Meet the Team: Savannah Yslava
Savannah Yslana is an IVF Coordinator at Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She wears many hats for us, balancing her patient responsibilities with being a liaison for our marketing team.
We sat down with her for a few minutes to ask a few questions about life, fertility, and what she hopes to accomplish in her career!
What is your background, and how did you decide to want to work here?
I am actually dealing with gynecological issues of my own. I have PCOS, which is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is a very common hormone problem for women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries. Through my research and understanding of this condition, I became fascinated with female infertility struggles. I realized early in my career through various customer support roles that I love helping people, so once I discovered my passion for this industry, the two fit perfectly together. Once I had this epiphany, I enrolled in Medical Assistant school, graduated then began my new career as an MA for Tucson’s premiere fertility provider, Dr. Gelety
Where did you go to school?
I went to Pima Medical Institute here in Arizona. I’m also from Tucson originally, so being able to help my local community has always been important to me.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
I see many women come in with this dark cloud around them. I can see on their face discouragement, sadness, and ultimately wanting answers to these long-standing problems they are experiencing. Working with them monthly, finding a path to success, and using my struggles with PCOS to connect with them on a human level is incredibly rewarding. For example, even something as simple as calling a patient who has missed her ovulation for three months and telling her that she is now ovulating – and hearing the excitement in her voice – brings me a lot of satisfaction.
What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?
My favorite movie: How to lose a guy in 10 days. It makes me happy, and I don’t know why!
My favorite TV show: Parks and Recreation and The Office. Anything fun and dorky to help me relax at the end of the day is what I like to watch.
What is the thing that people understand the least about infertility?
In my opinion, it’s tracking and understanding the days of your cycle. Many women think you can have sex any day and be good to go. That’s not really how it works. Having a keen understanding of your body’s cycle, including when it’s at its most fertile, can go a long way in facilitating a successful fertility journey. Apps like Flow, which may not be on the radar of some patients aged 35 – 40, can benefit a fertility journey.
On the other hand, having intercourse every day may not be the best course of action for achieving a pregnancy. A male’s sperm count might be low, so combining a woman’s peak fertility with a few days removed from the last time a couple had intercourse can help get them pregnant. I think getting this awareness out is something I try to implement as much as possible.
What are the top three places you’d want to travel to?
London!
Canada!
Brazil!
Spain!
Sorry, I know that’s four, but I can’t decide between them!
What do you like most about working for Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility? What makes it one of the best fertility clinics in the USA?
I really love how close the staff is. It helps us establish a positive workflow so that when we are in front of patients, especially for the first time, they feel confident that we’re buttoned up and prepared to help them. That ultimately creates a positive relationship between the staff and our patients. After the baby is born, the parents often bring them back to our clinic so we can meet them and celebrate them. Our fertility results speak for themselves, but the human connection we can establish with our patients makes us one of the best fertility clinics in the USA.
Outside of work, what do you like to do?
Outside of work, I’m really into poetry. Writing my own and reading poems of others has put me on an incredible journey of self-realization and learning who I am. I understand who I am and what I want for my career and social circles. I want to become a mother within the next two years, so I am trying to prepare my mind for that. So to do that, I am trying to read as much as possible! When I’m not working or reading, I do like going shopping. Sometimes you have to treat yourself!
Tell me about a patient success story that was meaningful to you.
A woman who was going through a divorce had also miscarried recently. About 2-3 months after the divorce finalized, she wanted to rededicate herself to becoming a mother, as being pregnant was her lifelong dream. She came to us with a sperm donation to support an IVF. In addition to her recent emotional traumas, she suffered from a canceled cycle. We had to work with her to determine a medication to stimulate a sustained pregnancy. Through these efforts, her cycle restarted, which is the only time I’ve seen that since I’ve been here, and ultimately led to a pregnancy. To see everything this woman fought through, and against all odds, to come out victorious is my favorite story from my time here so far. As we speak, she’s supposed to give birth next week!
Do you want to discuss your job, life, and passion?
Yes, at the end of the day, we are here for the patients. We are not here to judge; anything in your life that might feel worrisome or awkward might also contribute to your infertility struggles. I stand by Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility’s mission to help every loving person who wants to be a parent know the joys of raising a child. To wake up every day, do what I love, and see the happiness of the patients I serve is what keeps me motivated to help any patient from every walk of life.
To book a private consultation with Savannah, click here!