Illume Fertility

Dr. Mark P. Leondires is the Founder, Medical Director and Partner in reproductive endocrinology at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be. He is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Leondires currently serves as a member of RESOLVE's Physician Council and a member of ASRM's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force. He is also the Past President of ASRM's LGBTQ Special Interest Group. He has been selected as a Castle Connolly "Top Doctor" in CT & NY for many consecutive years. For Dr. Leondires, medicine offers an opportunity to solve problems; each fertility patient presents a unique puzzle. This, combined with a wide range of interests and life events, is how Dr. Leondires came into reproductive endocrinology and infertility and started his own fertility practice. From the beginning, as one of four children born to his Greek-immigrant parents, Dr. Leondires’s environment has infiltrated and shaped the person he would become. In his early years, Dr. Leondires was raised with a prideful interest of ancient history and architecture, rooted in Greek contributions. This eventually led to a dual major in history and biochemistry at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. While these subjects seem to be unrelated, they represent Dr. Leondires’s dual soul, a Greek philosophy that recognizes the complimenting differences within one person. His freshmen year of college was interrupted when Dr. Leondires’s father suffered a heart attack. Caring for his father inspired Dr. Leondires to become an emergency medical technician (EMT) and enroll in the premed collegian track. After his undergraduate years, Dr. Leondires went to Harvard University to study angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessel formation. This appealed to his desire to study complex science, and he continued to work as an EMT. The latter met his needs to combine science and working with people. Eventually he went to medical school at University of Vermont in Burlington, VT, where he was able to combine his interests in science, helping people, and, of course, fixing things. Dr. Leondires completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine, which was followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. As a resident Dr. Leondires experienced a range of specialties. Initially, he was most interested in the pediatrics rotation, but in the last week he worked with a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. To his surprise, this spoke to him and pointed him in his path to become a fertility specialist. After medical school, Dr. Leondires served as the Director of Assisted Reproductive Technologies at the Combined Federal Program for Reproductive Endocrinology. While under his direction, the ART Program was one of the most successful in the Washington DC area and in the top tenth percentile nationally. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. Another puzzle Dr. Leondires has worked diligently to solve is family building for the LGBTQ+ community. When he became a parent with his partner, he recognized the limited options available to the LGBTQ+ community, which led him to create and launch Gay Parents To Be, an educational resource supporting LGBTQ+ couples and individuals on their own family-building journeys. While his academic and professional career has led Dr. Leondires to spend his time in labs, hospitals and medical offices, he has not abandoned his love for biology and the outdoors. Dr. Leondires spends much of his time at the beach, teaching his two young boys about the marine life of the Long Island Sound. He loves being outdoors hiking, biking and skiing. Alongside his husband, whom he married in 2009, Dr. Leondires is a dedicated father to two young sons.

Spencer S. Richlin, MD, is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist with extensive reproductive surgical experience. He is a partner at Illume Fertility, where he also serves as Surgical Director. Fertility preservation and helping people make informed decisions about their reproductive timeline is an area of passion for Dr. Richlin. "Women may not feel quite ready for family building at this stage in their life, but that doesn't mean they can't still take action right now," he explains. "Their eggs will never be better than they are today – and that's why we encourage freezing so there are options when they need them." Dr. Richlin is passionate about educating patients regarding fertility preservation, especially those who have received a cancer diagnosis. "With cancer, it is an entirely different motivation. We can provide an opportunity to a patient undergoing chemotherapy to retrieve eggs and create embryos or freeze their eggs," he says. "As they heal, they know those eggs and embryos are there for them when they're ready – giving them hope, energy, and purpose for the future". Dr. Richlin is known for his enthusiastic and deeply compassionate demeanor. He learned early on in his career that being an excellent doctor and surgeon did not mean giving up empathy and kindness – a belief that is apparent in all his patient interactions. He feels strongly about passing this learning on to the next generation of medical providers and continues his legacy of compassion by training the OB/GYN residents from Stamford Hospital and providing mentored clinical experience to students at Quinnipiac University Medical School.

