Leadership Team
Dr. George Grunert
Medical Director at HavenCryo
Brief Work Summary:
The medical director is a physician licensed and currently registered to practice medicine in New York State or in the state in which he or she practices.
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
Dr. George M. Grunert has over 30 years of experience in treating patients with infertility. He is the founder and director of the assisted reproductive technology program at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute, the longest ongoing IVF program in the Southwest.
Education:
- Rice University 1969 (Undergraduate School)
- Baylor College of Medicine 1973 (Medical School)
- Naval Regional Medical Center Oakland 1977 (Internship and Residency)
- Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of California San Francisco 1978 (Fellowship)
Awards:
- William Marsh Rice Scholar
- Michael E. DeBakey Scholar
- National Science Foundation Fellow
- U.S. Navy Humanitarian Service Award
- Texas Super Doctors Award
- Who’s Who in America
- Woman’s Hospital of Texas Chief of Staff
- Woman’s Hospital of Texas Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Education
Board Certifications:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Areas of Expertise + years:
- In Vitro Fertilization [IVF]
- Infertility • Endometriosis
- Fertility Preservation
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- Reproductive Genetics
Why is working at HavenCryo important to you?
Dr. Grunert believes in a personal, individualized practice approach to the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of infertility. He says, “I am passionate about helping patients who struggle with infertility realize their dream of becoming parents. I feel compelled to offer Hope to every patient I encounter.” As a longstanding supporter of the LGBT community, Dr. Grunert looks forward to continuing to help in their efforts to build a family.
Libby Williams
Tissue Bank Director
Brief Work Summary:
Manage the facility, run the daily operations, perform shipping, receiving, quality assurance
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
I was an embryologist with Aspire Fertility San Antonio for years and helped coordinate shipping procedures for that lab, among many other duties. I was with Aspire from 2015-2021.
Education:
- B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science from UT Health Science Center. MBA in Health Services Management from UNT
- BS in 2015, MBA 2021
Board Certifications:
- Certified through AAB in both embryology and andrology. Member of ASRM, AATB, and ISBER
Areas of Expertise + years:
IVF laboratory expertise in cryopreservation techniques, safety, and quality control
Why is working at HavenCryo important to you?
As a former IVF patient, it’s important to provide peace of mind and reassurance to patients through our superior process and customer service. I know the stress and effort that goes into IVF first hand, so it is very rewarding and humbling to be able to serve other families.
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Michelle Catenacci
Member of the Medical Advisory Board
Brief Work Summary:
Reproductive tissue banks shall have a medical advisory committee, composed of at least five members with experience and expertise in the fields of human fertility, infectious disease, clinical pathology or related fields, who shall be responsible for monitoring the medical efficacy of the reproductive tissue bank and reviewing operating policies and procedures.
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
Dr. Michelle Catenacci has had extensive training in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques with experience in operative hysteroscopy for treatment of fibroids, uterine septums, and uterine adhesions. She also has extensive experience in up-to-date treatments for ART. She joined Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago in 2012 and currently holds the position of Medical Director.
Education:
- Wayne State University (Undergraduate Education)
- Wayne State University Medical School (Medical Education)
- MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Residency Training)
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Infertility Fellowship Training)
Board Certifications:
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Areas of Expertise:
- In Vitro Fertilization [IVF]
- Fertility
- Unexplained Infertility
- Traditional laparoscopy and robotic surgery
Dr. James Grifo
Member of the Medical Advisory Board
Brief Work Summary:
Reproductive tissue banks shall have a medical advisory committee, composed of at least five members with experience and expertise in the fields of human fertility, infectious disease, clinical pathology or related fields, who shall be responsible for monitoring the medical efficacy of the reproductive tissue bank and reviewing operating policies and procedures.
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
Dr. James Grifo pioneered techniques called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), which examine specific genes and chromosomal number in early embryo development. He performed the first embryo biopsy that led to a live birth in the United States in 1992. He is also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) since 1989. He also joined The Prelude Network in 2018 as the company’s Chief Medical Officer.
