Richard P. Dickey, M.D., Ph.D.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our founder, Dr. Richard Dickey. Dr. Dickey was a pioneer in the field of reproductive medicine, attending one of the first training programs in the United States in reproductive endocrinology and achieving the first successful IVF in the Gulf South States. He received the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in 2014, honoring his compassionate and respectful care of patients’ physical and emotional wellbeing. To say there is a hole in our hearts in an understatement, but we are so thankful to have known and worked with such an amazing leader, educator and doctor.
Retired Founder, Emeritus
Dr. Richard Dickey and Founder of The Fertility Institute, has specialized in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility since 1965 and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of reproductive medicine in the United States. He is board-certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Dickey completed his Ob/Gyn residency at Ohio State University Hospital. After attending one of the first training programs in the United States in reproductive endocrinology, he earned his Ph.D. for his study of the neurohormones of reproduction.
Before founding The Fertility Institute in 1976, Dr. Dickey served in academic medicine as the Director of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology at The Ohio State University School of Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine. He currently serves as Clinical Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology at both LSU and Tulane Medical Schools and as former Chief of the Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at LSU Medical School New Orleans.
In 2014, Dr. Dickey received the distinguished Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. This award honors physicians who best demonstrate the ideals of compassionate and respectful care of a patient’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Dr. Dickey achieved the first successful in vitro fertilization ([VF) in the Gulf South States in 1983 and has introduced many innovations in infertility treatment. Dr. Dickey has more than 120 peer-reviewed published articles in US and International medical journals. His special interest is the treatment of recurrent early pregnancy loss.
He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Fellow at both the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and an active member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He is respected by his colleagues for his expertise in both clinical and academic settings.
Our other fertility practice leaders include:
Christine Couvillon
Executive Director
Christine Couvillon joins The Fertility Institute of New Orleans with over a decade of progressive healthcare leadership. As executive director, Christine has operational responsibility for the Fertility Institute of New Orleans’ three Louisiana practices. Her prior experience includes regional operations manager for Sanova Dermatology and multispecialty clinic operations manager for Ochsner Health System.
Christine holds a master’s degree in business administration from Tulane University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi. Christine is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
A native of New Orleans, Christine is active in the community. She is a longtime member of the Junior League of New Orleans and advises the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter at Tulane University.
Susie White
Administrator
Susie White attended Florida State University and worked for a dermatologist before joining The Fertility Institute in 1976, the year of its founding. She has remained at FINO because of the continuous change the practice undergoes, as well as the integrity, compassion and honest commitment to patient care that is exemplified by all of the physicians.
White is very much a patient advocate and considers our patients’ satisfaction and appreciation for what the entire staff does as the favorite part of her job. She is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Meet our fertility doctors
Our fertility doctors are expert reproductive endocrinologists providing infertility treatments for our patients. Our physician team includes Drs. Peter Y. Lu, Belinda “Sissy” M. Sartor, Heber E. Dunaway, Jr., Warren “Jay” Huber III, Ron Clisham, Joseph A. La Nasa Jr.