The people who help our patients navigate their fertility journey are the heart and soul of The Fertility Institute of New Orleans’ operations at our three locations. Our caring and skillful clinical and administrative staff members make the experiences of our patients the best they can be. And their work enables our doctors to provide the most advanced, expert care for our patients.
We are proud of the special designation we have received from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) as a Nursing Center of Excellence. FINO earned this designation because more than 50% of our registered nurses have experience in reproductive endocrinology and have completed the ASRM Nurse Certificate Course in REI (reproductive endocrinology and infertility). These nurses have RNC (registered nurse certified) after their names.
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Louisiana’s first fertility clinic – 19,000 pregnancies & counting
New Orleans (Metairie) fertility clinic staff
Clinical staff
Wendi S. Dalferes, RNC (nurse manager)
Wendi is our nurse manager for our three clinic locations. She has been a nurse for 25 years, starting her nursing career as a pediatric nurse. She has been at The Fertility Institute since 1998 and is an ASRM REI certified registered nurse (RN).
Wendi has helped with our support group and the embryo donation program. She loves working with her patients to make their infertility journey as smooth as possible. Wendi loves her job and loves helping the patient through the ups and downs of fertility treatment. As a mom of two boys, she enjoys family time, fishing and hiking.
Ashley Alleman, RNC (IVF coordinator)
Ashley graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross college in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She joined The Fertility Institute in 2009 and is certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
After her own journey through IVF, she was blessed with two children. She is a believer in everything happening for a reason and feels sure her path included fertility treatment so she could put herself in her patients’ shoes! She is happy to answer any questions her patients may have.
Hollie Dugas, RDMS (ultrasound supervisor)
Hollie graduated from the diagnostic medical sonography program at Delgado Community College in 2002. She joined The Fertility Institute in 2005.
As a former fertility patient herself, Hollie is able to relate to the patients she cares for. She loves working with each one and helping them through their fertility journey.
Our New Orleans clinical staff also includes:
- Eve L., RNC
- Alyssa M., RN
- Darlene S. (medical assist/clerical)
- Hollie D., RDMS (ultrasound supervisor)
- Beth H., RT, RDMS (ultrasound tech)
- Catrina B., LPN
- Paige D., RN
- Paige H., RN
- Kimberly R., RN
Clinical laboratory staff (chemistry & andrology)
Ron Clisham, M.D., HCLD/TS (ABB) (clinical lab director)
Dr. Clisham serves as the clinical laboratory director for the three clinical laboratories within the Fertility Institute located in Baton Rouge, Mandeville and Metairie, Louisiana. Dr. Clisham received his clinical laboratory training at Louisiana State University and Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge. He received his andrology training during his andrology post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Clisham is board certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) as a High Complexity Lab Director (HCLD) and Technical Supervisor (TS) in Andrology.
Dr. Clisham has been distinguished on several occasions as one of “New Orleans Top Doctors” and has also received the “Top Reproductive Endocrinologist” in the United States designation by U.S. News & World Report.
Read his full bio.
IVF lab staff
Shunping Wang, Ph.D., HCLD (IVF lab director)
Our New Orleans IVF lab staff also includes:
- Dena S., RNC (Surgery Center nurse coordinator)
- Jennifer C., B.S., T.S., (ABB) (embryologist)
- Adele P., M.T. (ASCP) (embryologist)
- Beanie W., M.S., T.S. (ABB) (embryologist)
Our New Orleans andrology lab staff also includes:
- Carmen B, MT (ASCP) (lab technician)
- Jason M., MT (ASCP) (lab supervisor & technician)
Administrative staff
Susie White (administrator)
Susie White attended Florida State University and worked for a dermatologist before joining The Fertility Institute in 1976. 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.
Our New Orleans administrative staff also includes:
- Judy C. (clerical)
- Amber L. (clerical, insurance/financial coordinator)
- Janel S. (clerical)
Mandeville fertility clinic staff
Clinical staff
Lisa Lofton, RNC (IVF coordinator)
Lisa has been working as an RN since 1991 and at The Fertility Institute of New Orleans since 1993. Twenty-five of those years she has served in the capacity of an IVF coordinator, and recently became certified in reproductive endocrinology & infertility. She really enjoys her job, working on a one-to-one basis with patients and helping to make their dreams of becoming parents a reality. In her spare time, she loves camping and spending time with her family.
Wendi S. Dalferes, RNC (nurse manager)
See Wendi’s bio above.
Hollie Dugas, RDMS (ultrasound supervisor)
See Hollie’s bio above.
Our Mandeville clinical staff also includes:
- Gaylyn A., RNC
- Monique C., RN
- Zoila L., RN (donor embryo program coordinator)
-
Lexie W., RDMS (ultrasound tech)
Clinical laboratory staff
Ron Clisham, M.D., HCLD (clinical lab director)
See Dr. Clisham’s bio above.
Administrative staff
Susie White (administrator)
See Susie’s bio above.
Our Mandeville administrative staff also includes:
- Kim M. (new patient coordinator)
- Diane N. (clerical, financial coordinator)
- Charlotte S. (clerical)
- Sandi S. (insurance/financial coordinator)
Baton Rouge fertility clinic staff
Clinical staff
Wendi S. Dalferes, RNC (nurse manager)
See Wendi’s bio above.
Hollie Dugas, RDMS (ultrasound supervisor)
See Hollie’s bio above.
Our Baton Rouge administrative staff also includes:
- Abby C., RDMS (ultrasound tech)
Clinical laboratory staff
Ron Clisham, M.D., HCLD (clinical lab director)
See Dr. Clisham’s bio above.
Our Baton Rouge clinical lab staff also includes:
- Lisa S., MLS, CM (ASCP) (lab technician)
IVF lab staff
Michael A. Stout, Ph.D., HCLD/ELD/CC (ABB) (IVF lab director)
Dr. Michael Stout serves as laboratory director for The Fertility Institute of New Orleans, Baton Rouge. He is board certified as a High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD), Embryology Laboratory Director (ELD), Clinical Consultant (CC) and Technical Supervisor (TS) by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB).
A native of Louisiana, Dr. Stout attended Louisiana State University (LSU) earning his M.S. and Ph.D. specializing in reproductive physiology/biology. While at LSU, he was honored to study under esteemed professors and was involved in research at the LSU Reproductive Biology Center, LSU Embryo Biotechnology Center and Genex.
Upon graduating from LSU, Dr. Stout joined the staff at Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) in Rockville, Maryland. SGF provided him with a world class group of laboratory directors, supervisors, scientists and senior embryologists to work with and learn from their experience and expertise. Following his time at SGF, Dr. Stout returned to Louisiana and joined The Fertility Institute of New Orleans. Serving as laboratory director, he is committed to excellence and dedicated to providing all embryos the best care and opportunity for success.
Dr. Stout enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons, helping others and working with professionals committed to excellence.
Our Baton Rouge IVF lab staff also includes:
- Mary K. (lab tech/clerical)
Administrative staff
Susie White (administrator)
See Susie’s bio above.
Our Baton Rouge administrative staff also includes:
- Becky F. (clerical)