Pacific Coast Reproductive Society 2024 Annual Meeting: A Review
RMA of New York physicians and embryologists were in Palm Springs, California last week to attend the 72nd Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Meeting. Every year, this meeting brings together physicians, embryologists, nurses, genetic counselors, and mental health providers to discuss updates and challenges in our field and the theme of this year’s meeting, Innovation and Integration, placed a particular emphasis on the future of reproductive medicine.
The meeting sessions covered a broad range of topics from recurrent implantation failure to environmental chemicals that interfere with reproduction, to on-invasive techniques to evaluate eggs and embryos in the lab. A topic covered by multiple speakers was access to care. Dr. Iffath Hoskins, Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, spoke about the obstacles that are present for persons of color and how to manage and mitigate these burdens to deliver equitable care to these patients. In a separate session, Dr. Molly Moravek, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, outlined best practices to care for transgender and gender diverse patients by developing an inclusive practice setting and minimizing dysphoria during treatment.
Physicians and embryologists from RMA of New York were honored to be invited as speakers for the conference to share their expertise. Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey and Dr. Samantha Estevez spoke about the future of REI physician training and how to best prepare our young physicians during their fellowship. Dr. Andrea Victor led a session for embryologists about understanding embryo mosaicism and the outcomes observed when transferring these embryos. Dr. Phillip Romanski led a session for REI fellows about how to prepare for their upcoming REI Qualifying Exam.
Research was presented throughout the conference from across the country. There is currently a focus in the field to evaluate the use of artificial intelligence to support physicians and embryologists and this topic was one of the common themes in some of the presented abstracts. RMA of New York physicians presented 12 of their ongoing research projects during the oral and poster presentation sessions. Some of the highlights included:
• Dr. Chelsea Canon presented her work evaluated the use of machine learning to optimize ovarian stimulation decisions
• Dr. Lucky Sekhon and Sarah Roger presented their evaluation of changes in hormone levels during ovarian stimulation and the association with embryo quality
• Dr. Samantha Estevez and Dr. Jenna Friedenthal presented their study assessing the association between statin use and IVF outcomes
• Dr. Keri Bergen and Dr. Rachel Danis presented their work evaluating the time interval between breast feeding cessation and embryo transfer outcomes
• Dr. Phillip Romanski and his team presented their study evaluating the reproductive potential of embryos that appear abnormally fertilized at the fertilization check. This presentation was awarded the First Prize Paper Award at the conference.
• Dr. Phillip Romanski and his team presented their study evaluating whether decreasing estradiol levels prior to ovulatory trigger is associated with egg retrieval outcomes. This presentation was awarded the Excellence In-Training Award at the conference.
Our team left PCRS invigorated and excited to share all of these new innovations in reproductive medicine with our patients. RMA of New York is excited to help lead our field into the future and to offer our patients the most advanced treatment options to help build their family.