Dr. James A. Grifo, MD, PhD

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Get to know Reproductive Endocrinologist & Infertility Specialist Dr. James A. Grifo, who serves patients in New York, New York.

Well-known in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, Dr. Grifo has been the Program Director of the NYU Langone Fertility Center since 1995. He is also the Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Pioneering techniques in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), Dr. Grifo performed the first embryo biopsy that resulted in a live birth in the United States in 1992. 

“I specifically focus on assisted reproduction, helping people with fertility issues through the use of egg freezing technology and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Specialists in our program were early adopters of egg freezing technology and have pioneered its development. The first baby born through the use of egg freezing at NYU Langone was in July 2005. I have contributed heavily to the development of tools that help to measure reproductive outcomes, increase the number of successful pregnancies, and reduce the side effects of IVF” he stated. 

Thousands of families have placed their trust in the experts at NYU Langone Fertility Center to deliver outstanding clinical outcomes and individualized fertility care. The team of fertility doctors have over 175 years’ collective experience performing IVF. Each physician is certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and many of the physicians also hold Professor or Assistant Professor positions within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Health. While they are physicians first and foremost, the doctors are also active participants in clinical research to advance the safety, success, and affordability of fertility treatments.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Dr. Grifo received his medical and PhD degrees from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He then went on to complete his residency at Cornell University Medical Center, and his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Yale University.

Licensed to practice medicine in New York, the doctor is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology & reproductive endocrinology and infertility by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). The mission of the ABOG is to define specialty standards, certify obstetricians and gynecologists, and facilitate continuous learning to advance knowledge, practice, and professionalism in women’s health.

A member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) since 1989, Dr. Grifo has served on the Ethics Committee and is past president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART).

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgical subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that trains physicians in reproductive medicine addressing hormonal functioning as it pertains to reproduction, as well as the issue of infertility. While most REI specialists primarily focus on the treatment of infertility, reproductive endocrinologists are trained to also evaluate and treat hormonal dysfunctions in females and males outside after the reproductive years.

Receiving many honors during his career, including the President’s Award from RESOLVE and the SART prize for research, Dr. Grifo has been featured extensively in top-tier national media, including Vogue, The New York Times, TODAY Show, CNN, MSNBC, The New Yorker, Scientific American, and Wired, among others. His book, The Whole Life Fertility Plan, co-written with Kyra Phillips, was published in 2015.

Among his other accolades include On-Time Doctor Award (2018, 2016, 2015, 2009), Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2018, 2016, 2011), Patients’ Choice Award (2018, 2016, 2015, 2012), and Top 10 Doctor – City (2014).

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