Dr. Joshua Hurwitz is a Partner in Reproductive Endocrinology at Illume Fertility and is board-certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Hurwitz joined our practice in 2006 with a passion for patient care and teaching. In addition to his role at Illume, he is the Director of Fertility Preservation for Nuvance Health Network and the Division Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) services in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences of Danbury Hospital. Dr. Hurwitz received his undergraduate degree in Biology & Society from Cornell University, and his medical degree from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Hurwitz completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, also in Philadelphia. During residency training, Dr. Hurwitz was named Best Laparoscopic Surgeon and has received many teaching awards. A Passion for Education & Teaching After residency, Dr. Hurwitz completed a three-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. During his fellowship, Dr. Hurwitz successfully launched several research programs related to reproductive aging and diminished ovarian reserve and has presented his research findings at many leading national and international fertility conferences. His research interests also include premature ovarian failure, oocyte cryopreservation, reproductive surgeries, embryo donation, and bioethics. He has published numerous abstracts, articles and book chapters on reproductive aging, reproductive hormones, IVF, ultrasound, and bioethics. As Division Director of REI at Danbury Hospital, Dr. Hurwitz is responsible for developing and implementing the division’s academic program, teaching residents, and giving lectures, as well as caring for infertility patients. Dr. Hurwitz began teaching residents at Danbury Hospital in its operating rooms and clinic, making his transition to director a natural progression. Dr. Hurwitz also serves as the Director of Fertility Preservation for Nuvance Health Network. He continues to teach and implement the most advanced infertility therapies available, including endocrinological, surgical, genetic and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques.

Dr. Cynthia Murdock is a Partner at Illume Fertility and is board-certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Murdock earned a BA in biology at Cornell University and an MD at Creighton University School of Medicine where she graduated magna cum laude. She completed her residency at Creighton University Medical Center where she was named Berlex Best Teaching Resident. In 2003 she completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health. An experienced researcher, Dr. Murdock has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed studies and presented at several of the most prestigious conferences in the field of reproductive medicine. The focus of much of her research has been on estrogen receptors, hypothalamic neuron function, and precocious puberty. Dr. Murdock has been consistently selected as a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor for her work in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She was chosen by her peers as one of Connecticut’s top fertility specialists based on her outstanding work with patients who need help getting pregnant and building their families. She is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Murdock was previously an assistant clinical professor at Creighton University School of Medicine and a staff physician with Reproductive Health Specialists at Nebraska Methodist Hospital. She has also served as an Assistant Professor of OB-GYN at the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Dr. Shaun C. Williams is a Partner in Reproductive Endocrinology at Illume Fertility and is board-certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Williams’s personal story started with education at an early age under the guidance of his grandmother, Dotti, in Texas. She was from a generation that valued the medical profession second to none, and she encouraged young Shaun’s interest in science by bringing him with her to work at a radiology office. Later he would work in this same clinic during college. Dr. Williams earned his undergraduate degree from University of Texas at Austin and went on to study medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he was part of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He conducted his internship and residency at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he received the Berlex Labs Resident Teaching Awards. He completed a residency at Parkland Hospital, one of the busiest maternity wards in the country with 15,000 babies delivered each year. Dr. Williams was drawn to infertility, a challenging field that is constantly changing and advancing. In particular, he has an interest in the prevention of genetic disorders. More About Dr. Williams Dr. Williams did a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. This esteemed institution was one of the first pioneers in the infertility field and continues to provide cutting edge training for future infertility specialists. Before moving to Connecticut, Dr. Williams practiced with Pacific Gynecology Specialists in Seattle, Washington and was an associate clinical instructor in the Department of OB/GYN at University of Washington. He is currently a partner at Reproductive Endocrinology at Illume Fertility and is board-certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Williams has been published numerous times, and has presented five of his abstracts at American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) annual conference for professionals in the infertility field. He has numerous accolades, including being named a “Top Doctor,” “Most Compassionate Doctor” and “Best Doctor in America.” He is a member of ASRM, Fairfield County Medical Association, Fellow of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and associate member of Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. In 2018, Dr. Williams was reappointed to Assistant Professor at St. Vincent's Medical Center in the Department of OB/GYN of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. Outside of the office, Dr. Williams has been a life-long athlete. While he no longer plays football (he was the high school quarterback), he continues to play soccer in a 40+ men’s league despite the liability of broken ribs and numerous bruises. He also enjoys traveling, especially to Spanish-speaking countries where he can practice his second language. More than anything, Dr. Williams enjoys spending time with his wife and his three children.

