Advanced Fertility of Chicago - Gurnee, United States

Advanced Fertility has been great to work with throughout my fertility journey. They are responsive and provide personalized care.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but unfortunately I have no choice but to give this clinic one star. After reading many positive reviews and receiving recommendations from families who had successful experiences with AFC, I decided to seek a second opinion there following one failed FET and a miscarriage. My experience with Dr. R was excellent. He is knowledgeable, professional, and clearly experienced in his field. However, my experience with Dr. R’s care team was disappointing due to ongoing communication issues. Throughout my time with AFC, messages often went unanswered for 2–3 days, which was frustrating during such an emotionally sensitive process. Most recently, I underwent an FET and had my first beta test performed outside of AFC on a Thursday. The results were faxed to the clinic. Initially, I was told the care team had not received them. Shortly afterward, a nurse informed me that the receptionist had the results and that I would receive a phone call later that afternoon (Friday) to discuss the results and next steps. Unfortunately, 4:00 PM came and went without any call. At that point, I was feeling extremely anxious and upset. I sent another message asking what I was supposed to do since I had not received any guidance. The following morning, a nurse who was not part of Dr. R’s team contacted me, apologized for the situation, stated she would notify the appropriate care team, and advised me that if I already knew my beta results, I could discontinue my medications. Communication and timely follow-up are critical in fertility care. Patients rely on their care teams for guidance during some of the most stressful and emotional moments of their lives. While I appreciate Dr. R’s expertise, AFC needs to improve communication, responsiveness, and patient support within the care team. I hope this feedback is taken seriously so future patients have a better experience.

Had a great experience here with Dr Tumi. I came from another fertility clinic and AFCC did so much more testing and uncovered issues that my first clinic did not. Additionally, Dr Tumi's nurses are really kind, especially Vanessa, and I always got calls and updates on time and always knew my next steps. I've graduated from the clinic with a healthy baby!

We were honored to have Dr. Catenacci as our IVF physician. She is highly skilled and helped us succeed! We are very happy that we chose her and her clinic. I highly recommend Dr. Catenacci to anyone still looking for an excellent fertility specialist.

Everyone at AFCC is kind and welcoming. The nurses in particular are always happy to answer questions during follow-up calls, which is very reassuring. My doctor is Dr. Tumi. She is warm and sincere and, most importantly, an excellent listener. From start to finish, she carefully listened to our questions and concerns and even took time between appointments to call and check on us. A close friend recommended AFCC to me, and I would recommend it to everyone!

We received treatment here for about a year, and now our baby has arrived! From my first consultation with Dr. Schell, I knew she truly cared about her patients. She patiently explained the IVF process and made it feel less intimidating. I never felt rushed and always felt she was guiding me in the right direction. When I later needed surgery elsewhere, she helped me find an excellent surgeon, and I trusted her recommendation completely. The entire team is wonderful, and the clinic feels warm, private, and welcoming. Thank you, Dr. Schell ❤️❤️❤️ We will return for our next embryo transfer!

I mean no offense to your company; I simply want a response. Tomorrow is my scheduled date. I have kept calling, and the front desk repeatedly told me that I was on the waiting list and someone would definitely contact me today. No one did. I sent three texts and made three calls. This is the second time this has happened. The same thing occurred during my first egg retrieval, and because I was afraid it would happen again, I have tried hard to prevent it. Could your company please take its patients seriously and act professionally? Thank you.

The doctors and nurses did their best, but I believe they were caring for too many patients at once to give each person adequate attention. There were communication problems with my prescriptions and the prior authorization for genetic testing. The companies involved had difficulty reaching the appropriate person at the clinic, delaying my treatment. I chose this clinic because of its strong doctor-patient communication and high success rates, but the administrative paperwork was very frustrating.

I sincerely recommend Dr. Reshef. He is not only highly skilled but also exceptionally kind. After every visit, I feel well informed, calm—which is not easy, lol—and hopeful. He is both practical and approachable.

The staff were very warm and friendly! My doctor was Dr. Catenacci, who was kind and highly skilled. After my first visit, all my treatment proceeded step by step, quickly and smoothly. I received good news after the first cycle. Thank you so much!!!

