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In April 2024, the Center of Reproductive Health (CRH), a fertility clinic based in Nashville, closed its doors due to an inability to pay its employees. The facility’s owner, Jaime M. Vasquez, M.D., has since been sued by the Tennessee Attorney General.
According to a statement from the Attorney General’s office, the clinic’s “abrupt closure” left numerous fertility patients in a lurch: The future of their care, access to medical records, and security of their frozen eggs, sperm, and embryos was now a huge question mark.
Just a few weeks later after the clinic shut down, former CRH patients were hit with even more shocking news: Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 reported that one of the clinic’s “fertility specialists,” Farere Dyer, not only wasn’t a reproductive endocrinologist, but he wasn’t even a licensed medical doctor.
Despite analyzing patients’ ultrasounds, lab work, devising treatment plans, and performing intrauterine inseminations (IUIs), NewsChannel 5 Investigates determined there was no proof “Dr. Dyer,” as patients called him, was authorized to practice medicine in the United States. Dyer claimed to have graduated from a medical school in England in 2008, but his degrees “are not recognized or accepted for licensure in either Britain or many states in the U.S., including apparently Tennessee,” reported NewsChannel 5. The Nashville-based outlet also confirmed Dyer was not licensed by the state medical board.
This bombshell has left countless CRH patients devastated. Several who have shared their testimonials with Rescripted feel “betrayed” and “heartbroken” that their sensitive medical cases had been handled all along by an unlicensed practitioner.
While these patients are not to blame, this incident serves as a reminder that it's critical to do your due diligence when researching fertility clinics.
But what should you even look for in a legitimate fertility clinic — and the specialists who provide their care? Rescripted spoke with two fertility experts for advice on how prospective patients can ensure they’re being treated by a licensed professional, and how they can spot potentially problematic practitioners.
Tips for choosing the best fertility clinic
The good news is you can take plenty of action steps before signing on with a practice. “Anyone can look up a physician’s board certifications and their licenses online with the National Board of Physicians,” says Suzie Devine, RN, MSN, and founder and CEO of BINTO.
When doing your research, however, it’s important to remember that reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a relatively new field. “It’s a sub-specialty of OB/GYN that was established in 1972,” explains Jessica Boone MPA, PA-C, infertility PA and CEO of Fortitude Fertility Consulting. Regardless, your fertility specialist should “be OB/GYN certified, ensuring they have strong foundational knowledge in women’s reproductive health,” she says. You can confirm your fertility specialist’s OB/GYN and/or REI board certifications through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) website.
Boone also suggests checking to see if the clinic is accredited by reputable organizations like the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), College of American Pathologists, or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
Finally, “membership in professional organizations like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is another good sign of credibility,” she says.
Questions to ask at your first fertility appointment
Don’t shy away from confirming basic details of your specialist’s training. “Ask your doctor where they completed their fellowship and if you can access their license number,” advises Devine.
Boone recommends asking any prospective fertility specialists the following questions:
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Are you board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology?
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How many years have you been practicing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility?
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What kind of additional training or fellowship have you completed in reproductive endocrinology?
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How do you stay updated on the latest advancements and research in reproductive endocrinology?
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Can you provide your clinic’s success rates for different age groups and types of treatments?
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Is your laboratory accredited by organizations like CAP or CLIA?
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What are the complication rates for the procedures you perform?
Fertility clinic red flags to look out for
“Always trust your gut instinct when choosing a fertility clinic,” says Boone. She points out that if a clinic is unwilling to share success rates, treatment details, or costs upfront, “this is a major red flag.” Other red flags, according to Devine, include if a clinic isn’t doing routine audits and if it doesn’t come up in ASRM or SART searches.
You can also spot red flags during your initial interactions with clinic staff and physicians. Boone recommends exercising caution if you feel pressured into making quick decisions or agreeing to more expensive treatments without adequate explanation. “Proceeding with fertility treatment is a significant decision, and you should never feel rushed into it,” she says.
Boone also advises that patients observe their surroundings — namely, if there are signs of poor management, dirty facilities, and/or outdated technology. Talk to the nurses and other employees: “If the staff seems overworked or unhappy, it could reflect poorly on the clinic’s management.”
Check online review sites and forums for complaints too: “If a clinic has a pattern of poor feedback,” says Boone, “it’s a red flag that something might be wrong.”
Reassuring green flags
“Make sure any physician’s office is audited by the Joint Commission,” says Devine. The Joint Commission is a U.S. nonprofit that accredits healthcare organizations and programs. Other reassuring factors include whether the fertility specialists self-report their clinic data and outcomes to SART and whether they are ASRM members.
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Other green flags that confirm you’re working with a legit fertility clinic and specialists:
Comprehensive support: A holistic approach to patient care, which can include counseling, support groups, and educational resources, is an excellent sign, says Boone. “This indicates a positive management style that values the emotional well-being of its patients as much as their physical health.”
Open and clear communication: “Clinics that provide this level of transparency respect their patients' right to make informed decisions about their care,” says Boone. “This also includes a willingness to answer questions and provide detailed explanations without hesitation.”
Personalized treatment plans: “This is a sign that each patient's unique needs and circumstances are considered in the creation of their treatment strategy,” says Boone.
Warm and welcoming environment: “Positive interactions with staff who are empathetic, patient, and helpful contribute to a supportive atmosphere that can ease the stress of fertility treatments,” observes Boone. “If you leave your initial appointment feeling better about your infertility journey than when you arrived, that is a good sign.”
Taking control of your fertility treatments
What happened in Nashville with the Center for Reproductive Health was a tragedy. Period. The best way to prevent a recurrence of these incidents, however, is by arming yourself with as much information as possible so you are an active participant in your fertility care.
Boone recommends checking your state’s medical board’s website, public record databases, or legal websites like Justia “for any disciplinary actions or complaints against the specialist [you’re researching].” Or, do an online search of the clinic and/or practitioner using keywords like "malpractice," "lawsuit," "sanction," "complaint," or "suspension."
Although we’re fortunate to live in an age of unlimited online information, there’s something to be said for good old-fashioned word-of-mouth and in-person reconnaissance when considering fertility options. “Healthcare providers often have a network of trusted colleagues and can recommend specialists known for their expertise and compassionate care,” says Boone. And asking friends and loved ones for referrals can be just as helpful: “These personal stories can highlight aspects of care that you may not find through online research alone, such as the clinic's supportiveness, communication style, and overall patient experience,” she says.
Also, many fertility clinics offer informational webinars or in-person events to introduce potential patients to their services, philosophies, and treatments. There’s no need to limit yourself to only their website’s elevator pitch and online reviews.
Given the amount of time, energy, and money you’ll likely be investing in your fertility treatments, ensuring the legitimacy of your clinic and providers is a perfectly reasonable request. So prep those questions, and start asking away!
Sarene Leeds holds an M.S. in Professional Writing from NYU, and is a seasoned journalist, having written and reported on subjects ranging from TV and pop culture to health, wellness, and parenting over the course of her career. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Vulture, SheKnows, and numerous other outlets. A staunch mental health advocate, Sarene also hosts the podcast “Emotional Abuse Is Real.” Visit her website here, or follow her on Instagram or Twitter.