When patients have questions or concerns and receive thoughtful answers from their healthcare provider, it goes a long way. This is the patient-first philosophy Dr. Ressler brings to Illume Fertility as a fertility specialist, board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Ressler began her education at Duke University, earning a BS in Psychology. She then received her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University and completed her residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During her residency, Dr. Ressler was awarded the Professional Dedication to Residency Award in 2009, and the Overall Excellence in Gynecologic Care Award in 2010. In 2013, she completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Cincinnati. In 2016 and 2017, Dr. Ressler was chosen by her peers at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine to receive the Fertility and Sterility Star Reviewer Award. She is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI) and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). Dr. Ressler is also a former member of the editorial board of Fertility and Sterility, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s premier international journal for those who treat infertility and reproductive medicine. She has also been an expert reviewer of the latest GYN surgical studies and written literature reviews for the Society of Reproductive Surgeons. Dr. Ressler serves as Medical Advisor for Yesh Tikva, which was established to create a Jewish community of support for those experiencing infertility. She also launched the Pies for Prevention program in her Westchester community to benefit Sharsheret, the nonprofit organization supporting Jewish women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer. Dr. Ressler lives in Westchester, New York with her husband and three young children. She enjoys spending time with her immediate and extended family and cheering for her beloved Cleveland sports teams or Duke’s Blue Devils.

Dr. Laura Meyer is double board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology. After graduating from the NYU School of Medicine, she completed both her residency and fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Prior to joining Illume Fertility in 2020, she was an Assistant Professor at the NYU School of Medicine, practicing in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Dr. Meyer provides comprehensive, compassionate and individualized care to all of her patients on their journey to parenthood. Says Dr. Meyer, “I believe in empowering patients through education and counseling, and partnering with them to develop care plans that meet their specific needs, values and treatment goals.” Dr. Meyer enjoys forming long-lasting bonds with her patients, and is known for her warmth, optimism, honesty and empathy. “For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be both a doctor and a mother. Now, having these dual roles has fueled my passion to help others to also experience the joys of parenthood. There is nothing more rewarding than celebrating a positive pregnancy test with a patient. I love hearing updates from families when their babies are born and as their children grow. It is an honor to be a part of each family’s story.” Dr. Meyer graduated magna cum laude from Duke University, and earned her medical degree at the NYU School of Medicine, where she was awarded the Solomon and Dora Shapiro award for “excellence in scholarship, personality and character.” She went on to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center. During residency, she was appointed Administrative Chief Resident and was the recipient of the Distinguished Housestaff Award by the Cornell Alumni Council and the Outstanding Laparoendoscopic Resident by the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgery. She subsequently completed fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Ronald O Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Weill Cornell Medical College. Prior to joining Illume Fertility in 2020, she was an Assistant Professor at the NYU School of Medicine, practicing in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Dr. Meyer has extensive experience in ovulation induction, egg freezing, in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Her areas of interest include reproductive genetics, third-party reproduction (donor sperm, donor egg, and gestational surrogacy), and medical fertility preservation for girls and women with cancer. Dr. Meyer is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She also speaks Spanish.

