Dr. Sissy Sartor | The Fertility Institute of New Orleans | Baton Rouge & Mandeville, LA

Belinda “Sissy” M. Sartor, M.D.

 
 

Why I’m here for you

“Each patient has their own story and special challenges related to their infertility, and I am on that journey both as a guide and a cheerleader. We slay the dragon of infertility ... together!”
 
 

Specialties

  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Fertility Preservation (including egg freezing and oncofertility)
  • Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
  • PCOS

Teaching the REIs of tomorrow

  • Faculty/teacher: Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Louisiana State University, School of Medicine

Fertility training

  • Education: M.D., Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans
  • Residency: OB-GYN, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans
  • Internship: Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
 

About Dr. Belinda “Sissy” M. Sartor

Dr. Belinda “Sissy” M. Sartor chose this field of medicine because she was intrigued by the scientific questions that are part of the backbone of this specialty. She was equally drawn to the intensity and emotional complexities inherent in helping patients achieve their fertility goals. What she loves most is the excitement of beginning a new journey with each patient.

Dr. Sartor has a special interest in fertility preservation and is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group. She also specializes in oncofertility, preserving fertility before cancer treatments.

Other areas of clinical focus include preimplantation genetic testing for single gene defects (PGT-M) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Approach to treatment

Dr. Sartor knows that an educated patient is an empowered patient. She feels it is imperative for the patient to clearly understand the plan of treatment and expected outcome. Working through testing and developing a plan for treatment together, she helps her patients feel less anxious by explaining the “why” and the “what.”

“Going through the options together is much like climbing a ladder toward success.”

She says her patients value her straightforward approach that is both collaborative and honest. Dr. Sartor is an empathic listener and instructor. She wants her patients to make decisions with her, giving them the feeling that together they can truly bring dreams to life.

On a personal note

Dr. Sissy Sartor | The Fertility Institute of New Orleans | Baton Rouge & Mandeville, LA

Dr. Sartor grew up in a small town in the Mississippi Delta and spent her adult years in urban centers, including New Orleans & Washington, D.C.

Dr. Sartor's family photo

She appreciates both the wonderful things a small community bestows and exciting amenities a cultural urban center has to offer.

Dr. Sartor's, fertility specialist, other love - her dogs

Her pastimes have evolved as she has toggled between environments and include tennis, reading, gardening, enjoying the cultural arts and her canines.

Fertility doctor Sartor's other love - her family photo

She has two children and two grandchildren, and happiness revolves around visits with them.

 


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Awards, memberships & contributions to science

Dr. Sartor is a distinguished fertility specialist, having earned several medical awards and helped contribute to our scientific understanding of infertility. Her professional organization memberships, awards, publications and abstracts follow.

Awards

  • Graduated cum laude with Honors in Biology from Newcomb College of Tulane University, 1977
  • Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, selected by the students of Tulane University School of Medicine, 1984, 1985 & 1986
  • Awarded the Hiram K. Batson Award as outstanding senior resident in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tulane University School of Medicine (co-recipient), 1986
  • Voted favorite doctor by NOLA Baby and Family Magazine, in 2011
  • Named as one of America’s Top doctors, earned by physicians highly recommended by their peers and other healthcare professionals, both in New Orleans and nationally, from 2012-2020.
  • Dr. Sartor was featured in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as a Local Leader in Women’s Health, 2013
  • Dr. Sartor was featured on the cover of New Orleans Magazine and named one of the top doctors in 2021.

Current Society Memberships

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
  • Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
  • Louisiana State Medical Society
  • Orleans Parish Medical Society

