As the first Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School / RMANJ program, Dr. Forman says he was thrilled to have had the opportunity to launch and shape the program which began in 2010.
“I traveled across the country looking for the right fellowship,” he says. “What drew me here – and why I fell in love with the program – was the opportunity to go
into the embryology lab, to do research, and to be involved in cutting-edge advancements aimed at improving the field as a whole.”
The experience he gained through clinical embryology lab work and hands-on clinical care has helped shape his research projects and is a tremendous asset in improving patient care. Dr. Forman is still very involved in the fellowship program and the embryology lab.
“In the embryology lab, I gained a new appreciation for what happens during that phase of our patients’ treatment, and I’ve had the amazing opportunity to lead major research projects. Having researchers within the program, he adds, makes it easier to meet as a group to address the unique needs of each couple and to form individualized strategies.
“This process can be overwhelming for couples and can add stress to relationships,” he says. “We can help break down each step of the process. We can take over some of the responsibility and work collaboratively to design a plan that includes education and guidance.”
Dr. Forman is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. He is also certified as a High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD) in Embryology & Andrology. He went to Duke University for his undergraduate education and earned his medical degree summa cm laude from SUNY-Downstate College of Medicine. He returned to Durham, NC, to complete his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Duke University Medical Center, and completed his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at RWJ-RMANJ. His clinical and research interests include single embryo transfer, fertility preservation including oocyte vitrification (egg freezing), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and diminished ovarian reserve, and he has published more than 30 articles on these topics. A study led by Dr. Forman demonstrated for the first time that embryos formed after egg freezing are not at an increased risk of being chromosomally abnormal, an accomplishment that was deemed a “watershed” in assisted reproductive technology by one of the world’s experts on cryopreservation. When not working, Dr. Forman enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures, listing Sicily, Israel, and Mexico as favorite destinations. He is also an avid sports fan who can often be found with his wife and three children cheering on the Duke Blue Devils, Knicks or Mets.
