Fertility and family-building, for all.

Lynn Marie Westphal, M.D., FACOG, graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University, earned her M.D. degree at Stanford University, and did her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA and Stanford University. She did a fellowship in molecular biology at Stanford University and completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) at UCSF. Dr. Westphal joined the full-time faculty at Stanford University in 1998 and was a Professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Director of the Fertility Preservation Program, Director of the Third-Party Reproduction Program, and Director of the REI Fellowship. Her interest in fertility preservation for cancer survivors led her to set up one of the first oocyte cryopreservation programs in the country. She has held numerous national leadership positions and was the President of the Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine from 2008-2009. She was the Director of Women’s Health at Stanford from 2005-2012. In 2012, she co-founded the Stanford Center for Health Research on Women and Sex Differences in Medicine (WSDM) and served as co-director of the program for two years.

Fahimeh Sasan, M.D. is passionate about creating a new generation of women’s health and fertility care. Dr. Sasan did her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC and has been practicing and delivering clinical excellence for 12 years. She was rated one of NY Times Top Doctors in 2016 and 2017 and is passionate about helping women better understand their fertility and their options for the future. In clinics designed for the women of today, Dr. Sasan and her team provide fertility services, gynecologic care, and wellness support – offering the first one-stop-shop for all women’s healthcare needs.

Dr. Brower is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. After graduating at the top of her class from USC medical school, she went on to complete her Ob/Gyn residency and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at UCLA. She served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA for several years where she developed a busy practice providing compassionate, personalized, patient centered care. Dr. Brower was recently recognized as one of LA’s Top Doctors by LA Magazine. Dr. Brower has multiple publications in the field of REI. Her areas of expertise include infertility, in vitro fertilization, fertility preservation, oocyte cryopreservation, recurrent pregnancy loss and PCOS.

Hyacinth Nicole Browne, MD is a board certified reproductive endocrinologist. She majored in Chemistry at Dartmouth College and graduated cum laude. She graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 2002, and she completed her reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Browne specializes in compassionate and personalized infertility care and she is devoted to helping couples achieve their dreams of having a family. She has authored numerous publications and is the recipient of various awards in medicine, research, and academics.

Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi is a board-certified subspecialist in both Reproductive Endocrinology and Medical Genetics by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG). Dr. Foyouzi completed her internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University. Thereafter, she went on to complete her residency at Washington University in St. Louis, followed by her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) at the University of California in San Francisco. After graduating from her fellowship training, Dr. Foyouzi was appointed to the faculty of the University of Michigan as a WRHR Scholar (NIH funded scholarship). In 2015, she decided to pursue training in medical genetics to add a new skill set to her expertise in REI. She completed her fellowship in Medical Genetics at UCLA, where she cared for patients with a broad range of genetic conditions. 

Dr. Foyouzi has authored and co-authored publications in leading peer-reviewed academic journals including Fertility and Sterility, Human Reproduction, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has also presented research at national conferences including those of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI) and the Endocrine Society. Furthermore, Dr. Foyouzi is a reviewer for the Human Reproduction Journal and Obstetrics & Gynecology Journal (known as a Green Journal). She serves as an abstract reviewer for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Dr. Aimee Seungdamrong graduated cum laude with a degree in Chemistry from Cornell University. She earned her medical degree at The University of Texas Southwestern and did her residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital. She completed her training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey, where she continues to teach as an Assistant Professor at Rutgers Medical School. Dr. Seungdamrong has been practicing medicine for over 12 years. She loves providing excellent care to each and every one of her patients, as well as spending time with her family, her dog Luna, and doing dance aerobics.

Dr Christie Messenger received her undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology from the University of Missouri – Columbia where she then continued on to pursue her medical degree. She completed her residency at Mt Sinai Hospital fulfilling a lifelong dream of living and working in Manhattan. Dr Messenger is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to joining Kindbody, Dr Messenger worked with several underserved populations in New York City and most recently comes from a private practice. With over 10 years in the field, Dr Messenger looks forward to both bringing her expertise to the table and learning everything that Kindbody has to offer.  Outside of the office, Dr Messenger is an avid sports fan and theater supporter. In current times, you will find her catching a game on tv, but she is anxiously awaiting the time when she can safely return to stadiums and theaters.