Dr. Alexander Kucherov is double board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Kucherov graduated from the University of Rochester with a BA in Political Science prior to attending the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. From there, with the Distinction in Research honor under his belt, he completed his residency and fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center and performed specific research on recurrent pregnancy loss, male factor infertility, and improved birth outcomes with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). In his medical school days, Dr. Kucherov always felt that reproductive endocrinology was the greatest form of physician care, helping people build their families. His passion for working with patients is a trait that comes naturally to Dr. Kucherov, the son of two physicians. His personal interests span sports, movies, and music, and he loves to be outdoors, hiking or going to a Yankees baseball game. As a person who loves the area, grew up close by, and has served the community for a number of years, he finds a personal connection with all of his patients and supports, guides, and leads them along this journey with expert care and compassion. Dr. Kucherov also speaks Spanish and enjoys working with our Spanish-speaking patients here at Illume Fertility.

Dr. Barry Witt is double board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Witt is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the New York Obstetrical Society. Prior to joining Illume Fertility, Dr. Witt practiced reproductive medicine at Greenwich Fertility in both New York and Connecticut, helping individuals and couples achieve their goals with his more than 30 years of expertise in the field. In addition to his academic appointments at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, and Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Barry Witt directed the Donor Oocyte Program at Montefiore’s Institute for Reproductive Medicine & Health, where he was also Program Director for IVF. Dr. Witt served as Medical Director for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) at Greenwich Fertility for numerous years, as a physician at the NYU Fertility Center and later, at Yale. Dr. Witt’s areas of special interest include egg freezing, in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic testing, and reproductive surgery. Prior to joining Illume Fertility, Dr. Witt practiced reproductive medicine at Greenwich Fertility in New York and Connecticut.

Our resident Physician Assistant, Diana D’Amelio, RPA-C, serves multiple functions at the Norwalk, Danbury, Trumbull and Stamford offices of Illume Fertility. As a clinician, she sees patients and performs physicals and procedures such as endometrial biopsies, ultrasounds, hysterosalpingograms and saline sonograms. In addition to reproductive medicine patients, she sees many of the PCOS adolescent population. Diana often does morning monitoring for our patients and evaluates oocyte donors. Diana received her undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University and completed the Surgeon’s Assistant Program at Cornell University Medical College. She has practiced in the field of infertility since 1993. "My hope is that by doing these diagnostic tests, ultrasounds to see the follicles growing, pregnancy scans and other procedures, I’m contributing to helping someone achieve the joyful outcome of a healthy baby," she says.

Christina Polesky brings a unique background of midwifery, obstetrics and gynecology, and prenatal and labor/delivery care to her role at Illume Fertility. Additionally, she is an experienced fertility nurse with an American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) certification. She brings her expansive knowledge of both fertility and pregnancy experiences to her role with our Donor Conception team, reviewing records for and evaluating egg donors and gestational carriers. She also works closely with patients as they navigate fertility journeys - from diagnostic testing, like the hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and sonohysterogram (saline sonogram or SHG), to intrauterine inseminations (IUIs) and pregnancy ultrasounds. We are proud to have Christina's expertise on our team here at Illume Fertility. Her primary locations are Trumbull and Norwalk, with occasional travel to other satellite offices. "As a nurse-midwife, my experience in gynecology and pregnancy care allows me to share my extensive knowledge with patients on a fertility journey. I aim to use my skills with procedures to limit any discomfort someone might experience," says Christina.

Thelma Osei is a nurse practitioner who brings a wealth of experience in healthcare to her work at Illume Fertility. After her women’s health rotation, Thelma knew she wanted to pursue a career in the field. A desire to challenge herself and expand her knowledge led Thelma to fertility care. She works closely with patients to achieve their fertility and family-building goals, performing diagnostic testing such as morning monitoring and pregnancy ultrasounds, hysterosalpingograms (HSG), saline sonograms (SHG) and fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI). Thelma grew up in East Hartford, CT, and graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Western Connecticut State University in 2014. She went on to receive her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Connecticut, and finally, her Post Masters Emergency Medicine degree at Drexel University. The best part of her work as a nurse practitioner at Illume? Seeing her patients' dreams come true. “Nothing is more rewarding than experiencing the excitement and joy on a patient's face during their first pregnancy scan,” says Thelma. Thelma joined the team at Illume Fertility in 2022. You can meet her at our Norwalk, CT and Trumbull, CT offices.