Contributions to Science

Publications

  1. Scott GR, Marascalco BA, Bennett JW: Parasexual analysis of aflatoxin and anthraquinone production in Aspergillus parasiticus. Bios 1979; L#2:77-89.
  2. Feigan L, Chapnick BM, Hyman AL, King L, Marascalco B, Kadowitz PJ. Peripheral vasodilator effects of Prostaglandins: comparison of 6-Keto-prostaglandin El with Prostacyclin and escape from Prostaglandin E2 in the mesenteric vascular bed. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1980; 214:528-534.
  3. Feigan L, Chapnick B, Marascalco B, Kadowitz P, King L. Comparison of vasodepressor and vasodilator effects of Prostaglandins El, E2, I2, and 6-Keto-El. In: Kovach AG, Hamar J, SZabo L (eds): Adv Physiol Sci, Pergamon Press, 1980, Vol 7, pp99106.
  4. Flanders KC, Marascalco BA, Roberts AB, Sporn MB. Transforming growth factor beta: A multifunctional regulatory peptide with actions in the reproductive system. In: Schomberg DW (ed): Growth Factors in Reproduction New York, Springer-Verlag 1991; pp23-37.
  5. Marascalco BA. The Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Fifteen Years Later. Resolve Newsletter of the Washington Metropolitan Area, 1993, vol 14, no.5 ppl and 16-17.
  6. Sartor BM, Sartor 0, and Flanders KC. Analogous tamoxifen and estrogen effects on transforming growth factor-betas 1 and 2 in the rat uterus. Reproductive Toxicology; 1995; 9:225-231.
  7. Turczynski C, Frilot C, Sartor S, Webster B and Marino A. Electromagnetic fields: A quality control issue for the IVF laboratory. The Embryologists’ Newsletter, Fall 1997, pp2-11.
  8. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Rye PH, Lu PY, Sartor BM. Infertility is a symptom, not a disease. Fertil Steril 2000;74:398.
  9. Dickey RP, Pyrzak R, Taylor SN, Rye PH, Lu PY, Sartor BM. Relationship of follicle numbers and estradiol levels to multiple implantation in 3608 intrauterine insemination cycles. Fertil Steril 2001;75:69-78.
  10. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH, Pyrzak R. Risks of multiple pregnancy – the decision belongs to whom? Fertil Steril 2001;76:425-426.
  11. Dickey RP, Pyrzak R, Taylor SN, Rye PH, Lu PY, Sartor BM. Decision to do IUI or IVF – sperm count. Fertil Steril 2001;76:1086.
  12. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Storment JM, Rye PH, Pelletier WD, Zehnder JL, Matulich EM. Spontaneous reduction of multiple pregnancy: incidence and effect on outcome.Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:77-83.
  13. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH, Pyrzak P. Outcome of multiple cycles of clomiphene citrate-intrauterine insemination: effect of diagnosis, age, sperm quality, and number of preovulatory follicles. Fertil Steril 2002, in press.
  14. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH, Pyrzak R. Effect of diagnosis, age, sperm quality, and number of preovulatory follicles on the outcome of multiple cycles of clomiphene citrate-intrauterine insemination. Fertil Steril 2002, 78:1088-95.
  15. Dickey RP, Taylor, SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Pyrzak R. Clomiphene citrate intrauterine insemination (IUI) before gonadotropin IUI affects the pregnancy rate and the rate of high-order multiple pregnancies. Fertil Steril 2003;81:545.
  16. Dickey RP, Lu PY, Sartor BM. Twins conceived through In-Vitro Fertilization. AJOG 2003 Aug, 189(2):513-8 (Letter).
  17. Dickey RP, Sartor BM, Pyrzak R. What is the most relevant standard of success in assisted reproduction? Hum Reprod 2004;19:783-7.
  18. Dickey RP, Sartor BM. Perinatal Outcome Among Singleton infants Conceived Through Assisted Reproductive Technology in the United States. Amer J Obstet Gynecol 2004;104:865-6. (Letter)
  19. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH, Pyrzak R. Risk factors for high-order multiple pregnancy and multiple birth after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: results of 4,062 intrauterine insemination cycles. Fertil Steril. 2005 March;83(3):671-83.
  20. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH. Is early embryonic crowding responsible for premature delivery and low birth weight of singleton pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology? Amer J Obstet Gynecol 2005;193:589-96. (Letter)
  21. Sartor BM, Dickey RP: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and the Metabolic Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Sciences 2005; 330: 336-42.
  22. Dickey RP, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Dunaway HE, Pyrzak R, Klumpp AM. Hurricane Katrina – Steps taken to protect and later rescue cryopreserved embryos are described. Fertil Steril. 2006;86:732-4.
  23. Dickey RP, Taylor, SN, Sartor BM, Dunaway HE, Pyrzak: New Orleans is ready. Fertil Steril.2008;90:894-5.