Dr. Jasmine Pedroso, MD MPH, FACOG, grew up in San Diego, California as the daughter of Filipino immigrants. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley with a double major in Integrative Biology and Socio-Cultural Anthropology. After working for multiple nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, she attended the Harvard School of Public Health where she served as Harvard University Presidential Scholar and received her master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Society, Human Development and Health, and a concentration in Women, Gender and Health. She then returned to California to attend medical school at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. After completing her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, which provides care to some of the most underserved populations in South Los Angeles County, she moved to Las Vegas to pursue more specialized surgical training through the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.

Jasmine has a special interest in the most minimally-invasive, technologically advanced, cosmetic, and fertility-preserving and enhancing approaches to chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, female sexual dysfunction, fibroids, incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. She is especially passionate about women’s health advocacy and increasing access to minimally invasive surgery for underserved communities both nationally and internationally, having done work in the Philippines, Cambodia, Uganda, Mexico, Guatemala, and most recently Puerto Rico.

Dr. Sicily Garvin joins Kindbody a Reproductive Endocrinologist, after completing her fellowship at Wayne State University. Her notable medical research continues to fuel her interest in embryo implantation and early pregnancy loss. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Emory University in Atlanta. After graduation, she worked at Emory University as a research assistant in a neurobiology laboratory. This sparked an interest in biomedical research and she earned a master’s degree in Biomedical Science from the Georgia-Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then went on to receive a medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. She became interested in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility while in medical school. As this specialty, combined her interests in endocrinology, women’s health and innovative research. Motivated by these interests she completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Dr. Anupama Rambhatla, MD is an OB/GYN physician in the Bay Area. A native of Southern California, she attended University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology as a College Honors graduate. She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine where she was active in global healthcare and advocacy. She stayed on to complete her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center, training in one of the most high-risk and underserved populations in Detroit. After completing her OB/GYN training, Dr. Rambhatla pursued a fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Reproductive Surgery through the American Society of Reproductive Surgeons/Society of Reproductive Surgeons in Palo Alto, CA, with a special emphasis on treating endometriosis with fertility-preserving techniques. She has authored several peer-reviewed papers in well recognized journals, including Fertility and Sterility and Reproductive Sciences. She is thrilled to be a part of the KindBody family, and excited to explore all the wonderful things sunny California has to offer.

Dr. Bendikson did her residency training in OB/GYN at Harvard and completed her reproductive endocrine and infertility fellowship training at Cornell. She is a California native, having graduated from UCLA with honors. After first leaving Los Angeles for NYU Medical School, she finally returned after training to become an assistant professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Bendikson was a leader at USC Fertility for over a decade. Dr. Bendikson founded the Center for Pregnancy Loss for patients who have suffered from pregnancy loss and miscarriage. Dr. Bendikson also founded the Fertility Diagnostics Program at USC, to provide a way for young adults to better understand their reproductive potential to help them make educated choices for their future.

She is a nationally recognized leader in the fertility field. She has been the Chair of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Patient Education Committee since 2016 and serves as a member of the ASRM Practice Committee. She is on the board of the ASRM Early Pregnancy Loss Special Interest group and served as President in 2020. She has been recognized for many years as one of LA’s Top Doctors by Los Angeles Magazine.

Dr. Bendikson has presented her award-winning research at both national and international conferences. She has authored numerous publications on a wide variety of topics including the effects of Vitamin D on implantation, IVF for women of advanced maternal age, egg freezing, IVF outcomes in women of different ethnicities, and sex selection of embryos.

It is her goal to provide the highest quality care for her patients and to help them fulfill their desire of having a healthy baby, whether that be now or in the future. In addition, she strives to guide her patients through what can be a trying and difficult journey by providing them with the support and personal attention they need and deserve.

Dr. Rebecca Nelken joins Kindbody as the Ob/Gyn in our Los Angeles market! Dr. Rebecca Nelken is a pelvic and reconstructive surgeon. She is one of the few physicians to be board certified in both OB/GYN and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. She has two practice locations, Century City and Santa Monica. Dr. Nelken is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology and Resident Education Specialist at the USC Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Nelken’s major areas of research include pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and medical education. She has published extensively in peer reviewed journals, and authored book chapters on various subjects related to women’s pelvic health.
She is an active member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Urogynecologic Society.

