Verified
Dr. Melvin Thornton, United States
4.8
Consultations 637
Reproductive Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology
Doctor Introduction
Dr. Melvin Thornton, United States
Melvin Thornton
Attending Physician at GFG
ACGME Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University
Lead assisted reproduction specialist with over 30 years of experience
Professor Thornton earned his medical degree from the University of Washington and is board-certified in both reproductive endocrinology and infertility and obstetrics and gynecology. He joined Columbia University as Medical Director and Program Director of the Center for Women's Reproductive Care (CWRC). He has published more than 50 papers, written several book chapters, and presented more than 100 abstracts at national conferences on infertility, third-party reproduction, and women's health. He regularly lectures residents at SUNY medical schools on reproductive medicine and infertility. Professor Thornton received the New York metropolitan area's Top Doctor award annually from 2017 to 2022 and is recognized as a leading specialist in assisted reproduction.
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Location and Hours
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Monday
07: 30 - 17: 00
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Tuesday
07: 30 - 17: 00
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Wednesday
07: 30 - 17: 00
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Thursday
07: 30 - 17: 00
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Friday
07: 30 - 17: 00
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Saturday
08: 00 - 12: 00
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Sunday
Closed
- Closed Now
Affiliated Clinics
Verified
Global Fertility & Genetics (GFG) Fertility Center, United States
- Reproductive Medicine
Hours: 07: 30 - 17: 00
“I had IVF here, and my wife is now 4 months pregnant. We are very grateful to the doctors and nurses, who were all very nice, and especially to the coordinator, who helped us throughout.”
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Featured Reviews
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On-Site Overall Rating
1 ratings
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X
xy Chen
3 years ago
Dec 1, 2023
I froze my eggs at GFG and had a very good experience. My doctor, Dr. Thornton, was professional, friendly, and humorous. When I knew little at the beginning, he explained everything carefully and patiently answered all my questions. His technique was excellent, and I had no discomfort after the procedure; within a few hours I felt energetic again. The nurses were thoughtful and attentive, carefully asking about my comfort and needs. The whole process was smooth and pleasant. Friends who heard about my experience now want to do it too, and I will accompany them.
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XIaojun Tang
3 years ago
Oct 7, 2023
We had an egg retrieval and froze embryos here. The staff were exceptionally kind and patient. Special thanks to Leika and Ningguang for supporting us online and in person throughout. The anesthesiologist was excellent, and the staff member drawing blood was very skilled. The entire process felt comfortable and reassuring.
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我是流氓兔
4 years ago
Dec 13, 2022
My wife is three months pregnant. We are very grateful to the doctors and nurses, who were all very kind, and especially to Mirianda for always helping us.
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刘敏
5 years ago
Oct 20, 2021
The doctors and nurses are sincere, and both the medical care and service are excellent. Special thanks to the Chinese-speaking medical assistant for caring about us.
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S M
2 years ago
Jun 28, 2024
I received fertility treatment here.
I was very nervous about starting treatment in New York because I lacked confidence in my English, but the Japanese coordinator, Tomoko, made it possible for me to attend with confidence. She interpreted during consultations and always answered questions about everything from insurance to treatment quickly, kindly, and politely.
Before my first visit, Dr. Thornton appeared to have thoroughly reviewed and analyzed my records. He clearly explained the treatment plan and chances of pregnancy in detail, which inspired confidence.
The clinic has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and the staff always greet you warmly. I am glad I came.
Fortunately, I graduated from the clinic after my second IVF cycle. This was thanks to the doctors and all the staff. I would definitely recommend this clinic to anyone considering treatment.
Thank you very much.
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M.K.
2 years ago
May 7, 2024
I was looking for a clinic that could provide fertility treatment support in Japanese, and I found this clinic. It has been about two years since my first visit and about one year of treatment, and I am very grateful for all the support I have received.
Everyone at the clinic is very kind and speaks to me warmly. The receptionists always wished me success with treatment, and when I found out I was pregnant, they celebrated with me as if it were their own news. The doctors and nurses always encouraged me and kept my spirits up. I truly looked forward to seeing everyone.
