Lyndsay Fogarty
Creating a family is a dream for many, but that dream isn’t always easily achieved. In fact, one in eight people struggle with infertility.
The RMA Network has been at the forefront of research, innovation, and patient-focused fertility treatments for almost two decades. Since 1999, Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey has helped thousands of patients from around the U.S. and the world, and the network recently opened its newest office and IVF laboratory in Lake Mary.
Dr. George Patounakis, who began seeing patients at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Florida on Dec. 11, 2017, provides personalized patient care based on a proven method from RMANJ, where success rates are 20 percent higher than the national average among all age groups. This success is based on a three-prong approach: science, success and support.
“We’re truly committed to helping the patient build their family one healthy baby at a time,” Dr. Patounakis says. “We also work with families of all types to help them fulfill their dreams of being a parent.”
How it Works
RMAFL thrives on its patient-focused care philosophy that incorporates the latest scientific research and breakthroughs as well as industry-leading expertise to provide patients with the most positive experiences possible. Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan geared toward providing the best possible chances of starting their own family.
Dr. Patounakis is extremely hands on throughout the process. Every time the patient visits the office, they see him. He performs ultrasounds in the mornings and stops to chat during blood work appointments. Most importantly, he is always accessible should they need anything along the way.
“We’re not just about using standardized protocols,” Dr. Patounakis says. “We will tailor each plan to each patient, and not just the clinical aspect but also in the lab.”
Right there on the premises, technicians can fertilize eggs, culture embryos and perform biopsies to ensure they are genetically normal. Using the genetic results, they are then able to select one single embryo that has the highest chances of leading to the desired result: a live birth.
“Overall, we are both high tech and high touch,” Dr. Patounakis says.
Success is the Priority
Using the model developed by RMANJ, Dr. Patounakis dedicates himself to patient success. While RMAFL consistently pursues the desired outcome of each patient, the facility is willing to share in the risk of failure.
“We feel so strongly about helping people build their families that we have a shared risk program that takes out the financial risk of going through treatment but not getting the desired result of a live birth,” Dr. Patounakis says.
Care Share is a fertility care refund program that provides hopeful parents with reassurance and avoids the financial risk should they require alternative means of family building.
A Circle of Support
Along with his staff, Dr. Patounakis understands that there is not one single answer to every infertility case, so patients can expect an unparalleled personal degree of attention and care throughout their treatment. They can also expect a full range of emotional support.
“One of the deterrents to being successful is that people get emotionally burnt out,” Dr. Patounakis says. “A large part of my job and the job of my staff is to make sure that we provide emotional support to give them the energy to keep moving forward.”
In addition, a private Facebook group called FertiliTalk is a resource that was created by patients for patients. Members include individuals who are struggling with infertility as well as former patients who have gone through fertility treatments successfully. While the RMA Network founded the group, you don’t have to be a patient to join.
Helping Patients Become Parents
Dr. Patounakis and his entire staff are focused on one goal: helping infertility patients become parents in the Greater Orlando area and across Florida. “As a father of two girls, I know how much that means and I’m driven by that purpose every single day,” he says.
If you’re ready to take the next step in starting your own family, call Reproductive Medicine Associates of Florida to schedule a new patient appointment.
400 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 150
Lake Mary, FL 32746
407.804.9670
RMA-FL.com
Meet the Doctor
George Patounakis, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.O.G., is the lead physician of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Florida. After earning his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate in electrical engineering, Dr. Patounakis’ passion shifted to health.
He went on to earn his M.D. from Rutgers — Robert Wood Johnson Medical School before completing his internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Patounakis pursued his fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. While there, his research focused on cholesterol transport in steroidogenic cells using live-cell microscopy, IVF outcome predictors and genetic influences on infertility.
In addition to being the medical director for RMAFL, Dr. Patounakis is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. His research interests include statistical IVF cycle modeling, fertility preservation and diminished ovarian reserve. He also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for Fertility & Sterility and the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics.
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