University of Kansas Physicians Advanced Reproductive Medicine, USA

I had a terrible experience at a local private fertility clinic in Olathe, which recently joined AdventHealth, so I switched to KU. Before undergoing embryo transfers at KU, I had three consecutive transfers without a positive pregnancy test and no clear official explanation. To be candid, we had two more unsuccessful transfers at KU, but without Dr. Holoch's attentive care, I might not be a mother today. After months of canceled cycles and another discouraging failed transfer, Dr. Holoch called me after hours. She said she had been reviewing my case in case we had overlooked anything. She found a small note from my previous clinic mentioning a diagnosis that could cause implantation failure but that they had never discussed. She immediately recommended investigating it further, and 7 months later, after 4 years of trying, we finally achieved our first pregnancy. The nursing team is exceptional. They always respond quickly to portal messages and arrange my appointments. What I appreciate most is that Dr. Holoch is open to my suggestions about adjusting the treatment plan. If I ask whether we can add a medication for a thin endometrium, she considers it carefully and permits it when there is no contraindication. This is exactly what I wanted, rather than the one-size-fits-all protocols at other clinics. Even if we had not ultimately become pregnant, I would still recommend KU and Dr. Holoch because my experience was excellent, the nurses were responsive, and the physicians were willing to try different approaches. I felt like part of a team rather than merely a patient or source of revenue.

We had an extremely disappointing experience with Dr. Courtney Marsh at the University of Kansas IVF Center (KU IVF). Her communication was cold, insensitive, and discouraging. She repeatedly interrupted us, contradicted information her own nurse had already given us, and made the appointment feel like a complete waste of time. She even stated categorically that at age 42, our chances of pregnancy were “very slim.” We are now pregnant. I will attach our current ultrasound images because patients deserve to know that such blanket statements are not only discouraging but clearly wrong. By contrast, our experience at Blue Sky was much better—they were more thorough, respectful, and supportive. Based on our experience, I would not recommend this clinic. Patients in an extremely vulnerable position deserve better, and better options do exist.

I was referred to this clinic. Does anyone know how I can schedule an appointment?

I had an incredibly disappointing experience at KU REI. I’ve been with them 9 months and have yet to have a positive pregnancy test. I’ve been diagnosed with “unexplained infertility” and had to ask for more tests, scans etc. to be completed prior to just trying IUI or IVF blindly. The amount of times I got ZERO answers to my questions is off the charts, where Doctor would actually say “I don’t know”. Chat GPT was more helpful than this clinic and their staffing. Their portal communication is far from subpar. I would get different responses from different nurses, whose advice would differ from another nurse or doctor. I had very serious concerns after a procedure that they put off for FIVE DAYS- wouldn’t bring me in for a scan, knowing that what I was experienced wasn’t normal, and I apparently didn’t make the cut of importance when they prioritized their patients for the weekend. (doctor told me they have to prioritize who gets to come in on weekends). Now- my IUI cycle failed and this is 100% on KU Med for not listening to my concerns or caring enough to give me the time of day to come in for a scan. Interventions occurred SEVEN DAYS post IUI rather than 1-2 days after which could have rectified the cycle. I’m pretty convinced this clinic sees me as just a number, and $$$ signs. The added stress in an already sensitive situation was less than ideal. There are several options when you look into fertility, and I can promise you, there are many better than the care I received at KU med. I will not be returning, and I would never recommend this clinic to my worst enemy.

This is the third fertility clinic I have visited, and it runs like a well-oiled machine! The nurses and staff are kind and professional, and most importantly, communication is very timely. Nearly every message I sent through the portal received a response the same day, sometimes in less than an hour. Dr. Lydic is my physician, and he is excellent. As an experienced fertility and IVF patient with previous success, I appreciated how thoughtful he was and how much he respected my wishes. When I received disappointing news, he contacted me personally, which showed how much he cared. Highly recommend!!

To KU REI, you are a dollar sign. Dr. Lydic has a terrible manner with patients. He also ordered a test that did not even screen for what we were told it would, and we did not find out until a month later. He ordered additional unnecessary labs that I had already completed and whose results I had shared. The front desk staff do not know what is happening. They ask you to complete forms and so forth but seem not to know what they are for and cannot answer related questions. The billing department is an absolute nightmare. They told me my out-of-pocket cost would be more than $3,000, but in fact nearly everything was covered by insurance with a $0 copay. Then they argued with me when I called to ask about it. Their patient portal is outdated and cumbersome. At this point, I am convinced that the stress of dealing with this place may be the reason we cannot conceive. Ask your referring provider to send you elsewhere.

Dr. Marsh is wonderful! I am so grateful to her and to all the excellent staff here for helping us finally welcome our miracle baby.

Choosing where to receive fertility treatment can be overwhelming. I am very glad we chose the University of Kansas. One thing to know about choosing KU for fertility treatment is that they are very responsible and communicate thoughtfully, but all communication takes place through their portal. Once you accept the portal as the main communication channel, all your questions, concerns, and confusion will be addressed. They are very willing to respond the same day or the next day, if not sooner. Whitney, Mackenzie, and Madeline deserve special recognition! You can also leave a portal message asking someone, either a doctor or RN, to call you, and they are happy to communicate by phone that way. The nurses were the most special part of the experience for me. They felt like the best of the best. They are compassionate and willing to rearrange everything to help. Once, when we were close to needing more medication, RN Whitney, an angel on earth, God bless her, rearranged our appointment so we would not have to spend $500 on a small vial we might not need. That meant so much to me. Another RN, Kelly, made a point of hugging me on embryo-transfer day and said she was happy to see that I had made it that far. A few weeks earlier, she had stayed with me while I cried after a setback. One more note about the RNs: on egg-retrieval day, every RN was caring and compassionate. I wish I could remember their names. From the postoperative nurse to the operating-room nurse, they were all kind, capable, and comforting when I felt nervous. The nurses there truly make you feel the human side of care. I understand why people say the doctors are not very personable. They were always warm during procedures, however, and I followed their instructions exactly, with good results! The doctors here are highly skilled. Dr. Holoch also took the time to call me several times and discuss the next treatment plan in detail, which I greatly appreciated.

They never answer the phone.

You are just a cog in the machine here. It was not a great experience.

First-rate care and expertise. Our situation was unique, and they came through for us when others could not.

When I donated my body for a clinical trial, the compassionate, prompt care was 5/5. One year later, after the trial ended, those same needs no longer mattered to them—the care is now 1/5 stars.

I do not understand all the negative reviews of Dr. Marsh. She was never cold toward me. She is the reason I overcame infertility, and I have twin girls who just turned two. This month I am undergoing my second IUI with help from this clinic and Dr. Marsh. My first treatment was during COVID, and I actually saw Dr. Marsh only over Zoom each time. I still received the quality care I needed. The nurses, front desk, ultrasound staff, and providers have always been kind and patient with me. I have recommended many friends, and they are also loyal fans of the clinic! Thank you, Dr. Marsh, for helping me become a mother.

Wonderful nurses and doctors—I have nothing but good things to say about this clinic. You can tell the nurses and doctors care about their patients. Highly recommended.

I called and left messages multiple times, requested an appointment several times through their website, used the website's "Contact Us" feature twice, and even emailed them. No one answered the phone or responded. I received no calls or emails from them. How anyone manages to schedule an appointment or get questions answered is a complete mystery.