After graduating from Columbia College, Columbia University, in New York with a BA in history, Dr. Nelken earned her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). She went on to perform an internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, all at USC.

Dr. Jennifer Mushtaler, affectionately known as “Ob Jen”, is an experienced and respected obstetrician, gynecologist and minimally invasive surgeon. She has been honored to be named a Top Doctor by Texas Monthly and Best of the Best by the Austin American Statesman. Patients say Dr. Mushtaler is warm and caring, but easy with a laugh and friendly smile. One of her lifelong patients explained, “I knew at that moment that she was really caring about me!”

Dr. Mushtaler graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. Hook ’em! She earned her doctorate at UT Southwestern Parkland Memorial Hospital and completed her residency in Fort Worth, Texas, at John Peter Smith Hospital. In 2010 she founded a successful boutique private practice providing comprehensive care to women of all ages. During that time she completed her DaVinci robotics certification and was one of the first physicians in the country to offer the Acessa procedure for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Dr. Mushtaler is married and she and her husband are proud parents of two daughters. They enjoy participating in triathlon and running events. Dr. Mushtaler has volunteered her service on a Medicaid advisory committee, the Texas department of Health and Human Services and as president of her limited district.

Dr. Kristen Cain is a board-certified OB/GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist who has worked in infertility since completing her fellowship at UCLA in 1995. She was an Assistant Professor at SUNY Stony Brook, before moving on to help start a private practice in Long Island, which grew to the largest infertility practice on Long Island, and the third largest in New York state. She also developed the donor egg and fertility preservation programs while there, opening the first egg bank on Long Island. Dr. Cain moved back to her home state of Minnesota in 2012 to be closer to her family, and was one of three REI doctors serving the entire region of North Dakota, northern Minnesota and eastern Montana. While there, she became a women’s health advocate at the state and national level, working toward improving access to care for infertility patients.Dr. Cain graduated from Jamestown College in North Dakota, and completed medical school at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She completed an internship in Internal Medicine at UVA in Charlottesville, VA before returning to Johns Hopkins for her residency in OB/GYN.

Dr. Ikhena-Abel obtained her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and completed her residency in OB/GYN at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine in Worcester, MA. She completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwestern University.

She considers it a privilege to help patients grow their families. Dr. Ikhena-Abel specializes in caring for several women’s health conditions including infertility, fertility preservation, polycystic ovarian syndrome, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, recurrent pregnancy loss and irregular or absent periods.

She is a reviewer for Fertility and Sterility and the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. She also serves as an abstract reviewer for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Dr. Melinda Henne is joining the Kindbody team with private practice, academic, and military experience. Dr. Henne always knew medicine was her calling, and became excited about caring for women with fertility struggles in high school as she watched her older brother and his wife struggle to conceive. She completed undergraduate education at Georgetown University with a degree in Government Studies before joining the military to complete her medical education at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her OBGYN residency in the military and ultimately completed her Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Stanford University. While at Stanford, Dr. Henne also obtained a Master’s Degree in Health Services Research. She then served in the Air Force and gained experience as the Director of the Infertility Program at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. She was on faculty for the REI and Minimally Invasive Surgery fellowships at NIH and Uniformed Services University for Health Services. After retiring from the Air Force as a Colonel, she was appointed Associate Professor at University of South Florida before she moved to private practice.

Dr. Henne is excited about the opportunity to improve access and provision of women’s health care and fertility treatment at Kindbody. She will be starting in Los Altos, but will ultimately have flexibility to travel and provide services supporting other clinics across the country.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Henne is passionate about her rescue dogs, finding great vegan food, and spending time in the great outdoors. The top of her bucket list is to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro and visit Mt. Everest Base Camp.

Dr. Lana Lipkin is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) with over 13 years of experience providing compassionate reproductive care to patients in the New York City metro area. She grew up in Brooklyn and after completing her residency in NorthShore University Hospital (now Northwell) she returned to New York City to practice OB/GYN: first, at Maimonides Medical Center and thereafter, at Columbia University. After seven years at Columbia University, her interest in female infertility and reproductive health lead her to make the transition to New Hope Fertility Center. After four years at New Hope Fertility, Dr. Lipkin is grateful for the opportunity to join the Kindbody team at such an exciting time.