Dr. James Stelling, United States
     
4.9
Consultations 34
Reproductive Medicine
Doctor Introduction

Dr. James Stelling, United States


Dr. Stelling is double board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, with 25 years of experience helping people build families. He graduated with honors in biology from Cornell University and then from the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, where he received the UpJohn Award for Clinical Excellence. Dr. Stelling remained at Stony Brook University Hospital for his obstetrics and gynecology residency, serving as administrative chief resident and receiving both the Resident of the Year Award and the AAGL Award for Excellence in Laparoscopy. He completed fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and fertility training at Boston IVF. Dr. Stelling is a board-certified high-complexity laboratory director (HCLD) and regularly works in the laboratory with his embryology team. He is an assistant clinical instructor in obstetrics, gynecology, and infertility at Stony Brook University Hospital and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Endocrine Society, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, Suffolk Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, where he serves as board secretary, and American Medical Association. He is currently chief of gynecologic endocrinology at Good Samaritan Medical Center, the hospital where he was born. Dr. Stelling is licensed to practice in New York.

Born and raised on Long Island, Dr. Stelling has dedicated his career to helping Long Island families achieve healthy pregnancies. He is committed to applying advanced technology in a comfortable, affordable setting. His research interests include uterine abnormalities and preimplantation genetic testing. He directs the tissue bank and egg donation program. Much of his career has focused on helping patients preserve fertility for the future, including women and men facing treatments or conditions that could cause infertility. He is skilled in semen cryopreservation and oocyte vitrification.


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Location and Hours
500 Commack Rd Suite 202 & Suite 204, Commack, NY 11725, United States
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  • Monday