Education:
- Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology, 1990
- Residency, Cornell Medical Center, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1988
- MD from Case Western Reserve Univ, 1984
- PhD from Case Western Reserve Univ, 1982
Awards:
- Author of multiple studies published in Fertility & Sterility
- Featured extensively in top-tier national media, including Vogue, The New York Times, TODAY Show, CNN, MSNBC, The New Yorker, Scientific American, and Wired, among others
- President’s Award from RESOLVE
- SART prize for research
- Member of Forbes Health Advisory Board
Board Certifications:
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Areas of Expertise:
- In Vitro Fertilization [IVF]
- Fertility Preservation
- Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS)
Dr. Isabelle Ryan
Member of the Medical Advisory Board
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
Dr. Ryan trained at UCSF and was then a member of the UCSF REI Faculty. She joined the physician staff of fertility specialists at Pacific Fertility Center in 1999. Dr. Ryan is a founder of the PFC Egg Bank, the first independent frozen egg bank in Northern California, which provides premier and cutting-edge services. She is the Medical Director of the PFC Third-Party Parenting program and of the PFC Egg Bank.
Education:
- University of California Davis School of Medicine (MEDICAL SCHOOL)
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center (RESIDENCY)
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center (INTERNSHIP)
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center (FELLOWSHIP)
Awards:
- Berlex Scholar’s Award
- “Top Doctor” in the national survey Consumers’ Research Council of America’s Guide to America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Board Certifications:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
Areas of Expertise + years:
- In Vitro Fertilization [IVF]
- Fertility Preservation
- Donor Egg/ Oocyte Cryopreservation
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing
- Endometriosis
Dr. Andrew Toledo
Member of the Medical Advisory Board
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
In 1985, Andrew A. Toledo, M.D. joined the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University in Atlanta and was Co-director of the Reproductive Endocrinology Section at the Emory Clinic until he left to join Reproductive Biology Associates. He became a member of the Reproductive Biology Associates (RBA) team in 1990 and is the current CEO.
Education:
- University of South Florida 1979 (Medical School)
- University of Louisville 1983 (Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology)
- University of Louisville 1985 (Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility)
Awards:
- “Atlanta’s Top Docs” in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2013, 2014 and 2015
- “Top Doctors in America” in 2002, 2003 and 2015
- “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists” by the Consumer Research Council of America in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2015.
- Awarded RESOLVE’s 2009 Hope Award for Advocacy
Board Certifications:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
Areas of Expertise + years:
- Over 30 years of experience
- In Vitro Fertilization [IVF]
- Fertility
- Fertility Preservation
Dr. Daniel B. Williams
Member of the Medical Advisory Board
Brief Work Summary:
Reproductive tissue banks shall have a medical advisory committee, composed of at least five members with experience and expertise in the fields of human fertility, infectious disease, clinical pathology or related fields, who shall be responsible for monitoring the medical efficacy of the reproductive tissue bank and reviewing operating policies and procedures.
Former work experience that is relevant to the current position:
Dr. Williams joined the faculty at Washington University School of Medicine as an associate professor and the medical director of the IVF program. He then served as a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the medical director for the Center for Reproductive Health at The University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. In 2009, Dr. Williams joined Aspire Houston Fertility Institute where he also serves as the Director of the Egg Donor Program. He is also the recipient of numerous teaching awards and has been repeatedly named one of the Best Doctors in America as well as one of Houston Top Docs. In addition, he is a Clinical Professor of Ob/Gyn at the University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine.
Education:
- The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (Undergraduate Degree)
- The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (Medical Degree)
- King-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles (Residency Training)
- UCLA/Cedars Sinai Medical Centers (Fellowship)
Awards:
- Member, Advisory Board, Midwest Reproductive Symposium International
- Best Doctors in America
- CREOG/APGO National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education
- Houston Top Docs
Board Certifications:
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Areas of Expertise:
- In Vitro Fertilization [IVF]
- Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS)
- Third Party Reproduction
- Oocyte Freezing