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Hugh Taylor MD, President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, today announced the resignation of CEO Ricardo Azziz MD, MBA, MPH effective June 30, 2021. Vickie Gamble, ASRM’s long-term Chief Operating Officer, will serve as interim CEO through the remainder of 2021. “We want to thank Dr. Azziz for his skillful leadership during what was certainly one of the most challenging times in our 77-year history”, said Dr. Taylor. “When searching for a CEO in 2019, we did not have “…ability to manage during a global pandemic” in the job description, but that is exactly what Dr. Azziz has had to do.” Dr. Azziz, remarked, “It has been my great honor leading the ASRM, an organization for which I have great respect, during these trying times, all with the goal of making the ASRM a stronger, more sustainable, and more relevant organization.”
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) announced today that embryo transfer simulation produced a 125% increase in physician self-confidence. As part of a two-day education course, fellows practiced more than 20 simulated embryo transfers, better equipping them to be confident and competent in the clinical environment. This finding is published in ASRM’s journal, Fertility and Sterility.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has named Kurt Barnhart, MD, MSCE as Editor in Chief of its flagship journal Fertility and Sterility. Barnhardt will begin his tenure July 1, 2021.
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The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, the United States’ primary organization of professionals dedicated to the practice of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is releasing its latest national and clinic-specific ART data, today. The preliminary national data set for 2019 shows 77,256 babies born resulting from 302,998 cycles performed during that year, an increase from the previous year’s number of 74,590 babies born from 279,288 cycles. 361 SART member clinics contributed to the report.
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In the current update, the ASRM Coronavirus/COVID-19 Task Force (the “Task Force”) continues to support both vaccination with currently available vaccines for all individuals, including women who are either pregnant or contemplating conception (see Update #11), and continued strict adherence to its earlier recommended mitigation strategies for disease prevention, including use of social distancing, and rigorous attention to hand washing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially masking, and quarantines when appropriate (see Update #3). In addition, the Task Force is issuing this update to assist reproductive care specialists in counseling their patients and their communities regarding vaccination, including vaccination in pregnancy, and to provide considerations for relaxing restrictions.
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Sigal Klipstein, MD, Chair of the ASRM Ethics Committee, co-authored an article appearing in the most recent issue of Science. The article entitled, “Human embryo research beyond the primitive streak,” explores the question of whether it is time to rethink the historical prohibition, now 40 years old, of culturing human embryos for research beyond 14 days consecutive or growth, or beyond the development of the primitive streak.
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Even though the decreasing trend in infection rates is encouraging, and 52 million in the U.S. have been vaccinated, CDC guidelines should be strictly followed, and COVID-19 prevention should remain a top priority to reduce the likelihood of the emergence of additional, new SARS-CoV-2 variants. While COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing illness and hospitalization, their effectiveness for prevention of transmission remains unclear. Care centers should continue to maintain usage of masks and double masking, hand washing, avoidance of crowds, and social distancing.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have had questions about the impact of the virus on their health. Now, as the rollout of the COVID vaccines progresses, patients similarly have questions about whether the vaccine is right for their individual health needs.
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We affirm our continued support of the recommendations of the ASRM COVID Task Force as reported in Update Number 12, dated January 18, 2021: “COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for women who are contemplating pregnancy or who are pregnant in order to minimize risks to themselves and their pregnancy.”
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Just hours after taking the oath of office, President Biden took a number of actions – through a combination of executive orders, memoranda, directives, and letters – to address priorities which include several with import for the healthcare community.
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The Task Force is issuing this update to assist reproductive care specialists in counseling their patients and their communities regarding the long-term effects of having suffered COVID-19, the new variants of SARS-Cov-2 being reported, truths about use of testing and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, when to consider performing surgery after a COVID-19 diagnosis, and information regarding vaccine hesitancy and pandemic-related stress.
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“We are disappointed and dismayed by the Supreme Court decision upholding the Trump Administration’s arbitrary and non-scientific decision to continue to force patients to travel during a dangerous pandemic in order to obtain the medication they need."
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With news of the FDA emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine, ASRM today released a new statement from its COVID-19 Task Force, and joined with other OB/GYN organizations on a statement.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) newly launched Center for Policy and Leadership has released a groundbreaking new report, targeted to federal policymakers, entitled, Reproductive Health Care: A National Priority that Cannot Wait.