    06: 30 - 14: 00

  • Tuesday

    06: 30 - 14: 00

  • Wednesday

    06: 30 - 14: 00

  • Thursday

    06: 30 - 14: 00

  • Friday

    06: 30 - 14: 00

  • Saturday

    07: 00 - 11: 00

  • Sunday

    Closed

  • Closed Now
    Affiliated Clinics
    Island Fertility, United States
         
    • Reproductive Medicine
    Hours: 06: 30 - 14: 00
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    Feb 3, 2025
    Absolutely horrible experience with this practice ! I was kind enough to delete the details of the experience of what I went through over the course of my time here . I’ll leave it as trust every review you see that is negative .
    Jan 11, 2025
    I had a wonderful experience at Island Fertility and highly recommend this office for any fertility concerns. Throughout the process, the entire staff was compassionate, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. They truly went above and beyond to ensure that you felt cared for at every step.
    Jan 11, 2025
    Jan 4, 2025
    Terrible office. My biggest regret is not reading the reviews before my consultation and having to experience this firsthand. Also note that none of the highly rated reviews explain why they gave five stars, which makes me believe they are not genuine, while all the negative reviews provide extensive details. Very strange. Some positive reviews are about the doctors, who are wonderful, but ultimately you need the office—not just the doctors—to perform well.
    Dec 24, 2024
    Feb 5, 2025
    Posting for my wife because she is beyond frustrated. We came to this office for help becoming pregnant. They told us insurance would cover everything discussed. A month later, we received two bills: $800 from the office and $3000 from the laboratory!!!! After everything we had to endure, ending up with bills like this is outrageous. On top of that, we have been trying to speak with someone about the bills, but no one returns our calls. We have left multiple voicemails and emails! We received replies saying they would investigate. 8 months later, there is still no email response or return call. I will never set foot in this place again. It is extremely unprofessional and not helpful at all! Today I sent a final email describing how I felt about the matter, and someone finally called. I was working and missed it. When I called back, it was the answering machine again. That was the final straw, so I am sharing my experience here. Good luck if you go here!
    Feb 28, 2025
    I am very grateful for the exceptional care I received at Island Fertility. From my first visit, the staff made me feel welcome and supported during a deeply personal and emotional journey. During my first visit, I witnessed an unforgettable moment in the waiting room when a woman entered with a beautiful baby and asked to see Dr. Lauren Safier, an Ivy League physician and Cornell University graduate. She wanted to show Dr. Safier the beautiful baby she had helped bring into the world. It was a heartwarming sight that immediately gave me hope and reminded me of Island Fertility’s incredible impact on so many families. Dr. Safier and the entire Island Fertility team took the time to listen to my concerns and answered all my questions with patience and compassion. Their expertise and dedication were evident at every step. I appreciated the personalized treatment plan tailored to my specific needs, which made me feel valued as a patient. Island Fertility’s warm and caring environment helped ease my anxiety, and I always felt well cared for. Communication throughout the process was excellent, and I always knew what to expect. Thanks to the tremendous support from everyone at Island Fertility, I now feel hopeful about my journey. I highly recommend Island Fertility to anyone seeking fertility treatment. Thank you for everything 💕🐣💕 Love, Jenny 💕
    Jul 17, 2025
    Horrible office! I was kind enough to delete the details of this living nightmare experience of what I truly went through over the course of my time here . The office staff is the worst! I will leave it as every review you see that is negative better believe it if not it’s 99 % worse than what you read trust in them ! I wish I read and believed so badly so I could have used my brain to never go here . Finding another place for my family future was the most amazing , life changing experience
    Jul 15, 2025
    My partner received the worst treatment here, while I kept receiving countless bills. This is completely unacceptable! This clinic is so incompetent that I can no longer say anything positive about its doctors. I strongly recommend leaving and going to a clinic that is not completely incompetent. It was the best decision we made.
    Jul 14, 2025
    Jul 12, 2025
    Jul 8, 2025
    I came to this clinic to conceive my second child. Unfortunately, their lack of personalized care and professionalism left me deeply disappointed. I barely saw the doctor I originally scheduled with, and neither he nor the doctor I switched to performed my procedures. Both times, completely different doctors did them. One of my cycles was managed so poorly that I started my period in the middle of the cycle, showing that their timing was wrong. Despite clear signs that something was not right, they did not adjust my treatment plan. They told me, “Some methods work and some do not,” which felt dismissive and careless. I had no problems conceiving my first child, so I knew something was wrong. I eventually switched clinics, was diagnosed with endometriosis, and conceived twins. Some people may succeed here, but in my experience, this clinic operates more like a factory—too busy to provide the personalized care that infertility patients truly need and deserve. I do not recommend it.
    Jul 24, 2025
    I wish I could give zero stars. This clinic charges twice because some tests are performed in-house and others are sent out, so both the laboratory and clinic bill you. This does not benefit patients, and all laboratory results are sent out anyway. I emailed the finance department a week ago and have received no response. The clinic manager and clinic do not support patient-centered care because you must first complete one treatment cycle with the provider you initially consulted before you can switch providers. What is the point of a consultation if you are forced to continue with a provider whose treatment plan you do not like? Why should I waste time and money trying a provider after a poor experience? Good luck reaching the clinic by phone; they never answer. Unless you leave a portal message, you will never reach anyone. It is an endless, frustrating game of phone tag.