Tomoko served as my interpreter. Since I did not understand the technical terms, fertility treatment, or the U.S. insurance system very well, she explained everything in great detail each time, which was extremely helpful. Communication is mainly by email, and nurses send test results and medication schedules in English, but Tomoko can help when needed. The day before your visit, you will receive a phone call in English to confirm your appointment.
Thank you again for all your help.
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T O
2 years ago
May 7, 2024
I was worried about undergoing fertility treatment abroad, but Tomoko gave me her full support! Dr. Thorton, Tomoko, and the rest of the staff were all kind, and the visits went very well, so I definitely recommend InNetwork! I am also glad everything could be completed at this clinic.
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S M
2 years ago
Mar 24, 2024
I had preconception screening. Because it was an American clinic, I was very nervous about my English, but Tomoko took excellent care of my husband and me, so I could visit the clinic with confidence. The clinic was also clean and beautiful.
Dr. Thornton was reassuring, and I am very grateful that he helped me feel positive about becoming pregnant.
After the screening, I was delighted to learn that I was pregnant and to confirm a heartbeat. I am very grateful.
Recommended for Japanese people who are not confident in their English!
观
观夕阳江岸
3 years ago
Feb 4, 2024
A very trustworthy company that helped our family through a difficult time. My wife successfully became pregnant at age 53. Annie and her colleagues provided professional service throughout. Thank you very much!
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Ma F
2 years ago
Oct 9, 2024
I am very glad I received treatment at the Global Fertility & Genetics Center. All the staff were friendly, gentle, kind, and professional, so I could undergo treatment with peace of mind. The same staff members were always there, and everyone kindly followed my progress and celebrated the results with me. I am deeply grateful. There was also a nurse who spoke fluent Japanese and kindly consulted with me about various matters, which was very helpful.
Coordinator Tomoko Okamoto not only interpreted our interactions with the doctor but also paid close attention to every detail, including medications and insurance. Whenever I had a question, I contacted them by email or phone and received an immediate response. Ms. Okamoto's presence was a tremendous source of support and helped me through this period. Thank you very much.
I would recommend this clinic to anyone considering treatment.
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Jennifer l
2 years ago
Dec 13, 2024
I am very disappointed. Since I began my ovarian stimulation cycle, my androstenol level has continued to decline. Instead of recommending that the stimulation protocol be stopped or changed, the doctor instructed me to continue it. Only one egg was retrieved on the day of egg retrieval. This was unreasonable. There was no guidance from the doctor at any point. The fees were also higher than at other clinics.
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K T
2 years ago
Dec 4, 2024
I received infertility treatment here. The doctors, nurses, and staff made me feel very welcome and encouraged me as I continued treatment. I am also very grateful to Tomoko, the Japanese staff member, for resolving my insurance concerns.
If you are considering treatment, I highly recommend this clinic.
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H S
1 year ago
May 28, 2025
GFG is a wonderful fertility clinic!
After 3 IUIs, our first IVF cycle succeeded!
Because this was our first infertility treatment, my spouse and I were anxious and had many questions, but our coordinator, Mr. Okamoto, was always kind and helpful. From interpreting during doctor visits and checking treatment plans and insurance to handling everyday details, he was consistently courteous and allowed me to visit with complete peace of mind.
The staff and nurses were kind and caring, and Dr. Thornton was professional and warm.
I am deeply grateful to the clinic for creating this incredible miracle! Thanks to Mr. Okamoto, Japanese patients who lack confidence in English can focus on treatment without worry.
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a o
1 year ago
May 9, 2025
Dr. Thorton is trustworthy and gave detailed pregnancy guidance that reassured me. Tomoko Okamoto provided generous, dependable support with insurance procedures, interpretation, and email communication.
Although I was concerned because of a chronic illness, I could approach conception positively.
I learned I was pregnant during the cycle you recommended and am truly grateful.
The clinic is clean and tidy, with a calm atmosphere and kind staff who put you at ease. I highly recommend it to anyone considering pregnancy or treatment.
