Strug, Kalakota, Szczupak, Kuyoro, Dunn and Rivas weigh in on workplace culture, autonomy, long-term stability
As the 2024 class of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellows transition into their first attending roles, their perspectives on choosing the right practice highlight a shift in priorities. While compensation and location remain important, this year’s fellows are placing increasing emphasis on mentorship, workplace culture, and clinical autonomy when making career decisions.
Michael Strug: Growth and Stability
Dr. Michael Strug, who completed his fellowship at Stanford University and recently joined Pacific Fertility Center, underscored the significance of identifying and prioritizing key career factors early. “Consider factors like location, salary/earning potential, mentorship, team environment, opportunities for growth, and long-term stability,” he advised. Strug, who was drawn to a large clinical network, valued the ability to focus on patient care and research without the pressures of business strategy.
Nichelle Kalakota: Balance Between Independence and Support
For many fellows, mentorship and team dynamics play a crucial role in their choice of practice. Dr. Nichelle Kalakota, a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School graduate now practicing at Aspire HFI, sought out a balance between independence and guidance. “As a new attending, I wanted to work in a system where I would have the independence to grow but also the support of more experienced physicians when I found myself in challenging clinical situations,” she explained.
Alexandra Szczupak: Collaborative and Uplifting Work Environment
Similarly, Dr. Alexandra Szczupak from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), now at IVFMD, emphasized the importance of an environment that fosters collaboration. “Everyone in my office is friendly, helpful, and we all work as a team. Coming to work is fun and uplifting,” she shared. Szczupak recommended that future fellows trust their instincts when evaluating opportunities: “Go with your gut; if it feels right to you, then it probably is.”
Olutunmike Kuyoro: Exposure to Different Practice Models
In addition to culture and mentorship, exposure to different practice models has proven to be a valuable factor for new physicians. Dr. Olutunmike Kuyoro, who completed her fellowship at Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell Fertility, appreciated the opportunity to train across multiple clinics before settling into her role at Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. “Being able to spend time at other clinics within the network was a great way to see how things are done in different settings,” she noted. She advised incoming fellows to be strategic in their evaluations: “Figure out what’s most important to you and don’t be afraid to ask if those needs may be met if they aren’t at first glance.”
Timothy Dunn: Leveraging Technology for Patient-Centered Care
Dr. Timothy Dunn, who completed his fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, was drawn to Aspire HFI for its strong team culture and Inception’s emphasis on technology-driven efficiency. “I really enjoyed all of the staff and physicians at the local clinic I would be working at,” he said. “From there, though, I loved Inception’s focus on leveraging technology to help make work more efficient.”
Dunn also appreciated Inception’s commitment to prioritizing patient care above all else. “That sort of attitude and focus showed how much they care about patient care,” he noted. He also found onboarding particularly beneficial, especially the opportunity to meet corporate leadership and gain insight into the different facets of the company that contribute to patient care.
Rene Rivas: Evaluating Long-Term Infrastructure and Resources
For some, long-term stability and available resources are deciding factors. Dr. Rene Rivas, now practicing at Aspire Dallas after completing her fellowship at UCSD, encouraged fellows to assess not only clinical dynamics but also the broader infrastructure that supports physicians. “Think about where you want to live long-term. Consider office setup and resources like marketing, HR, financial counselors, and third-party options,” she advised.
Investing in the Future with The Prelude Network
Across the board, mentorship, clinical autonomy, and access to resources emerged as top considerations for 2024 REI fellows when selecting their first practice. Six of the 2024 REI fellows chose practices within The Prelude Network. By shaping environments where new physicians can thrive through mentorship, structured onboarding, exposure to different clinical settings, and access to cutting-edge fertility technologies, Prelude-affiliated practices continue to attract top talent.