    Aug 2, 2025
    The doctor is excellent, but scheduling is a nightmare. Be aware that if you do not complete the online consent form before your first visit, they will refuse to see you. Even if you have submitted your complete medical history and your partner’s, forgetting a consent form that could easily be signed in the office means they will turn you away and cancel the appointment. After extensive arguing, the doctor finally agreed to a telehealth visit. I was told to call on cycle day one, so I called at 7:30 a.m. to schedule IUI but did not receive a callback until 3:00 p.m. They have no receptionist answering calls, which is unbelievable, and no one answers your voicemail. After hearing the outrageous price they planned to charge for IUI and repeatedly being unable to reach anyone to schedule, we never returned. Because timing is critical, waiting all day for an appointment is extremely frustrating, especially when you must take time off work. This may have been my worst experience with office staff, from canceling an appointment over one consent form to never returning calls to schedule. I would not recommend this clinic unless they improve telephone staffing.
    Aug 25, 2025
    Aug 22, 2025
    My husband and I have received care from Dr. Trivax at Island Fertility for eight months. Although our difficult journey continues, I cannot praise the nurses, technicians, and Dr. Trivax enough.\n\nPros:\nThe process is inevitably stressful, but Dr. Trivax is calm and patient, and we leave optimistic. He answers every question, explains next steps in plain language, never rushes us, offers options with their advantages and disadvantages, and supports our decisions. Other doctors and nurse practitioners who covered when he was unavailable were also knowledgeable and helpful.\n\nThe compassionate nurses and technicians have supported me through my best and worst moments. Appointments are easy and flexible, even at short notice. Visits involving ultrasound, bloodwork, and the doctor usually finish within 45 minutes without feeling rushed, and waiting-room time is generally under 5 minutes. Communication is reliable: promised calls about results, medication, or follow-up always arrive. The portal conveniently holds laboratory work, documents, and results and provides replies to nonurgent messages within 24 hours.\n\nCons:\nThe office rarely answers directly; you leave a message for a callback. Calls before about 1 p.m. are usually returned that day, otherwise early the next day. Only once did I need to call again. We had minor front-desk issues, including long holds that disappeared after calling back, likely due to new staff or systems. We also had to push them to send information after insurance incorrectly denied covered care, but they resolved it quickly. These seemed like training or process issues.\n\nOverall:\nThe benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. What matters is timely access, a trusted doctor helping us build a family, and excellent nurses and technicians at every visit. This team has kept us positive through stress and uncertainty, and I highly recommend them.
    Aug 30, 2025
    Unfortunately, the only thing the doctor wanted to discuss with me was my need to diet. He made me feel as though I was too heavy to be carried and told me I needed a life coach.
    Sep 20, 2025
    I had an amazing experience at Island Fertility. From the moment my husband and I arrived we felt understood and acknowledged. Dr Safier is truly an angel God sent. She helped us through all the obstacles and to get pregnant. All the staff are also very welcoming. I’m not sure why all the recent negative reviews as I personally never had issues going to this clinic.
    Oct 11, 2025
    I have been calling for a week to schedule an appointment, but no one answers. I left messages, but no one returned my calls. What is the point of having a phone if you do not answer it? We would not call and keep you busy if we did not need your help. Please be more responsible toward your customers. Thank you🙏 I hope they call me back to schedule an appointment.
    Nov 5, 2025
    Nov 4, 2025
    The doctors, nurses, and clinical staff at Island Fertility are excellent. They are kind, considerate, and clearly care deeply about their patients. However, the administrative and office staff made my experience extremely stressful and frustrating. It was nearly impossible to reach anyone by phone, voicemails went unanswered, and emails were never acknowledged. I only received a return call after telling my doctor that I planned to leave the clinic. Although I submitted all documents months in advance, my name was incorrect in the system. I repeatedly provided documentation, but the issue remained unresolved and caused billing and insurance problems. My name was finally corrected only after more than four weeks of calling several times a week. I also encountered inappropriate comments about my partner’s fertility issues that felt unprofessional and unnecessary. The medical care is high quality, but poor office management made an already emotional process much harder. I will not return and do not recommend this clinic.
    Nov 1, 2025
    I had a very good experience at Island Fertility. I had previously completed two unsuccessful IVF cycles at another clinic and was terrified I would never conceive. I then transferred to Dr. Herslag and successfully conceived two embryos. Dr. Herslag and the nurses were wonderful. My only complaint is that they rarely answer the phone. Once connected, however, messaging through the online portal is much easier.
    Oct 27, 2025
    My experience at Island Fertility was extremely distressing. My treatment was repeatedly delayed because of preventable administrative errors, poor communication, disorganization, and a phone system that made it nearly impossible to reach a person, even for time-sensitive issues. Repeated mistakes, ongoing communication failures, and frustration ultimately forced me to leave the clinic.