Abstracts

  1. Marascalco BA, Bennett JW: Aflatoxin and anthraquinone production by diploids of Aspergillusparasiticus. Third International symposium on the Genetics of Industrial Microorganisms 1978;p24.
  2. Feigen L, Marascalco BA, King L, Chapnick BM, Kadowitz P: Prostaglandin vasodilation: Comparison of PGE2, PGI2, and 6-KetoPGE1. Fed Proceedings 1980; 39:324.
  3. Marascalco BA, Flanders KC, Simon JA, Falk RJ, Roberts AB, Spor
    MB:Immunodetection of transforming growth factor beta in the rat uterus in response to steroids. Society for Gynecologic Investigation 1990; #203, p198.
  4. Marascalco BA, Flanders KC, Simon JA, Roberts AB, Sporn MB: Immunodetection of 3 isoforms of transforming growth factor beta in the rat uterus in response to steroids. Symposium on Growth Factors in Reproduction 1990; #20 p34.
  5. Jakowlew SB, Dillard PJ, Winokur TS, Marascalo BA, Flanders KC, Sporn MB, Roberts AB: Expression of TGF-betas in chondrocytes and myocytes of chicken embryos. Cell Biol 1990; Suppl 14E, p59.
  6. Marascalco BA, Simon JA, Markham SM, et al: Assessment of antiendometrial antibodies in women with endometriosis: Are they present? Society for Gynecologic Investigation, 1993; #209, p287.
  7. Benkendorf JL, Marascalco-Sartor BA, and Tomai T: Genetic screening practices of infertility specialists in the United States: Results of a survey. American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting, 1994.
  8. Grove BD, Kleinpeter S, Sartor B, London S: The expression of gravin, a novel protein in female reproductive tissues. Accepted for poster presentation at the American Society forReproductive Medicine Annual Meeting, 1996.
  9. Sartor S, Webster B, Robbins L, Pitts K, Turczynski C: Crinone for luteal phase support isassociated with lower clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates in an in vitro fertilization (IVF)program. Accepted for poster presentation at the American Society for ReproductiveMedicine Annual Meeting, 1998.
  10. Pyrzak R, Dickey RP, Sartor S, Lu PY, Taylor SN, Rye PH. Relationship between lead follicular size and oocyte maturity in the cohort at the time of hCG administration. Accepted for poster presentation at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Annual Meeting, 1999.
  11. Pyrzak R, Dickey RP, Sartor S, Lu PY, Taylor SN, Rye PH. Multiple pregnancy outcome in IVF-ET can be predicted by size of lead follicle at the time of hCG administration. Accepted for oral presentation at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Annual Meeting, 1999.
  12. Dickey RP, Pyrzak R, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Taylor SN, Rye PH, Storment JM. Comparison of hCG levels following transfer of embryos on the third day and fifth day post IVF. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, San Diego, CA, October 21-26, 2000.
  13. Dickey RP, Pyrzak R, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Taylor SN, Rye PH, Storment JM. Administration of hCG when the rate of rise of E2 slows, results in optimal continuing pregnancy rates in FSH treated IVF cycles. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, San Diego, CA, October 21,26, 2000.
  14. Pyrzak R, Dickey RP, Sartor BM, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Storment JM. Serum values of E2 and P4 adjusted to serum volume may change the evaluation outcome of ovarian response, treatment, and results of IVF patients when compared to the absolute values. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, San Diego, CA, October 21-26, 2000.
  15. Sartor BM, Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Rye PH, Pyrzak R. Oral contraceptives, not GNRH suppression, may be responsible for very low endogenous LH during IVF cycles. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Orlando, FL, 2001.
  16. Pyrzak R, Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PH, Sartor BM. Comparison between GNRH agonist and antagonist on IVF outcome in relation to number of follicles on start day of hyperstimulation. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Orlando, FL, 2001.
  17. Pyrzak R, Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH. Pregnancy outcome and embryo quality depends on the serum progesterone levels on the first day of ovarian stimulation following in vitro fertilization. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Seattle, WA, 2002.
  18. Dickey RP, Pyrzak R, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Taylor SN, Storment JM. Pituitary-ovarian recovery after oral contraceptive use before in vitro fertilization. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Seattle, WA, 2002.
  19. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH, Pyrzak R. The number of cycles of gonadotropin-intrauterine insemination should be tailored to follicular response. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for ReproductiveMedicine. San Antonio, TX, 2003.
  20. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Pyrzak R. Effect on pregnancy rate and high order multiple pregnancy of clomiphene-intrauterine insemination before gonadotropin-intrauterine insemination. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. San Antonio, TX, 2003.
  21. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Rye PH, Pyrzak R. High order multiple pregnancy resulting from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination can be predicted by the number of preovulatory follicles, estradiol levels, and age. Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. San Antonio, TX, 2003.
  22. Dickey RP, Taylor SN, Lu PY, Sartor BM, Dunaway HE. Can the number of antral follicles before the start of gonadotropin stimulation predict the number of preovulation follicles and total oocytes in IVF cycles? Accepted for poster presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Denver, CO, 2010.