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Emily Garcia
1 year ago
Aug 23, 2025
Last month I froze my eggs with the help of Dr. Thorton and the GFG team, and the experience was excellent. From starting in April through retrieval in July, they were consistently supportive, professional, and attentive. Every question was answered clearly, and I felt encouraged and cared for throughout. They patiently waited for the optimal timing to help achieve the best outcome, and their punctuality and professionalism were consistent. As a single woman in my early 30s, I am very grateful for the opportunity to take this step for my future with such an excellent team guiding me. I highly recommend Global Fertility & Genetics. I met many wonderful people throughout the process, with special thanks to Jennifer, Maria, Shantai, Jaqueline, and of course the wonderful Dr. Thorton!
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Haruka K
10 months ago
Nov 21, 2025
I sincerely thank Dr. Thornton and all the staff at GFG for helping me before I graduated from the clinic.
From my first visit, the receptionists and nurses welcomed me warmly and helped me feel at ease. I also sincerely thank coordinator Ms. Okamoto, who always supported and assisted me when I communicated with the doctor in English, which I do not speak fluently.
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Yy I
5 months ago
Apr 12, 2026
The clinic staff and Dr. Thornton are very kind and considerate, making me feel at ease at every visit.
This was my first time receiving treatment in the United States, and I had many concerns. Being able to consult with Ms. Okamoto in Japanese was very reassuring and helpful.
Overall, I find this clinic very trustworthy.
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Nina Gallo
4 months ago
Apr 29, 2026
I highly recommend this clinic. I have gone through IVF twice—the first time at another clinic—and I can confidently say that the level of care here is exceptional.
During such an emotionally challenging process, Dr. Thornton was everything you could hope for: patient, kind, compassionate, and tremendously supportive throughout. He answered every question patiently, no matter how many I asked, eased my anxiety, and made me feel genuinely cared for throughout the process.
The entire team was wonderful, but I am especially grateful to Jennifer, Shontay, and Mao. They were bright spots in my life—warm, encouraging, and always kind. I looked forward to seeing them at every visit, which says a great deal given the stress of IVF treatment.
I will always be grateful that I found such an excellent team!
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Yadin Teitz
3 months ago
Jun 15, 2026
Our fertility journey was long and difficult, but the team at Global Fertility Center was always a beacon of hope. First, Dr. Thornton was exceptional. His warmth, expertise, and confidence reassured us throughout a journey filled with uncertainty. He explained our situation patiently and thoroughly, answered our questions honestly, and made sure we understood every step and knew what to expect. Shante went above and beyond, even giving us her personal phone number so we could contact her at any time. She was kind and knowledgeable, answered all our questions, guided us smoothly through every step, and helped us stay sane. That level of dedication is rare and meant so much to us. Finally, we want to thank Diamond and the entire clinic team for their professionalism, kindness, and support. We could not have asked for more and are deeply grateful!
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Ziana M
2 years ago
Jan 7, 2025
I had an absolutely wonderful egg-freezing experience with Extend. I had previously completed a cycle at another clinic, and the experiences were night and day! My doctor, Valerie Shafran, was wonderful. My treatment plan felt highly personalized, and she made me feel like a real patient rather than another number. Dr. Abittan performed my retrieval and was also amazing! The entire team put me at ease, and I had very positive results. I would definitely recommend this clinic and the entire team.
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mina marsow
2 years ago
Dec 16, 2024
I worked with Dr. Klein. He and the clinic staff, phlebotomists, and sonographers were knowledgeable and kind. I previously had a retrieval at Genesis Fertility, where the standard of care was much lower. My results at Extend were also far better than at Genesis. Overall, Extend was a good experience, but communication was inconsistent. Communication with my Extend advisor was poor, and at times I did not receive all the information I expected. If you are considering a retrieval, I strongly recommend consulting several doctors and clinics and doing your research. Egg retrieval is physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. Multiple people are responsible for your care, so understanding your situation and knowing how to advocate for yourself helps the process go smoothly. I think Extend is better than some other options, but in my experience there were still problems, and I had to take care of myself and conduct my own research.
