A comprehensive fertility preservation team was created in 2016 for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Although the primary purpose of the team is to meet with patients and families to discuss risk for future infertility and when appropriate offer fertility preservation interventions, the team is also involved in research in this field. The Aflac fertility preservation team is part of the Pediatric Initiative Network (PIN) of the Oncofertility Consortium of Northwestern now identified as OPEN. Members of the Aflac fertility team are involved in the PIN’s Best Practices and Research Subcommittees. The Aflac fertility preservation team also supports the hematology and bone marrow transplant teams in their studies which include fertility preservation prior to gonadotoxic BMT preparative regimen. The Aflac Fertility Preservation team tracks reproductive outcomes in hematology, sickle cell and bone marrow failure patients who are treated with bone marrow transplant. We have provided over 650 fertility consults within the past 5 years.
Click the link for more information about our Fertility Preservation Program and research.
Our fertility preservation team:
- Brooke Cherven, PhD, MPH, RN, CPO
- Krista Childress, MD
- Jordan Gilleland-Marchak, PhD, ABPP
- James Klosky, PhD, ABPP
- James Ludemann, RN
- Laurie McKenzie, MD
- Lillian Meacham, MD, Program Medical Director
- Nan Mink, RN
- Megan Pruett, PNP
- Austin Schirmer, MD