Physician Credentials & Certifications

Board Certification makes a difference in care and outcomes

Fertility care is a cutting edge medical field.  Probably THE most important step patients can take to assure a good outcome is to seek care from a Fellowship-Trained, and Board Eligible/Certified infertility specialist.  As you read below, you will understand how this matters.

Even today with so much online information, it is surprising that patients continue to receive referral authorizations from their ObGyn doctor to a non-credentialed “specialist”. A patient facing infertility may not know to ask her doctor is he/she is “certified in REI” (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility).  This error can delay access to the most advanced care, and time wasted reduces the chances of successful pregnancy.  NewLIFE patients understand and often share their experiences that illustrate the benefits of proper physician training and certification, Board Certification.

The term “Board Certification” may seem vague to many patients and to the public. Yet, this title conveys an important distinction. The nationally recognized specialty for fertility is Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. These physicians are uniquely trained to provide advanced reproductive care and there are only ~700 in the United States. REI Board Certification is issued by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (www.ABOG.org) and is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (www.ABMS.org).

Fellowship Training, Board Eligibility, and Board Certification

A Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist (“REI”) has completed extensive training beginning with four years of ObGyn residency training, followed by three years of REI fellowship training. Completion of training allows a doctor to be “eligible” or “Board Eligible”.  But to become “certified” the physician must take and successfully pass written and oral examinations in BOTH ObGyn and REI. This “testing” is the ONLY way a physician can prove that he/she gained adequate knowledge from the highly technical and advanced education. Patients should not settle for care offered by a physician who is untrained or untested.

Is your physician a Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Specialist?

To find a physician with a REI certification, visit www.SocREI.org. On this website, you can explore the Members Directory for the doctor(s) you wish to research.