Interview With Dr. Carter Owen From The LGBTQ+-Friendly CCRM Fertility Clinic

Founded in 1987 by Dr. William Schoolcraft, CCRM Fertility Clinic is dedicated to making an impact within the medical and fertility industries. The clinics, which have highly successful treatment rates, assist many families with the resources to happily pursue the lifelong gift of raising a family. 

For families interested in a valuable consultation, CCRM Fertility considers themselves a great option for IVF, egg freezing, or egg donation. Family-building options for LGBT+ couples have only advanced throughout the years and at CCRM, specialists value educating families on their journey to becoming parents with prime information and support for treatments.

With 11 North American sites, 40+ doctors, 22 PhDs, and 560 employees, the CCRM network provides meaningful world-class treatment. Focusing on core scientific advances is what sets the clinic apart from many others. CCRM is committed to investing in advanced technology and successful scientific techniques to provide families with the results they dream of. 

CCRM professionals are highly skilled and passionate about changing lives. Dr. Carter Owen can attest to CCRM being highly inspirational and effective for LGBT+ families. Their journey as a specialist at CCRM has been a meaningful one and they were delighted to share a few of their kind words with us.

How has being on the CCRM team influenced you as a healthcare specialist?

I tell everyone that I have hit the jackpot on jobs by being a CCRM doctor. CCRM has always been known for our state-of-the-art embryology lab and preimplantation genetics (PGT) lab. I get to focus on taking care of my patients while partnering with arguably the best embryology lab and the best PGT lab in the world. My job is very fulfilling.

How is it specializing with LGBT+ patients?

I take care of any patient needing family building including my LGBTQ+ patients. I do openly share that I am part of the LGBTQ+ community and that my wife and I conceived our two sons via donor sperm insemination. I have many patients that prefer to work with an LGBTQ+ provider. I love supporting my LGBTQ+ patients along their journey.

What is most inspiring as an LGBTQ+ specialist?

Even as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, my patients teach me new things every day that make me a better doctor.

What is the heart of CCRM Fertility? 

We are not an infertility clinic. We are a family-building clinic. It is not if we can help you build your family—it is how.

How does CCRM set itself apart from other fertility facilities?

I can tell you that CCRM strives to be the most welcoming fertility network for the LGBTQ+ community. I know what it is like to be in a clinic where you are being retrofitted into a heteronormative infertility care model—everything from counseling to tests and treatments.

As an LGBTQ+ individual, we want to be seen and understood with our own unique family-building journey honored. At CCRM, this is our goal for the experience of our LGBTQ+ patients. In addition, patients can expect excellent outcomes at CCRM. We have always been known for our science with our state-of-the-art embryology lab and preimplantation genetics (PGT) lab.

What would you share with LGBT+ families interested in fertility treatments?

Find a supportive clinic and doctor. If you choose to pursue IVF, the most important choice that you will make is your embryology lab—who handles the eggs, sperm, and embryos. Choose the best science. Educate yourself. Keep an eye out for our free CCRM educational seminars that are hosted online. I also authored a comprehensive LGBTQ+ family building online resource—navigate to store.patientapps.com/IVF and click on “LGTBQ+ Family Building.”

 Would you like to share a success story from an LGBT+ family under CCRM treatment?

It is difficult to choose. I have many amazing and inspiring patients from the LGBTQ+ community that have reminded me why I love my job.

Why is it important for CCRM to challenge and detach from the health disparities BIPOC or LGBT+ people typically face in health care?

CCRM has always been known for our science. As we have grown from one clinic to an international fertility network, we are working to lead on multiple fronts including LGBTQ+/BIPOC fertility care. These disparities exist and we want to be part of the positive change.

What does it mean for you to be able to help and connect with LGBT+ and BIPOC patients?

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and as someone who experienced being retrofitted into a heteronormative fertility care model, it could not be more important to me to help my own patients have the experience that I did not have.

In my fellowship at the National Institutes for Health, I was mentored by some of the leading researchers who were highlighting the disparities being faced by BIPOC patients in fertility medicine. It is something that has been top of mind for me due to these experiences in fellowship.  Working in the D.C. metro area, I have a diverse population of patients for which I am grateful.