James Speer, M.S., a certified genetic counselor, has over 10 years of experience in the fertility field. As the medical field’s understanding of genetic conditions expands and testing becomes more comprehensive, there is a growing need from fertility patients to work with a specialist to understand and consider their options. As a genetic counselor, Speer’s role is to obtain detailed health and family histories, identify conditions with genetic components and risk factors, discuss inheritance patterns, and provide information regarding genetic testing options. Once test results are attained, he will empower patients with non-directive counsel and provide support as they make their decisions. Many of the fertility patients he works with will have donor sperm or oocytes as part of their fertility treatment. It is important to understand the genetics of the donor as well as the intended parents to fully understand any heritable risk factors. James Speer earned his Bachelor of Science in Medical Cytogenetic Technology from the University of Connecticut School of Allied Health Professions and then went on to earn his Master of Science in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. His career started as a lab technician conducting genetic research and testing. In addition to working with patients for more than 20 years, Speer has been a professor and was the Associate Director of the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program In Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. Outside of the office, Speer keeps busy as a father of four children.

Anthony Porto, M.S., a certified genetic counselor, is a member of Illume Fertility's genetic counseling team, bringing expertise and knowledge that will serve any patient looking to understand and explore their options. Working closely with patients to help them better understand their genetic testing results and make the best decisions for their family, Porto offers both compassion and a wealth of knowledge. As a genetic counselor, he helps obtain detailed health and family histories, identify conditions with genetic components and risk factors, discuss inheritance patterns, and provide information regarding genetic testing options. Once test results are in hand, he works with patients to empower them with non-directive counsel and provide support as they make their decisions. Porto earned his Bachelor of Arts in both Genetics and Psychology at Rutgers University and went on to earn his Masters in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University. He is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and NSGC’s Assisted Reproductive Technologies/Infertility SIG. In his spare time, Porto enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, and camping.

Talia Sanford, M.S., is a genetic counselor and a member of Illume Fertility's in-house genetic counseling team. She brings a blend of empathy and expertise to help patients navigate the world of genetics. She offers guidance and support to individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatments, empowering them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health based on their genetic risks and desires for their future family. By obtaining detailed health and family histories, identifying conditions with genetic components and risk factors, discussing inheritance patterns, and providing information regarding genetic testing options, Talia's goal is to empower her patients with the knowledge and support they need to move forward. Originally from Riverdale, NY, Talia Sanford received her Bachelor of Arts from Yeshiva University College for Women and her Masters of Science in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Talia is passionate about advocating for the importance of carrier screening in every community, and believes that fertility awareness and education is powerful. In her free time, Talia enjoys baking and hosting dinners for friends and family, including her nieces and nephews who have nicknamed her "Queen Aunt Talia." Talia also loves to sing, take long walks while listening to podcasts, travel to new places with her husband and learn about history. She joined Illume's genetic counseling team in 2022.

Kirsten has been with Illume Fertility since 2014, but has has been a nurse since 2002. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Cornell University and went on to earn both her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 2002. She is also an accredited fertility nurse with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Her entire nursing career has been centered in women’s health - first as a nurse practitioner in general gynecology in Philadelphia. She moved to London in 2006 and worked as a fertility nurse on Harley Street. After a move to Tokyo and a short stint as a nurse practitioner in Manhattan, she landed at Illume Fertility in 2014. Kirsten’s favorite part of working at Illume Fertility is helping third party patients as they navigate the process of using donor gametes and gestational surrogates. She feels privileged to empower patients and be a part of their journey.