Meet the Doctors
The Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area is fortunate to have experienced specialists in assisted reproductive technologies. Their pioneering efforts in IVF, reproductive endocrinology, pelvic microsurgery, and operative pelviscopy have helped many couples realize the goal of starting a family.
Donald I. Galen, M.D. - Surgical & Research Director
- Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Undergraduate degree: University of California, Los Angeles, molecular genetics and microbiology
- Medical training: University of Southern California
- OB/GYN residency: University of California Medical Center, San Francisco
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 1983
Dr. Galen was trained at the Univ. of California, San Francisco, and is certified by the American Board of OB/GYN, by the Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy and is a member of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons. He co-founded our IVF program and is widely known for his expertise in reproductive microsurgery, reversal of prior sterilization, and in vitro fertilization. Dr. Galen has authored or co-authored more than 95 publications and is an Associate Clinical Professor of OB/GYN at the Univ. of California, Davis. He is the Surgical and Research Director at RSC, and is active in didactic and hands-on reproductive surgical teaching.
Louis Weckstein, M.D. - IVF and Medical Director
- Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Undergraduate degree: University of Michigan
- Medical training: University of Michigan
- OB/GYN residency: University of California, Irvine
- Postgraduate training in IVF and infertility: University of California, Irvine
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 1990
Dr. Weckstein received his training in infertility at University of California-Irvine in 1988 with one of the most successful IVF teams in the country at that time. After establishing a successful OB/GYN private practice in Southern California, he returned to training that included special emphasis on assisted reproductive technologies. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a member of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Society for Reproductive Surgeons. He has served on the board of directors of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society and was a past California representative to the National Advisory Council of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Weckstein has authored more than 50 publications and abstracts with a focus on IVF and Egg Donation. He serves as a special reviewer for the infertility journal "Fertility and Sterility." He is medical and IVF director at RSC.
Susan P. Willman, M.D. - Medical Director/Orinda, Director of PGD/Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Undergraduate degree: St. Louis University
- Medical training: St. Louis University
- OB/GYN residency: Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas
- Fellowship: UCSF
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 1999
Dr. Willman was one of the first female physicians to open a successful Assisted Reproductive Technology practice in the East Bay in 1992. She continued as a private practitioner in Orinda until 1999 when she merged her practice with RSC. Dr. Willman was trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas in Dallas and is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at UCSF. Dr. Willman is the Director of our PGD program. She sees patients in our Orinda and San Ramon facilities.
Mary Hinckley, M.D. - Reproductive Endocrinologist
- Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area
Undergraduate degree: Stanford University, CA - Medical training: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- OB/GYN residency: Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, CA
- Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility: Stanford University Medical Center
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 2004
Dr. Hinckley is a board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist who completed her training at Stanford University Medical Center. She says her greatest joy is helping patients to realize their dreams in creating a family, but she also enjoys participation in clinical and laboratory studies. She has extensively published articles in peer-reviewed journals on blastocyst transfer, avoiding triplet pregnancies, monozygotic twinning, operative hysteroscopy, correction of uterine anomalies, and biochemical pathways involved in ovulation and fertilization. She serves as a member of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinologists, the Christian Medical and Dental Society and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Her areas of interest include laparoscopic surgery, premature ovarian failure, oocyte freezing, and recurrent pregnancy loss.
Carmelo Sgarlata, M.D. - Reproductive Endocrinologist
- Undergraduate degree: University of Arizona
- Medical training: University of Arizona
- OB/GYN residency: Maricopa County General Hospital - Phoenix, Arizona
- Fellowship: St Louis University
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 2005
Dr. Sgarlata is a board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist who completed his training at St. Louis University. Dr. Sgarlata was one of the first OB/GYN physicians to provide Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility services in the San Jose area. He has been providing successful ART procedures in the Santa Clara Valley since 1986. In 1988 he co-founded the first comprehensive South Bay ART program. He serves as a member of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinologists, the Society of Reproductive Surgeons, and American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He is a founding member and past President of the Bay Area Reproductive Endocrinologist Society. Dr. Sgarlata is based in our San Jose office.
Deborah Wachs, M.D. - Reproductive Endocrinologist
- Undergraduate degree: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Medical training: Georgetown University School of Medicine
- OB/GYN residency: Kaiser Foundation Hospital, San Francisco
- Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility: University of California, San Diego
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 2009
Dr. Wachs is a board certified Obstetrician/ Gynecologist who completed her training at Georgetown University School of Medicine with highest honors. She completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of California, San Diego.
Dr. Wachs is also a Junior Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Wachs participated in several federally funded research studies on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and has published widely on the topic. Her other areas of special interest include diminished ovarian reserve, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preimplantation genetic screening. She sees patients in our San Jose and San Ramon facilities.
Kristen Ivani, Ph.D., HCLD - Laboratory Director
- Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area
- Undergraduate degree: University of California, Davis
- M.S: University of Idaho
- Ph.D.: Colorado State University, (Department of Physiology,Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Group)
- Joined RSC Bay Area: 1989
Dr. Ivani has served as the laboratory director at Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area since 1989. She is a board-certified high-complexity clinical laboratory director in the disciplines of embryology and andrology and an inspector for the College of American Pathologists Reproductive Laboratory Accreditation Program. Dr. Ivani is also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the International Embryo Transfer Society, the American Association of Bioanalysts and several scientific honor societies. Her areas of interest include embryo cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, gamete micromanipulation, patient education, and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
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Learn more about RSC and our experts in a 5-minute video.