Dr. C is wonderful! AFCC should do everything possible to keep her happy because she is highly skilled, kind, and listens carefully to patient concerns, taking them into account when explaining the steps required during fertility guidance. I am deeply grateful to have a healthcare professional like her during such a vulnerable time.

After multiple miscarriages, we came to AFC in Gurnee seeking answers and solutions for several fertility issues. We are very glad we did. This week, our son joined our family. There could be no better outcome. During treatment, we worked mainly with Dr. Tumi, with occasional appointments with Dr. Catenacci and Dr. Reshef. All were kind, thoughtful, and professional. Early on, Dr. Tumi seemed genuinely curious about the underlying cause rather than simply ordering standard tests. When we thought we were miscarrying because of a subchorionic hematoma, she arranged an ultrasound for the next morning. Billing was straightforward. We had BCBSIL Select PPO coverage, and after the first appointment they promptly explained what insurance would cover. As with any ongoing medical care, repeated visits, procedures, and lab fees can be uncomfortable, but we were never surprised. We drove from Milwaukee to Gurnee because AFC was recommended and because we were disappointed with care at a large regional hospital, Aurora. If we need fertility care again, we would make the winter commute again.

She is such a kind and approachable doctor, exactly what you want in a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). She always cared about me and patiently answered every question. Highly recommended!

They were excellent throughout our entire journey!

Breath.

Dr. Eli Reshef is truly a miracle worker and a blessing in our lives. From the moment we met him, I felt heard, supported, and cared for. Dr. Reshef is not only highly knowledgeable and experienced in his field but also kind, compassionate, and genuinely invested in his patients' recovery journeys. He was our third IVF doctor, so we know what it feels like to be valued as patients. He patiently and honestly explained every step of IVF, answered all our questions, and eased our concerns. What could have been an overwhelming experience became hopeful and empowering because of his steady guidance and reassurance. Thanks to Dr. Reshef's expertise and care, we finally realized our dream of building a family. We are profoundly grateful and will never forget his role in our story. If you are looking for a brilliant, caring IVF doctor, look no further. Dr. Reshef is the one. Forever grateful.🙏💕

My husband and I struggled with fertility problems for years. We underwent multiple IUI and FET cycles and had to change doctors. We finally met Dr. Catenacci, who was the answer to our prayers. She was amazing throughout the process. As someone with severe anxiety and pain from endometriosis, I appreciated how patient and gentle Dr. Catenacci was. She made me feel that she truly cared and wanted to resolve our fertility problems. After years of trying and failed transfers, we finally achieved our first pregnancy with her help! I highly recommend Dr. Catenacci and her team. They are truly wonderful.

I had a wonderful experience throughout my journey and would recommend them to anyone.

A great place to begin planning your future family. I worked with Dr. Eli Reshef.

Dr. Tumi is amazing! She made us feel comfortable throughout treatment and answered all our questions and concerns. Her warm smile is very reassuring. We love her and her team!

Do you offer egg donation?

Dr. Schell is the real deal. I prefer her to my previous physician at a downtown Milwaukee clinic.

I am very grateful to nurse Cathy and Dr. Reshef for their exceptional support during my IUI procedure. The team truly demonstrated an unwavering dedication to patient care, with special thanks to Cathy for comforting me and easing my anxiety, as I am extremely sensitive to pain and discomfort. Their genuine care and support meant so much to me. They went above and beyond to ensure my well-being. I wish them continued success in fertility care and hope they continue supporting every family seeking guidance from Advanced Fertility.

I have been very pleased with Dr. Catenacci and her team. I had one unsuccessful IUI and then conceived naturally during the next cycle. Dr. Catenacci and her nurses were very supportive, responded immediately, and were also very helpful with my laboratory work. Their portal is easy to use, and laboratory results are available quickly. I ultimately miscarried, but they were very supportive during that difficult time. In a few months, I will try IVF with her for the first time. I did not feel like just another patient at this clinic and was treated compassionately.