    Oct 25, 2025
    Dec 1, 2025
    I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Trivax and Island Fertility. From the very first time we met, he made me feel supported, informed, and genuinely cared for. IVF can be overwhelming. It is filled with ups and downs, but he is calm, compassionate and really cares about his patients. He never rushes you, always listens, and addresses all concerns.I always felt like I was in the best possible hands.There are no words to express the gratitude we feel for him and the entire staff. Thanks to Dr. Trivax we have the family we always dreamt of.
    Nov 29, 2025
    Nov 23, 2025
    Nov 15, 2025
    Top doctors and clinic for infertility treatment!
    Nov 12, 2025
    Do not use this place if you only need testing. My husband had a test in August, and it is now November with no results. I have called countless times, and they always tell me to contact my OB-GYN because the results must come from a doctor. I have asked them four times to fax the results to my doctor, but they still have not arrived. It is 2025 and they still use fax. They have no patient portal or email, but they did know my address well enough to send the bill. Do not use this place!
    Dec 9, 2025
    Very disappointed. I booked months in advance because Long Island fertility specialists are in high demand. Several administrative staff confirmed that they accepted our insurance. One hour before the appointment, the office called to say they did not accept it and I would have to pay out of pocket. I was furious. After confirming several times, why tell me only an hour beforehand and force me to cancel? I now have to find another fertility doctor and wait weeks or months to begin trying to conceive. I am extremely disappointed by this poor communication.
    Dec 6, 2025
    Jan 10, 2026
    Jan 10, 2026
    My experience with the front desk and clinic was terrible. The first time I called to schedule, the phone rang and went to voicemail. After that, I usually sent messages through the portal because responses were faster there. One front desk staff member was rude and did not seem to know what she was doing. She assisted us several times, and every experience was poor. She could not clearly explain the egg retrieval forms and became impatient when we completed them incorrectly. The male front desk employee explained everything clearly and was very patient. On another occasion, she forgot to check us in and then lied about it. I am not foolish; I had been coming there for months. The only long wait was to see the doctor; blood draws and ultrasounds were fast. I had been waiting 40 minutes, and two or three people who arrived later were called in before she came to ask my last name, showing she had never checked me in. When I asked what had happened, she again said that everyone was there for different reasons. That made no sense because only blood tests and ultrasounds were performed on that side, while procedures were performed elsewhere. If I had been waiting for the doctor, I would have expected to wait, and others would have been ahead of me. The nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, ultrasound technicians, and phlebotomists were all friendly. I had no negative experiences with them. Blood tests and ultrasounds were genuinely fast and efficient. Overall, however, I went there to identify the cause of my fertility problems, but they did not determine it and only recommended IVF. They performed no testing on my husband and focused only on the woman and the procedure. If you only want IUI or IVF, the clinic itself is clean, and appointments are available quickly if you can reach someone by phone. Checkout usually takes a long time. On one occasion, the same woman scheduled very slowly, which was stressful and frustrating, especially given the pressure we were already under. Good luck to everyone undergoing fertility treatment. It is not easy, and we all simply hope the process will go more smoothly.
    Dec 31, 2025
    Dr. Hershlag and everyone at Island Fertility are the best. I owe everything to them. I have never received such attentive care at any other clinic. They are warm, friendly, and caring, and they take time to understand every patient, creating an excellent care experience. I recommend them to everyone!
    Dec 27, 2025
    Jan 31, 2026
    Island Fertility and Dr. Trivax are amazing. I became pregnant after only two IUIs, and the entire team was very supportive, responsive, and genuinely caring throughout the process. I am incredibly grateful for their help and highly recommend them.
    Jan 30, 2026
    Do not go to this clinic! Because of the character limit, I cannot write my full review. In short, if I could give a negative rating, I would. This clinic came highly recommended, but it was a nightmare. The doctors and staff appear warm and friendly, but in reality they do not care about you, your medical needs, your future fertility plans, or whether your medical information is accurate and readily available. In my view, these are basic requirements for a fertility clinic. If you are heavier, do not go to this clinic! Their anesthesiologists will not provide anesthesia to anyone above a certain BMI, with no exceptions. They will require you to lose weight—every pound, because the anesthesiologist will not even meet with you if you are over the limit. You can go to their Albany clinic or try an egg retrieval without anesthesia. They also make changing clinics extremely difficult. Like a resentful girlfriend who refuses to return your sweatshirt, requesting your records so you do not have to start over at a new clinic is not even worth it. Just repeat all the testing at the new clinic. You will get the results faster and more easily.
    Mar 1, 2026
    Mar 1, 2026
    The reason for my appointment was not addressed. They also promoted other services I was not interested in. During the video consultation, I was told there was nothing wrong with me.
    Feb 21, 2026
    The doctors and staff are kind, but the billing and finance department is one of the worst I have encountered.
    Feb 16, 2026
