David G. Diaz, MD, FACOG

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

David G. Diaz, MD, FACOG is founder and medical director of West Coast Fertility Centers. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology and specializes in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. David Diaz attended Loyola University School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois and the University of Missouri where he completed his residency training. He continued his advanced training in endocrinology and infertility as a clinical fellow at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Diaz also speaks fluent Spanish and services are delivered in a culturally sensitive environment. (We invite you to visit our Spanish Website www.clinicadefertilidad.com.)

Dr. David Diaz received his training with the world's top fertility surgeons and is an expert in assisted reproductive technologies. Dr. David Diaz has expertise in a comprehensive array of medical and surgical treatments of infertility problems, including endometriosis, uterine fibroids, hormonal disorders, ovulation problems, tubal blockage, polycystic ovarian disease, male factor infertility, and other unexplained fertility problems. Dr. David Diaz has developed endoscopic reproductive surgical techniques and has been selected to train gynecologists in the latest surgical advances. He has authored numerous papers and textbook chapters.

Dr. David Diaz opened his first fertility center in Anaheim, CA in 1988 and continues with his commitment to provide innovative fertility services to patients in a caring and personalized manner. More than a decade, later there are two convenient locations available in Southern California designed to provide couples with individualized attention and care. Dr. David Diaz holds hospital privileges with the following prestigious Orange County Hospitals, Fountain Valley Regional Medical Center, Hoag Memorial Hospital, Irvine Medical Center, St. Jude Medical Center, and St. Joseph Hospital. Together with the scientist and professional staff, Dr. David Diaz provides outstanding services that result in high rates of success. 

SCIENTIFIC TEAM

Antoine La, TS, ELD
Embryology Laboratory Director
Certified by the American Association of Bioanalyst

Antoine La is Director of West Coast Fertility Center's Embryology Laboratory. Mr. La is a highly experienced embryologist and scientist. His primary areas of responsibility and specialization include; IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, PESA, Embryo Biopsy, FISH, micromanipulation, ICSI, assisted hatching, embryo freezing and thawing, egg freezing, sperm freezing, preparation of epididymal sperm for ICSI, epididymal sperm freezing and testicular sperm preparation.

As a scientist and researcher, Mr. La has pioneered the development of culture medium allowing for the successful freezing and thawing of human eggs.

Mr. La has primary responsibility to ensure that all state and federal regulations are adhered to. Mr. La holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Irvine 

M. Cristina Rodriguez-Karl, BA
Senior Embryologist

Cristina Rodriguez-Karl is a Senior Embryologist with 15 years of experience with West Coast Fertility Centers. Ms. Karl holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences from California State University, Fullerton. Ms. Karl performs specialized embryology procedures, including the identification and classification of oocytes, evaluation of normal and abnormal fertilization, evaluation of embryo quality, photomicroscopy of gametes/embryos, as well as embryo transfer, freezing and thawing, and PGD. Ms. Karl also is experienced in sperm evaluations and preparation procedures for IUI, percoll gradient separation, gender selection, semen cryopreservation, and antisperm antibody testing and micromanipulation; e.g., ICSI, assisted hatching. Ms. Karl is member of the American Association of Bioanalists and The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 


Leena K. Dalal, MS, CLS
Gamete Laboratory Supervisor

Leena Dalal is Supervisor of West Coast Fertility Center's Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory. Ms. Dalal is a Clinical Licensed Scientist with 21 years of clinical laboratory experience, including extensive tissue banking experience. Ms. Dalal is responsible for the operations of the laboratories including ensuring licensing and accreditation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, State of CA Department of Health Services, College of American Pathologists, and several other agencies.

Ms. Dalal operates, maintains, and conducts comprehensive andrology testing including sperm preparation for IUI, sex selection procedure, sperm cryopreservation, and a variety of other advanced tests. Ms. Dalal has been instrumental in the development and refinement of new laboratory tests that help with the diagnosis and treatment of male and female infertility.

Ms. Dalal holds a Masters degree in Immunology from Long Beach State University and a BS in Biochemistry. She is licensed by the State of California Clinical Laboratory Scientist.


Michele Delapp
Laboratory Technician

Ms. Delapp has more than 20 years of experience in phlebotomy assisting and setting up manual assay procedures and performing assay using automated analyzers. Ms. Delapp is a Certified Phlebotomy Technician in the State of California.


