Dr. Edward Ramirez, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. is a Board Certified specialist, who has been providing specialized infertility and gynecology care for the past two decades. He has a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a B.A. in Philosophy attained simultaneously from the University of California at Irvine. A graduate of the Stanford University School of Medicine, he did his specialty training in OB-GYN at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, the Pacific referral center for all the U.S. Armed Forces. He received sub-specialty training in advanced reproductive technologies at the world-renowned Pacific Fertility Center with Dr. Geoffrey Sher, one of the first pioneers of IVF in the United States. Dr. Sher had trained under Drs. Edwards and Steptoe, the originators of IVF.

Click here to see Dr. Ramirez speaking about infertility on The Heartbeat of America

“Dr. Ramirez’s cultural background includes a Japanese and Mexican heritage, and he happens to be fluent in both languages. Deeply committed to courteous, responsive and personal care, he is pleased to provide all levels of infertility care including the highest most up-to-date advanced reproductive technology.  His patients benefit from his extraordinary ability to perform advanced operative laparoscopic surgery, hysteroscopies, intra-uterine inseminations and ultimately, in-vitro fertilization, making him unique in the field. He also provides comprehensive gynecological care. He and his laboratory director, Lisa Standing, are constantly learning and instituting new techniques, protocols and medications to give his patients their highest chance of success. Dr. Ramirez belongs to several reputable organizations, including:

• The American Society of Reproductive Medicine
• The Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology
• The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• The American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Fertility specialist Dr. Edward Ramirez has gathered together a dedicated team of professionals at his Monterey clinic to assist in patient treatment. All his colleagues share his enthusiasm and dedication to helping patients achieve their reproductive goals

Lisa Standing, B.S., ELD -- Embryologist, Director of Laboratories

We are very lucky to have Lisa Standing as our laboratory director and embryologist. She is a board certified Embryology Laboratory Director. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona and is currently working towards her Master’s degree through Eastern Virginia Medical School. She has an extensive embryology background with 18 years of experience and has performed literally thousands of successful IVF cycles in her distinguished career.  She has worked with some of the leading experts in the field, including infertility specialist Dr. Geoffrey Sher.

Ms. Standing is the backbone of our embryology and andrology team. She is highly skilled in all aspects of laboratory management, embryo and blastocyst culture and cryopreservation/thaw techniques. Ms. Standing has the technical experience and competency required to successfully perform micromanipulation including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for assisted fertilization and assisted hatching of embryos for enhancement of implantation. When our patients require embryo genetic screening, or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), she performs the embryo biopsy and fixation. Additionally, she has the necessary skills required to process and cryopreserve testicular and epididymal sperm for use in treatment of severe male infertility.

Ms. Standing is a member of many professional organizations including the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the American Board of Bioanalysis. She is also a laboratory inspector for the College of American Pathologists. She has the highest possible standards and careful attention to detail when it comes to laboratory procedures, helping to make our infertility results some of the best in the field

Embryologist Lisa Standing cleans eggs, separating them from the tissue drawn from a patient's ovaries as a byproduct of the retrieval.

Any clinic is only as successful as its support staff. We are indeed fortunate at the Fertility and Gynecology Center to have a devoted team of intelligent individuals who strive to make each patient feel welcome, well cared for and above all, important

Elvira Garcia -- Clinical Patient Administrator, Patient Support Staff

Elvira Garcia has been a member of our clinical staff since 1994. Her superb dedication and expertise with patients has enabled her to become executive assistant for Dr. Ramirez.  Mrs. Garcia is trained in all aspects of patient care in the fields of gynecology, infertility and advanced reproductive technologies. She is a liaison between our infertility patients and the doctor and assists them in all aspects of their preparation and treatment. Her ability to also speak fluent Spanish is an added benefit to our Hispanic patients. She directly participates in the IVF procedure by assisting Dr. Ramirez with all the pre-treatment evaluation procedures, and assists in ultrasounds, egg retrievals and embryo transfers. She is above all one of the most highly complemented staff members by our patients old and new. Almost always, patients refer to Mrs. Garcia’s compassionate care as one of the most positive aspects of their experience with us!

Karen Warfield , B.S. -- Egg Donor and IVF Coordinator

Karen Warfield is a recent addition to our IVF team, coming to us directly from the California Cryobank in Southern California. Mrs. Warfield is a native Californian, raised in Central California, and graduated from Loma Linda University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. She has worked as a microbiologist and has begun work towards a Master’s degree in molecular genetics. During her employment with the California Cryobank she knew the field of reproductive medicine satisfied her desire to integrate her science education with her love of working with people. At the Cryobank she managed all aspects of their branch lab in San Francisco and undertook the monumental task of setting up a new branch in Boston and training all the staff. She has extensive knowledge of the field of cryopreservation and the storage and use of reproductive tissue.

Karen took some time off in 2003 to face another challenge, that of being a full-time mom…a bigger challenge than any professional issue she’d ever tackled! During this time, Karen and her family moved to beautiful Monterey County and in a few years after their son began preschool, she was eager to get back to work. She began with the Fertility and Gynecology Center in February of 2007. She has been passionate about patient education and making each patient’s journey through the process of infertility treatments as comfortable as possible. Each patient meets with Karen and receives thorough introduction and instruction in all the pharmaceuticals and injectables.  A consummate patient advocate, Karen always has time to listen to each patient’s concerns, an important quality in an IVF coordinator.

Melissa Magno -- IVF Financial Counselor, Patient Accounts

Melissa Magno recently joined our team here at The Fertility and Gynecology Center in November 2007. As IVF Financial Counselor, she is tasked with informing our patients regarding the costs involved, helping them choose the most cost-effective options, assisting them in obtaining financing if appropriate and the collection of payments. She has a keen knowledge of gynecologic and infertility subjects and understands our policies and procedures. She also works closely with patients to help them keep their accounts current and billing insurance on their behalf when possible. Melissa was born and raised in Monterey County and brings with her a positive attitude to a position that can be quite demanding at times!

Juana Lemus -- Receptionist, Front Office Assistant

Juana Lemus has recently joined our staff from another busy medical practice. She runs our front office efficiently and with great enthusiasm. Ms. Lemus is bilingual in Spanish and English, in charge of scheduling, reception and insurance information. She will be taking your phone calls, making your appointments and welcoming you as you walk in our doors with her beautiful smile!