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Lauren Curovac
2 years ago
Nov 16, 2024
I had a very pleasant experience at Extend. From the beginning, the process felt smooth and supportive. After my consultation, I was paired with an advisor who guided me through the next steps and made sure I knew what to expect. The nurses were wonderful, very friendly, and always ready to answer my questions. Most of my scans were performed by a sonographer who was professional and kind, and my provider always reviewed the results. Overall, I am very happy with my decision to freeze my eggs here. The entire process felt manageable, and I felt genuinely cared for at every step.
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Haley
2 years ago
Nov 15, 2024
I hesitated to write this review, but I hope other women are fully informed before making a financial and medical commitment to this provider. My main priority was finding a doctor and team who would communicate with me, help me understand every step, and treat me like a person. Initially, Dr. Klein seemed to meet both needs because he spent an hour learning about my case and educating me. I was assigned a patient coordinator, Avigayil, whom I could ask questions. When I was ready to begin nearly 5 months later, I called Avigayil and received help with a sensitive situation. I appreciated the injection class, especially as someone anxious about needles. Once the process began, however, I became much less satisfied. During the first 8 days of monitoring, I saw no one except the phlebotomist and ultrasound technician. After blood tests and ultrasounds, a different nurse called every few days with instructions. These were brief conversations, and every question required follow-up, which did not inspire confidence. Avigayil did not check in. I wanted to understand why decisions were made and how my progress compared with initial expectations, but I did not receive that information. On day nine, I was given two different sets of trigger-shot instructions and had to call repeatedly and email Dr. Klein for clarification. By then, I had not spoken or communicated directly with Dr. Klein for more than five months. A nurse said she asked him to call because he should have seen me at least once during my monitoring visits, but I received no call, only an email response several hours later. On the morning of my retrieval, Dr. Klein arrived nearly an hour late for my procedure, although I was the first retrieval of the day, and spoke with me for about 30 seconds before I entered the operating room.
I have undergone several surgeries and procedures, and this was the first time I felt treated like a box to check or a number on a page. A little humanity would go a long way, especially in such an emotional field, but I found almost none here.
Other reviews clearly show that some people have positive experiences here. However, I would warn friends or colleagues against Extend Fertility because they risk having the experience I did. In New York, I am sure you can find a capable practice that offers the humanity and communication you deserve during such an intimate process.
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Jenny H
2 years ago
Nov 14, 2024
The 2 stars, which should be fewer, are for the administrative staff's disorganization and lack of attention before, during, and after the visit. I encountered many problems. Receptionists, coordinators, and nurses did not communicate with one another about next steps or follow up, and they made phone calls while I stood at the front desk. I had to wait a long time between steps, which was acceptable, but whoever received me next seemed unaware that I was there or why. There appears to be internal dysfunction and a lack of operating procedures, making me wary of using this clinic for anything beyond an initial consultation.
5 stars for Dr. Olcha, who was very clear, knowledgeable, and professional. He is the only reason I would consider returning to Extend after the consultation and testing.
(Edit) In response to the business owner: I would be happy to share more. Please feel free to contact me directly.
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Caroline Guo
2 years ago
Feb 26, 2025
Although my interactions with the clinic staff were fine—they were friendly and responsive—I want to share my experience with women considering this clinic. I had an egg retrieval with Dr. Klein, and a few hours later I had to go to the emergency room to be evaluated for internal bleeding. After returning home, I developed vomiting and nausea and fainted. My hemoglobin dropped to 8, and I remained in the emergency room for monitoring. It took 3 weeks to recover fully and feel normal again.
The staff called and scheduled one follow-up monitoring appointment, but they were somewhat dismissive about what may have happened or what went wrong during the procedure. I do not know how often this occurs at this clinic, as complications can arise with any procedure, but I wanted to share this with anyone considering the clinic.
