Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/139497
Dr. Ryan Riggs Background: Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Riggs trained at the distinguished Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where the first IVF baby in the United States was conceived. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Riggs is married and has a 7-year-old daughter. Why Colorado? We like Denver because we love to be active and outdoors. We also feel Denver is a multicultural, cosmopolitan city that still has that small-town charm. Why Conceptions? Conceptions is a world-class fertility center that ranks in the top 5 for pregnancy rates in the country. These kinds of pregnancy rates are not accidental. They require a highly disciplined, compassionate and detail-focused team. Why REI? I really feel like I have the best job in the world. What we do allows us to make very significant, life-altering changes in people's lives. I appreciate the intimate, personal connection we develop with our patients. And I really love that our field is rapidly evolving. What are common misconceptions about infertility? Patients feel like they are alone, and they feel like things are hopeless. The reality is that one in six couples faces infertility, and that almost every patient can conceive. Also, not all infertility requires IVF. Some patients become pregnant very quickly and inexpensively, graduating back to their obstetricians in very short order. Name one of the most exciting changes you've witnessed in your field? Genetic screening of the embryos. The vast majority of embryos that don't implant are chromosomally abnormal, and you can't tell which ones those are by how they look. But now we know. We can return a single embryo and offer the patient a 70- to 80-percent success rate with minimal risk of having twins or triplets. What current research appears particularly promising? The development of more sophisticated and less invasive methods to evaluate the genetic information of the embryo. For example, if we can analyze the fluid in which the embryo lives to understand which embryos are better, then we will have made another quantum leap. We no longer have to remove cells - it's like taking a tissue biopsy without having to remove tissue. That's going to be big. What is the most rewarding part of your job? When I go to work every day, it doesn't feel like work because I truly enjoy helping people expand their families. There's nothing more special than that. And seeing them smile — that just never gets old. of what's out there and what's new, so I can provide the best care for my patients. What are the biggest misconceptions about IVF? That people can't afford it. At Conceptions, we have the most competitive pricing in the state. And I think a lot of people think that it's not going to work for them, but Conceptions has the No. 1 success rate in Colorado. I think another misconception is that there's a high risk of multiples. More than 80 percent of our patients have a singleton. Name one of the most exciting changes you've witnessed in your field? IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection, or ICSI, where we actually take one normal sperm and inject it into the egg during in vitro fertilization. That really has decreased the chances of not having the egg fertilized and has overcome many male infertility issues. What is the most rewarding part of your job? Having such an integrated relationship with patients, because we see them so frequently and during such an emotional time. Being able to see them through all of that and into early pregnancy is so exciting. It's really one of those indescribable experiences, helping a person start a family. And then we kind of become part of that family. www.conceptionsrepro.com Medical Profile • 7