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On December 2, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules as part of the HHS Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care, which examined federal regulations with potential to impede healthcare providers' efforts to advance the transition to value-based care and improve the coordination of patient care across settings in federal healthcare programs and the commercial sector.
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The current update by the ASRM Coronavirus/COVID-19 Task Force (the “Task Force”) continues to affirm the recommendations presented in Update No. 3 (American Society for Reproductive Medicine Patient Management and Clinical Recommendations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Update No. 3, April 24, 2020), which were further elaborated upon in Updates No. 4-9. Collectively, these updates recommend the judicious resumption of the delivery of reproductive care, with the use of careful preventive measures, such as the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing measures. Given the continued presence, and more recently the marked upsurge, of COVID-19 cases in much of the United States (U.S.), these strategies continue to be critical in managing this ongoing pandemic.
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The American Medical Association (AMA) will present its 2020 Distinguished Service Award to ASRM member, Camran Nezhat, MD, of Palo Alto, CA.
Dr. Nezhat has been called the father of modern-day surgery for inventing and pioneering video surgery, which to this day, continues to replace old techniques of open surgery.
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Presenting their results at this year’s ASRM Scientific Congress, researchers using data analyzed from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology's (SART) Patient Predictor developed prediction models that estimate the cumulative probability of live birth over three complete cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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ASRM is proud to acknowledge the Cade Foundation’s recognition of ASRM members, Dr. Michael Thomas, ASRM Vice President; Dr. Arthur Sagoskin, ; and Dr. Louis Weckstein, as Family Building Champions. ASRM also is pleased to note RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association’s recognition of ASRM member, Dr. Serena Chen, for her outstanding advocacy work for the infertility community.
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The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has released a final rule implementing provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures) related to electronic health information blocking, interoperability and the ONC Health IT Certification Program (Cert Program). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also issued a final rule on patient access to data and interoperability.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine resoundingly rejects the baseless accusations made by political candidates that physicians and others are exaggerating the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
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Washington, DC- The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is proud to announce Hugh Taylor, MD, of Yale University as our new president. Dr. Taylor is the Anita O'Keeffe Young Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is also Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology at Yale University. His clinical interests include IVF, infertility, endometriosis, implantation, menopause, uterine anomalies and Asherman's syndrome.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is proud to announce the election of new leadership to the ASRM Board of Directors, including new Directors for affiliated societies.
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Washington, DC- Research presented at this year’s Scientific Congress shows that one in four gestational carrier pregnancies in a cohort of 194 did not meet ASRM guidelines. Guidelines are less likely to be followed when a gestational carrier is found through means other than an agency. In this study, 76% of carrier pregnancies were mediated through a surrogacy agency. Non-adherence to these guidelines was associated with an almost 5-fold increase in odds of spontaneous abortion. The most common violated ASRM criteria included women with BMI >35 and age (mostly >45 or <21).
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Washington, DC- A study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Society Scientific Congress today delved into the effects of race on live birth rates for patients of frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles, continuing existing research on racial disparities in invitro-fertilization.
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Washington, D.C.- Research presented at the 2020 Scientific Congress indicates that out of a total of 145 patients planning frozen embryo transfer (FET) and 133 patients planning a fresh cycle, 62% of all patients desired to initiate treatment once COVID-19 restrictions had been eased in May 2020. Among the fresh cycles, there was a trend towards older-age women being more prevalent among those who moved forward. FET cycles using a gestational carrier were more likely to continue delaying treatment.
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Washington, D.C.- Researchers from Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor have found that video visits can be used effectively with established patients to manage a broad spectrum of diagnoses that contribute to male infertility. In this study, 70 video visits between August 21, 2017 to March 17, 2020 were completed by 56 men at the median age of 36 (age 32 - 40); 78.5% were white, and most patients were referred by their primary care provider or their partner’s reproductive endocrinologist (47% and 33%, respectively). Most men were diagnosed with endocrinologic (29%) or anatomic (21%) contributors to infertility (see Table1A in abstract for full diagnostic categories).
