Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is enhancing its Center for Reproductive Medicine team to address increasing demand. The center, part of the AHN Women’s Institute, is located in the newly established AHN North Fayette Health + Wellness Pavilion.
Three fertility specialists, Terrence D. Lewis, MD, Medical Director; Justin Pilgrim, DO; and Meredith L. Snook, MD, have joined Lori D. Homa, MD, alongside nurse practitioners Sandra Alway and Katherine Brinton. This expansion aims to increase capacity and reduce wait times for patient consultations.
Appointments are available for individuals interested in reproductive options or actively trying to conceive. Patients can schedule appointments by calling 412-847-1166 with both in-person and virtual options available.
"We are absolutely delighted to welcome these distinguished physicians to our team as we strive to help more patients overcome infertility,” said Marcia Klein-Patel, MD, PhD, Chair of AHN Women's Institute. "Each clinician brings to our community an exceptional record of success in helping individuals and couples conceive."
The center offers comprehensive care plans including ovulation-stimulating medications, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and semen analysis.
The pavilion features a new embryology lab equipped with Vitrolife Embryoscopes that allow real-time monitoring of embryo development. Irene Laffoon, senior embryologist at the pavilion stated that this technology provides constant monitoring without disturbing embryos.
Embryologists assess embryos over five days post-insemination before selecting the best ones for transfer. Real-time imaging improves grading accuracy significantly.
According to Pew Research Center findings, about 4 in 10 adults have used or know someone who has used fertility treatments or consultations.
“The general population often associates fertility specialists with caring for couples who are trying to conceive a healthy child," said Dr. Lewis. The center also manages reproductive endocrinopathies and helps cancer patients preserve fertility through cryopreservation procedures.
Over 69% of individuals diagnosed with cancer require fertility preservation services according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Demand for fertility services has grown by more than 30 percent over the past five years due to various factors including rising cancer diagnoses and increasing maternal age.
For further information on AHN or the AHN Women’s Institute visit ahn.org.
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