where public companies and large corporates own many of the IVF clinics in both the USA and Australia, the situation highlights one burning question – What happens to patient care when big business steps in?
It is estimated that large corporate-owned clinics look after over 80% of the IVF cycles in Australia. Over the past decade, many of these clinics have seen a major turnover of employees and physicians, when the management teams change. It is an age-old problem when new management wants to reinvent the ‘culture’ the entire clinic feels a domino effect of changes.
For years, the USA lagged behind in corporate IVF clinic buy-outs but has, in recent years, been quick to catch up. One group has hoovered up at least 49 US IVF doctors into its fold. The biggest group, has scooped up five large US IVF brands, taking in over 200 doctors. One US IVF professional that is proud to be independent is Dr. Minoos Hosseinzadeh, of Fertility Institute of San Diego (FISD). Dr Minoos has worked in reproductive medicine for over 25 years, with a significant portion involving egg donation and surrogacy.
Ahead of FISD’s visit to Australia to headline Sydney’s annual Donor & Surrogacy Conference, I interviewed Dr Minoos.
Q: What made you choose this medical specialty?
A: I was drawn to reproductive medicine because of its deeply personal and transformative impact on individuals and families. The opportunity to combine cutting-edge science with compassionate care and witness the joy of building families is what fuels my passion every day. Helping patients navigate their fertility journeys is not just my profession— it’s my calling.
Q. What are the advantages of a clinician-owned practice?
A: I emphasize personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Unlike corporatized practices, where patient care may be influenced by business-driven goals, the Fertility Institute of San Diego provides a more intimate, patient-focused experience. My patients benefit from direct access to me at every step of their journey, ensuring continuity of care and a deep understanding of their individual cases. I perform all egg retrievals and embryo transfers. This contrasts with the “doc of the day” model often found in larger practices, where patients may see a different physician at each visit.
Q. What is the average number of eggs patients can expect from an IVF cycle?
A: Patients using a pre-vetted donor under the age of 30 can expect an average of 20 mature eggs per retrieval cycle. At the Fertility Institute of San Diego, we carefully select donors who meet rigorous health and fertility criteria to optimize outcomes for intended parents.
These numbers are excellent in the IVF field across the world. This is due to; an absence of interested high projected outcome donors in some areas, differences in stimulation protocols, and exceptional embryology practices. One Australian who engaged in the US for embryo creation after numerous cycles at home, noticed that her US clinic produced three times as many viable embryos in one cycle.
Q. What is the average live birth rate a patient can expect?
A: With a pre-vetted donor aged under 30 years, the average per-transfer live birth rate at the Fertility Institute of San Diego is approximately 80%. My team and I are committed to achieving high success rates through meticulous protocols and personalized treatment plans.
Q. What do you most enjoy about your work?
A: The most rewarding aspect is the privilege of helping patients build their families. I find immense fulfillment in forming lasting relationships with my patients and celebrating their journeys to parenthood. Witnessing the joy of a positive pregnancy test or the first family photo makes every challenge worthwhile.
Q. What Sets the Fertility Institute of San Diego Apart?
A: We are a unique practice in many ways. As a woman-owned, single-physician practice, we provide highly personalized and patient-centered care. Our boutique approach fosters trust.
We are also a multi-language facility, catering to the needs of diverse patients from international locations. We maintain a warm and welcoming environment that prioritizes privacy, comfort, and individualized attention. These values, coupled with our commitment to achieving high success rates.