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Washington, DC- Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been shown to be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which has been linked to depression and anxiety within the general population. That finding comes from researchers from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, who gave women diagnosed with PCOS and being treated at their clinic from 2017 to 2020 a questionnaire to assess for OSA, depression, and anxiety symptoms.
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Washington, DC- A study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Society Scientific Congress today examined trends, characteristics and outcomes in oocyte cryopreservation or egg freezing between self-reported race/ethnic groups.
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Washington, DC- A study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress today delved into the relationship between ethnicity and comorbidity patterns in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
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Washington, D.C.- Currently, 17 of 50 US states have infertility care insurance mandates, which are assumed to increase accessibility of those services, but according to research presented at the 2020 Scientific Congress, employers determine the applicability of state mandates.
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Washington, D.C.- It is known that antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels in women who use contraceptives are lower. However, a study presented at the 2020 Scientific Congress shows that the duration of contraceptive use is not associated with any additional variation in AMH levels in women during their reproductive years.
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Washington, D.C.- Researchers presenting at this year’s 2020 Scientific Congress have found that socioeconomic status does not negatively impact long-term outcomes in infertile couples seeking to expand their families. In this long-term follow-up of the randomized controlled trial, a survey was administered to couples who were enrolled in the Fast Track and Treatment Trial (FASTT), which investigated time to conception of conventional treatment for unexplained infertility versus a fast track approach in women ages 21-39 years.
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Washington, D.C.- To better understand the impact the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession may be having on demand for fertility services in the US, researchers from Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital and Extend Fertility in New York City recently studied the 2008 economic crisis’s effect on such services. The findings revealed a direct connection between unemployment and fertility care access.
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Washington, D.C.- A population-based study of 9.1 million births from 2004 to 2014 found that women with the hormonal disorder polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at an increased risk of experiencing delivery-related complications, including cesarean delivery, infections, and giving birth to a child with congenital anomalies.
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The current update by the ASRM Coronavirus/COVID-19 Task Force (the “Task Force”) continues to affirm the recommendations presented in Update No. 3 (American Society for Reproductive Medicine Patient Management and Clinical Recommendations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Update No. 3, April 24, 2020), which were further elaborated upon in Update Nos. 4-8. Collectively, these updates recommend the judicious resumption of the delivery of reproductive care, with the use of careful preventive measures, such as the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing measures. Given the continued presence of COVID-19 cases in much of the United States (U.S.), these strategies continue to be critical in managing this ongoing pandemic.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced plans to expand its Research Project Review Panel (RP2) reviewer pool with both English and French speaking reviewers, and is seeking experienced Sexual and Reproductive Health researchers at a senior level, at a minimum with a PhD, and a matching publication list.
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On September 29th and October 1st, the FDA will be hosting a virtual workshop for the Reproductive Tissue Industry.
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To continue leading the way in promoting global education, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) announced today it will offer steep discounts on registration fees for its annual Scientific Congress to individuals from low and low-middle income countries (per the World Bank).
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is proud to announce the release of F&S Science - with outstanding articles presenting original, cutting-edge findings in human reproduction from across the globe.
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Dr. Chevis Shannon has been appointed Chief Education and Science Officer (CESO) of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Shannon joined ASRM in August 2020 and will be based out of the administrative office in Birmingham, AL
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine today announced that its Practice Committee has released a new report entitled “Clinical management of mosaic results from preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) of blastocysts: a committee opinion” The report appears in the August issue of ASRM’s flagship journal Fertility and Sterility.
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In the current revision, updated information is provided concerning: testing, treatments, and vaccines for COVID-19; managing mental health and COVID-19; counseling of patients seeking care during the pandemic; the risk of aerosolization; and updated recommendations for PPE use in the reproductive care setting.
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The Task Force will provide recommendations to the ASRM President, Board of Directors (BOD), and CEO regarding enhancing opportunities to increase and support diversity and equity, and inclusion of underrepresented minority populations, in the profession and leadership of reproductive medicine; and reducing, with the goal of eventually eliminating, health disparities in access and outcomes to reproductive care.
