University of Connecticut’s Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (The Center)’s Nursing Program and Laboratory Honored for High Standards in Educational Excellence & Leadership by National Medical Society
The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (The Center) has been named a Nursing Center of Excellence by the Nurses’ Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). In addition, the Center also earned the Center of Excellence in Laboratory Learning (CELL) classification: the first in the country to have earned this designation. These elite certifications assure patients that the Center’s registered nurses and nurse practitioners are highly experienced in reproductive endocrinology nursing, and that the embryologists in the laboratory have completed the most advanced continuing medical education.
Laboratory CELL Designation
The CELL designation is for laboratories that have a minimum of 50% of their embryologists complete and pass the ASRM airLearning Embryology Certificate. Currently The Center is the only fertility practice out of about 450 to achieve this distinction.
“Our embryologists are more than lab technicians–they are true scientists. The ASRM airLearning Embryology Certificate course was very comprehensive and allowed our embryology team to more deeply explore and understand the science behind what we do every day. This kind of knowledge is power: scientific power we can translate into great clinical outcomes for our patients,” stated Alison Bartolucci, PhD, HCLD, Laboratory Director. “We are very proud of the enthusiasm and commitment the entire embryology team brought to achieving this goal. The threshold was 50% and, in the end, we achieved almost 90% of the IVF lab team earning their CELL certificates.”
Nursing Center of Excellence Designation
A fertility center may achieve the Nursing Center of Excellence designation if at least 50 percent of the practice’s registered nurses and/or nurse practitioners are experienced in reproductive endocrinology nursing and have completed additional training through ASRM. Of the approximately 450 fertility practices in the U.S., there are only 57 fertility programs with this designation.
“Our nurses play a key role in providing compassionate, comprehensive care. Their pursuit of continuing education demonstrates a deep commitment to their patients, the Center, and the field of reproductive medicine nursing,” said Maureen Rescildo, Director, Clinical Operations. “Achieving this designation took an incredible amount of energy and time: time that probably would have not been available if not for our shut down during the COVID crisis. This is truly an example of making lemonade out of lemons. The Center is extremely proud to have received this recognition.”
These acknowledgements recognize the Center as an organization committed to advanced continuing education for our expert and dedicated staff and positions the Center among the nation’s most learned family building programs.
About The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services
The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services has grown to be the largest in the state and one of the most successful family building programs in the country, responsible for the births of over 15,000 babies. Started in 1984, the Center has grown to include over 100 full and part time staff members. The Center offers many advanced techniques to help patients achieve successful pregnancies and has several office locations throughout the state of Connecticut, including Farmington, Hartford, New London and Branford. The Center is an academic affiliate of UConn School of Medicine. For more information about the Center, visit www.uconnfertility.com.