PATIENT CARE TEAM

Joan Moody, RN, CNP
IVF Coordinator & Administrative Nurse Practitioner

Joan Moody is the IVF Coordinator and Administrative Nurse Practitioner for West Coast Fertility Centers. Ms. Moody has over fifteen years of OB/GYN nursing experience in labor and delivery and post partum care. Ms. Moody completed her nursing degree at Rancho Santiago College and is certified as a nurse practitioner.

Infertility treatment can be very stressful, requiring complex testing and extensive interaction with members of the fertility treatment team. Ms. Moody, as Administrative Nurse Practitioner, is instrumental in ensuring that WCFC nurses serve as patient liaisons. As IVF Coordinator, Ms. Moody is responsible for the coordination and planning of the Center's patients. She serves as the patient's case manager and is responsible for all clinical nursing interactions.

Joan Moody, RN, CNP has been a nurse for 34 years and has worked with fertility expert Dr. David Diaz at West Coast Fertility Specialists for the past 14 years. In April 2007, Ms Moody was invited by the Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists to address fertility preservation for cancer patients at their 24th annual conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Maria Ruíz, MA
New Patient Coordinator

Maria Ruiz is a Medical Assistant for West Coast Fertility Centers and Nursing Coordinator for Centro Latinoamericano de Fertilidad. Ms. Ruiz has over 10 years experience in the medical field including clinical patient care specializing in OB/GYN nursing. Ms. Ruiz has specialized knowledge of infertility and lends her considerable experience to our patients. As Nursing Coordinator of Centro Latinoamericano de Fertilidad, Ms. Ruiz coordinates the nursing care for our Spanish-speaking patients. Ms. Ruiz plays a key role in assisting with the special needs of our Spanish-speaking patients.

Maritza Reynoso, MA
Maritza Reynoso is a Medical Assistant for West Coast Fertility Centers. Ms. Reynoso has over 22 years experience in the medical field including clinical patient care specializing in OB/GYN nursing. Ms. Reynoso has specialized knowledge of infertility. Ms. Reynoso also works with our Spanish-speaking patients to provide nursing education and assistance in the coordination of their fertility treatment plan. 

Rosa Santoyo, M.S., L.M.F.T.
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist

Rosa M. Santoyo is a bilingual/bicultural Marriage, Family Therapist. She has a Masters' degree in Counseling/Psychology from California State University at Fullerton. She is in private practice in the city of Placentia, CA. She has worked with West Coast Fertility Centers since 1991, conducting psychological interviews with patients and their spouses/partners regarding issues of infertility and the emotional impact/implications on the patient. She also conducts interviews with potential donor egg providers, egg banking candidates, sperm donors and potential surrogates. She deals with marital counseling, issues of depression and stress management.

Melissa Gutierrez, MA
Marcela Mendoza, MA
Lorena Chavez, MA
Misty Cerini, MA
Beth Torres, MA

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Lina Feria, MBA
Business Administrator

Lina Feria holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia and a Masters in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. She is responsible for the strategic planning of West Coast Fertility Centers including corporate image, marketing, human resources, information technology and coordination of special projects. She speaks fluent spanish.

Michael Peckham
Financial Counselor

Mr. Peckham shares his 20-year experience in the medical field with us. As West Coast Fertility Centers Financial Counselor, he assists patients with the verification of health insurance benefits and any other financial issues that patients have to deal with while on treatment with us.

Carol Bravo
Business Office

Carol Bravo has over twenty years of experience in the medical finance field. She has been with West Coast Fertility Centers for the past ten years helping patients undertstand the sometimes complicated insurance plans. Her educational background includes insurance seminars and continuing education programs. Carol Bravo brings compassion and understanding to the patients that come to West Coast Fertility Centers.

Yvette M. Manard, MPH

Founder and President of Proactive Patient Services (PPS), Ms. Manard directs the firm’s healthcare consulting activities. Ms. Manard has 25+ years experience in working with medical groups, hospitals, health plans, physicians, and colleges to maximize their growth and profitability through cost-effective marketing programs. Ms. Manard has worked with West Coast Fertility Centers and Dr. David G. Diaz for 20 years. She was instrumental in the recruitment of Dr. Diaz from Boston to a Southern California Hospital system to start an IVF practice. 

Since that time, Ms. Manard has provided strategic business development and marketing services to West Coast Fertility Centers and serves as part of his management team.
Ms. Manard received her masters of public health in Health Services Administration from the University of California at Los Angeles. She conducts training classes and lectures in management, marketing, and staff development.

Shirley Blanchard