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Washington, DC- Today The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, concerned about growing attacks on public health agencies from politicians, released an open letter urging that those agencies and the experts who work for them be listened to rather than attacked. Politicians seem determined to punish these experts for their knowledge and the data they collect instead of following their sound advice. The text of the letter is below.
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As the voice of America’s reproductive medical professionals, we are disheartened by today’s decision from the Supreme Court, which allows a woman’s employer to single out contraception as a healthcare benefit they do not offer. The original terms of the Affordable Care Act allowed for reasonable accommodation of religious views. However, the Trump administration, and now the Supreme Court, have chosen to allow any employer for any reason to claim a religious exemption to contraceptive coverage.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is proud to announce the first article release from its open access journal. F&S Reports publishes peer-reviewed original scientific articles in clinical and translational research in areas relevant to reproductive medicine.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) applauds today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold its binding ruling from Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt. In the ruling, the Supreme Court said the law mandating that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, was unconstitutional. The decision appropriately recognizes the impact of access to abortion and is a victory for reproductive justice and gender equality in America.
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Before the nation can safely return to business as usual, it is essential to develop and deliver effective and reliable COVID-19 testing and then implement it widely so that it is available to everyone. NIH is rising to this challenge through its Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Initiative — a national call for scientists and organizations to advance their innovative ideas for new COVID-19 testing approaches and strategies.
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Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people in Texas were free. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had formally freed them almost two and a half years earlier, Texas was the most remote of the slave states, so enforcement of the proclamation was slow to take effect. In light of recent tragic events and the need to recognize the culture of systemic racism in our nation, ASRM offices will be closed tomorrow.
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The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), is pleased to announce the release of its Fertility Experts Podcast Series. For those with questions about fertility and infertility, each 25-minute episode offers the insights of a variety of accomplished fertility specialists. They address a range of topics related to fertility testing, treatment, and the challenges of building a family.
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The world has been suffering a pandemic of a proportion not previously experienced in this century, with higher infectivity and mortality than previous epidemics. While acknowledging that infertility is a serious disease that requires treatment in a timely manner, in its recommendations of March 17, 2020 and in the subsequent Updates, No. 1 and No. 2, the ASRM Coronavirus/COVID-19 Task Force (the “Task Force”) recognized the need to delay any but the most urgent of reproductive care cases. This was necessary as the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic, its viral transmission rate, its impact on reproductive well-being and pregnancy, and the ability of health systems to cope were yet unknown, at least in the U.S.
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Today, the president signed into law a bill that revises the Paycheck Protection Program to provide additional flexibility for small business borrowers. The changes are intended to extend the period for use of PPP funds, provide additional flexibility in spending allowances, and make it easier for more borrowers to attain full forgiveness.
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The three major professional societies leading infertility and reproductive medicine today issued a
joint statement on providing infertility care during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Working together, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), and the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) developed the guidance document entitled COVID-19 and Human Reproduction.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo requesting limited but critical exceptions to sweeping travel restrictions that have directly impacted families whose dreams of parenthood hinge on the ability to travel and connect with their surrogates. Currently, nine out of 10 people are living in countries that have closed their borders due to COVID-19.
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RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and ASRM (the American Society for Reproductive Medicine) are partnering to host their annual
Federal Advocacy Day as a virtual event on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. More than 400 advocates from all 50 states will meet virtually with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the physical, emotional, and financial impact of infertility and reproductive care.
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In recent weeks, a number of states have introduced measures (such as Executive Orders) to restrict access to abortion care and have justified said actions on the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. ASRM has joined fellow national leaders and experts in the medical community – including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Medical Association (AMA) – in opposing such restrictions by joining several amicus briefs.
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Even during this national health crisis, ASRM is committed to highlighting National Infertility Awareness Week (April 19-25) and honoring those with infertility who are struggling to build a family. NIAW became a federally recognized health observance by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2010.
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) announced that to date, it has provided more than $500,000 worth of free education to its members via its airLEARNINGtm program. ASRM has made its certification courses available free of charge to all members during the global COVID-19 shut down. The Society offers certificate courses in andrology, embryology, nursing and mental health.
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Washington, DC – The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a major medical association celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, announced today it was moving its main headquarters from Birmingham, AL to Washington DC. The move comes in reaction to new laws in Alabama restricting access to reproductive medical services.