I was very dissatisfied with my experience at Advanced Fertility Center in Gurnee. Although my initial consultation with Dr. Debra Schell was detailed, I often found that she went off topic and did not answer my specific questions. As someone outside the medical field, I also found her explanations confusing because they were not clear enough, requiring me to repeatedly ask for clarification. Scheduling the initial consultation went smoothly, but communication broke down severely afterward. The clinic insists on using the Prelude Portal for all updates and communication, including test results and scheduling, with almost no human interaction. For something as personal and emotional as a fertility journey, the lack of direct communication, such as a call from a doctor or nurse, was extremely frustrating. During a vaginal examination, I experienced significant pain, but Dr. Schell stopped only after the nurse pointed out that I was crying. Afterward, I never received a call from the doctor to check on my well-being, which felt dismissive and uncaring. Overall, the office seemed to lack empathy. At times, nurses spoke condescendingly to my husband and me, adding to our discomfort. One especially frustrating moment occurred when I explained that traveling an hour each day for monitoring was difficult and asked whether accommodations could be made for monitoring closer to home. Dr. Schell replied, “Well, it takes me an hour to get here for work every day.” I found this extremely rude and dismissive because it completely disregarded my request and the challenge I had described. I strongly suggest she avoid making comments like this in the future. The clinic's strict requirement for on-site monitoring, even though we live an hour away, was another inconvenience. It added unnecessary financial and logistical strain to an already difficult process. Despite the high costs, potentially over $7,000, the level of care and attention to patient needs fell short. Even after procedures or tests, I received no follow-up calls. Everything was posted in the portal, leaving me to check for updates and initiate communication myself. I called the clinic several times and often received no response. The lack of follow-up made the process feel more like a business transaction than patient care. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this clinic. To improve, they need to focus on better communication, train staff in empathy, ensure timely follow-up, and avoid treating patients like just another case. Fertility treatment is deeply personal and emotionally taxing, and patients need a supportive, compassionate team to guide them. [Added January 15, 2025—There was no follow-up to the response. I communicated through Facebook that I could be contacted, but I received a Prelude message asking me to update my billing information.]

This clinic is wonderful when you first start, but once we discovered my tubes were blocked, it became absolute hell. Dr. Scher went from responsive to unresponsive, and the office staff generally did not care. People come here for help because they have no other choice. I am writing to tell you that if you already feel hopeless, this place will not improve your situation. They referred me to another office for my tubal problem, and that office was equally terrible. I have lost all hope in the healthcare system. I needed a CD containing my results, but they sent everything except the CD. My husband then had to go in person for two copies and deliver them to the doctor they recommended, only to be told again that they were incorrect. They claimed they contacted that office, but the other office told me this was a lie and that no one had called. In this day and age, it has been endless back-and-forth with no concern. I saw many poor reviews of this clinic and ignored them, thinking I should give them a chance. Unfortunately, I am learning the hard way. Thank you for the mind games and lack of communication, and most importantly, for treating me as a number instead of a person.

A very rewarding experience working with Dr. Reshef and his team!

I switched practices because of poor care and diagnosis. There was always a long wait to be seen, and the nurses were consistently rude. When I told a nurse that I sometimes faint during blood draws, she simply wished me good luck. The billing department kept sending bills but would not explain what they were for, even when I requested itemized receipts. After switching to another office, I learned that Advanced Fertility had not even performed the standard tests at the beginning and had pushed me directly toward IVF. The doctor did not know how to use the ultrasound equipment, and a nurse had to come in during my appointment to teach her before ultimately taking over. The entire experience was disorganized and extremely stressful.

A truly amazing first experience. She was patient, kind, and very knowledgeable! She was open to every question. I am so glad she is our doctor!

My experience with this clinic has been entirely positive, from the first woman I spoke with on the phone to the receptionists, medical staff, and doctors! They are all outstanding and treat you like a person, not just another number! I would absolutely recommend them!

I became pregnant on my second IUI attempt. Thank you, ladies. For the first IUI, I was not told that I should have a full bladder, and the sperm was not ready on time. At my last visit, I waited 30 minutes. I was going to give 4 stars, but considering that I now have a baby, that would not be fair. Thank you again.