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Cc Perkins
2 years ago
Feb 10, 2025
Do not come to this clinic. They were unprofessional in many ways. All my tests indicated that I could retrieve approximately 20 eggs. Then, two days before my procedure, they said my numbers were poor. It turned out that the doctor had not given me enough medication. I could not believe it. They did not even apologize and tried to blame me, suggesting that perhaps I had not followed the injection instructions. It was a terrible experience! They were unkind and irresponsible, and most importantly, they made me feel uncomfortable as a woman in an extremely vulnerable situation.
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Chelsea Abt
1 year ago
May 5, 2025
Words cannot express how grateful we are to the entire Extend Fertility team. We spent more than four years at another clinic with no answers and a finish line that kept moving. At our previous clinic, we were treated as customers rather than patients. From our first consultation with Extend, the difference was tremendous: we felt supported, informed, and genuinely cared for. The doctors took time to explain every step of the process, and the nurses were compassionate and encouraging at every appointment. These treatments are very expensive, and the billing staff work hard to ensure that insurance covers what it should and/or communicate out-of-pocket costs in advance.
If you are looking for a fertility clinic that combines expertise with empathy, this is the place. We highly recommend them!
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alicia King
12 months ago
Sep 7, 2025
I would not recommend Dr. Klein or this clinic. We paid more than $400 for a consultation, only to be seen over an hour after our scheduled appointment. When we finally met the doctor, Dr. Klein did not apologize, even though we were clearly upset. He seemed distracted, avoided eye contact, and was rude.
After the appointment, I sent my medical records along with a follow-up email but never received a response. I called the clinic and was told to resend everything because "Dr. Klein is not good with email." Given the cost and importance of fertility treatment, this level of care and professionalism is unacceptable.
Dr. Klein is not included on any reputable "best doctor" lists, and based on my experience, the reason is clear. I strongly recommend seeking care elsewhere.
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Ben Hurbrough
9 months ago
Dec 1, 2025
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this practice. Its website emphasizes fertility preservation and freezing, but the clinic told me that single men are not eligible for this already difficult-to-access, highly specialized service.
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alya mabelle
7 months ago
Feb 1, 2026
You care more about your money than your poor customers; a total lack of respect.
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Nick Mata
4 months ago
Apr 24, 2026
A very disappointing experience. The appointment felt rushed and impersonal, and the doctor seemed more focused on promoting other services than providing clear, personalized guidance. After receiving concerning test results, my partner and I felt confused and unsupported.
Communication afterward was also poor. We had to ask for our results, the timeline was unclear, and the doctor never provided proper follow-up. Meanwhile, they contacted us quickly about payment, which felt inappropriate given the lack of care.
Overall, we did not feel supported or valued as patients and would not recommend this clinic.
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Zoo
4 months ago
May 3, 2026
My experience was terrible. Although the doctor repeatedly told me that based on my AMH and other indicators, I should retrieve at least 15 eggs, I ultimately retrieved only 6. Worse, the anesthesiologist asked whether I had considered a hysterectomy while I was undergoing a procedure intended to do the exact opposite. This frightened me greatly, and I would not recommend this procedure to anyone.
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Arnela
4 months ago
Apr 25, 2026
Extend Fertility is absolutely one of the best fertility clinics I have experienced. From the moment I entered, every staff member made me feel comfortable, reassured, and genuinely cared for. The clinic is clean, modern, welcoming, and relaxing.
Everyone is professional, knowledgeable, and patient. They take time to explain every step in detail, answer every question, and ensure that you never feel rushed. I also appreciate how organized and efficient the clinic is—from scheduling and laboratory testing to follow-up, everything runs smoothly. Communication is excellent, and they respond quickly whenever I need help.
What distinguishes Extend Fertility most is its compassion and understanding. The team genuinely cares about your goals and supports you at every step toward success.
I highly recommend Extend Fertility. Their professionalism, kindness, and expertise are second to none.
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brianetra Robinson
3 years ago
Nov 21, 2023
Dr. Thornton and his staff are very welcoming and kind.
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University of Washington
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115 E 57th St Suite 420 & 430, New York, NY 10022, United States
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