    I cannot say enough good things about Island Fertility. From the moment you enter, the staff are welcoming, professional, attentive, and compassionate. The entire team goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and reassured. Dr. Trivax is an exceptional physician. He listens carefully, explains everything clearly, and ensures you feel understood and valued. Most impressive is how deeply he cares about helping patients and understands the difficulty of this journey. He is thoughtful, thorough, and knowledgeable, and I believe my husband and I will soon be able to build our family. If you are looking for a fertility clinic that provides respect, compassion, and excellent medical care, I highly recommend Island Fertility. Dr. Trivax and his team are the best!
    Feb 15, 2026
    Excellent service and highly skilled doctors! Their attention to detail and patient care are outstanding.
    Mar 22, 2026
    Mar 21, 2026
    This hospital is so wonderful that words cannot describe it! The doctors and staff are all very kind!
    Mar 21, 2026
    I highly recommend Island Fertility! My husband and I saw Dr. Trivax, and he was wonderful. He was approachable, knowledgeable, and extremely supportive. Whenever we had a question or concern, he was available by phone or email. If you want a doctor who truly cares and takes time to understand you and your goals, see Dr. Trivax. My husband and I had an excellent experience at Island Fertility and sincerely recommend Dr. Trivax for fertility treatment.
    Mar 21, 2026
    Mar 21, 2026
    They were excellent and highly professional. From my first day at the office, I received outstanding attention and customer service. They patiently explained every step of the process and made me feel very reassured. I highly recommend them!
    Apr 11, 2026
    I like it there. The staff are very nice.
    Apr 11, 2026
    I liked meeting with Dr. Safier, however I feel like the communication is lacking. I’ve had many tests run and I feel like I only got a quick message back. I didn’t get to speak with anyone about my results or the process with my insurance company and egg freezing. I had to call the insurance company myself. This is a very overwhelming experience and I feel like I don’t have that much guidance.
    May 9, 2026
    May 9, 2026
    The doctors and nurses are very kind and helpful.
    Apr 25, 2026
    Apr 14, 2026
    If I can give 0 stars to this place and the staff who works there specially the staff who works in front for check in should be fired immediately. They don’t care about patients they are in their own world and chilling their to spend time.
    Jun 27, 2026
    Jun 27, 2026
    此刻,我已怀孕20周,正在布置宝宝的婴儿房,不禁停下来,热泪盈眶,满怀感激。如果没有斯特林医生和岛屿生育中心的全体医护人员,我不可能拥有这般美好的时刻。 无数次,我感觉自己的身体快要崩溃了。每一次挫折都让我怀疑,我成为母亲的梦想是否还能实现。但每当我失去希望,斯特林医生总能找到新的方法。即使在我自己都觉得身体已经放弃我的时候,他也从未放弃过我。他的专业知识、坚定的决心和孜孜不倦的求知精神,最终成就了这一切。 感谢您在我最需要的时候给予我希望,感谢您从未放弃我和我的丈夫。因为您的关怀、专业的知识和始终如一的支持,我们终于可以迎接这个奇迹的到来。我们永远无法用言语表达对你们的感激之情,感谢你们帮助我们实现了这个梦想。我们将永远铭记于心。
    Jun 27, 2026
    May 13, 2026
    Mar 25, 2026
    Feb 26, 2026
    Feb 27, 2026
    Dr. Sterling is very kind and knowledgeable! I look forward to continuing this journey with his team.
    Jan 30, 2026
    Feb 6, 2026
    Jan 7, 2026
    Jan 8, 2026
    He was very personable, kind and direct! He had very good bedside manner! He took the time to read up on me before meeting with me and understood exactly what my concerns were and what my goal is.
    Dec 19, 2025
    Very easy to communicate with. Kind and reassuring.
    Dec 3, 2025
    Dec 3, 2025
    Oct 30, 2025
    Throughout my fertility journey, I always felt supported and understood. Dr. Stelling is not only highly professional but also kind, approachable, and reassuring—I truly trust him. He made me feel comfortable and confident at every step. Thank you so much for your guidance, patience, and positive energy!
    Nov 3, 2025
    Dr. Stelling is an extremely intelligent doctor. He backs everything he says with evidence. What makes him wonderful however, is he is always available to his patients. Never once has he denied speaking to me when I had questions or was just anxious about something. Highly recommend to anyone going through this difficult journey.
    Nov 7, 2025
    Dr. Stelling and the entire Island Fertility team gave us tremendous support, patience, and care throughout our family-building journey. The process can feel intimidating and overwhelming, but you put us at ease and cared for us like family. We especially appreciate the staff's patience in answering our questions, the nurses' clear explanations, meticulous attention to detail, and compassionate support. Thanks to your tireless efforts, we are now expecting our first baby. We will always be grateful that you helped us fulfill our dream of building a family.
    Oct 7, 2025
    Oct 8, 2025
    Oct 17, 2025
    He is genuinely very kind and attentive. I had no questions because he answered them before I could ask. I look forward to visiting the clinic and having him as my doctor.
    Jun 28, 2025
    Terrible. Because I did not continue treatment with them, they refused to perform my test even though a doctor had approved it during a medical consultation.
    Sep 23, 2024
    I have been with Dr. Stelling for over two years. I am a successful IVF mom and ready for more! I highly recommend Dr. Stelling and the other doctors in the office. The staff are very kind and compassionate; they remember your face and make you feel comfortable during these difficult times.
    Jan 10, 2025
    So far, Dr. Stelling and everyone in the office have been excellent at answering my questions and moving the process forward clearly. Everyone has also been friendly, which I truly appreciate during such a stressful process.
    Feb 6, 2025
    Dr. Steeling was very professional and understanding. He helped me and informed me of every possibility before I made my final decision. I would recommend him ten times out of ten.
    Mar 7, 2025
    Mar 13, 2025
    Dr. Stelling is responsive, personable, and knowledgeable. I truly appreciate his positive attitude and kind manner.

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      500 Commack Rd Suite 202 & Suite 204, Commack, NY 11725, United States

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    • Preimplantation Genetic Testing and IVF
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