I asked single mothers by choice on the local listserve to weigh in with their opinions. And here's what we got:

• If she didn't like Erickson's group (abbott) she would not like the UofM group, (Nagel/Demario) so I would not suggest them. Erickson's group does run out of Lilydale also with Dr. Malo, she might like that better although it is the same practice. would she like Stassert? in Woodbury I think? Those are the big 4 in the Twin Cities, I am sure there are others but those are the most common here. Not sure what Mayo is doing but I know there is a group there.
• I think the world of Corfman (who helped her conceive after many, many cycles with other doctors).
• I didn't work with Lisa Erickson herself, but I was VERY happy with the attention I got from her group, Center for Reproductive Medicine. However, I was mostly out at the Lilydale office which is much smaller. I did occasionally have blood draws and u/s at the Mpls clinic, and the vibe there was much different because it is a much larger facility. More patients in and out and less personal attention. If that is your friend's complaint about Lisa Erickson's group, she may like working with Dr. Malo at Lilydale better. I loved the personal attention there and the fact that all the nurses remembered me and seemed to be cheering me on. Plus, they were great at helping me find ways to cut costs.
• I absolutely love(d) Dr. Stassart! I saw him in Woodbury. He is not only brilliant, but very caring.
• I also liked Dr Stassart at RMIA in Woodbury. He was easy to talk to and explained things well. I liked Dr Malo's bedside manner and the smaller clinic at CRM in Lilydale, but I was unable to get a follow-up appt to discuss alternate treatment options in (what I felt was) a reasonable timeframe due to his patient load. So I switched to Dr Kunick at CRM in the Mpls office. I felt like he knew his stuff and listened to what I was saying but he was far less warm and fuzzy. A lot depends on your own personality and your timeframe.
• I also like Dr. Kuneck at CRM. When I went to see him and was "fact finding" at that point he laid things out well for me. It really helped me to make an informed decision. I had and still have confidence in him. The staff (who you see the most) are very skilled. That to me was very important. (I am a Nurse Practitioner so I do feel like I can assess clinical knowledge and. Skill from the inside). Was he warm and fuzzy, not too much, but that was less important to me. I agree, it had to do with what works for your comfort.
• I agree about RMIA. the nurses do a lot of the scans, but they are incredibly caring and you know they are pulling for you. When I got pg this spring, everyone was so thrilled for me, and when there was no heartbeat at my u/s, the nurse cried with me. As far as convenience, RMIA is great - they open at 6:30am, so I was able to get all of my ultrasounds and blood work done first thing in the morning and had to take very little time off of work.
• I also used Dr. Kuneck at CRM - he is professional, thorough, matter of fact and good at providing data, options, facts and figures. Great for an analytical person. He is also well known for being the most conservative in the practice in terms of his recommendations post IUI or IVF - i.e. more likely to keep you on progesterone, do an extra ultrasound, or limit activity.

Dr. Erickson, for one, had mixed reviews from women. Others not quoted here thought she seemed judgmental about single parenting, others said she was in support and thorough. Do understand the ingredients you might be bringing into the process, to help you find the clinic that works for you.

Do you need warm and fuzzy? Or want the scientific approach that might seem less warm? Do you want a place where everyone knows you and your story? Or do you not mind being an anonymous patient who sees different nurses each time who don't realize you don't have a husband?

In the impersonality of New York City, where I was having my first child, I felt incredibly nurtured by my Dr. Eric Wahl and his assistant Christine. I ended up loving the small office experience much more than I did the larger one in Minneapolis for my second child. My local doctor was great at education. My New York City doctor was great at making me feel not so vulnerable.

Use these reviews to help you choose the fertility doctor who might be right for you.

-- Mikki