First Fertility, one of the largest fertility networks in the United States announced yesterday that Alison Bartolucci, Ph.D., HCLD has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer, furthering the company’s mission to exceed the standard of fertility care by providing compassionate, customized services with the highest quality of innovative and evidence-based reproductive technology and treatments.
One of the most critical components of helping our patients achieve a successful, healthy pregnancy can be attributed to the advanced technology and procedures practiced in the laboratory. In her role as the First Fertility Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Bartolucci will lead embryology, andrology, and endocrinology lab initiatives across the First Fertility network focused on measuring and improving pregnancy outcomes and advancing scientific research, as well as compliance and risk management. This leadership role demonstrates First Fertility’s commitment to the laboratories in its network and the scientists and care teams who deliver the highest standard of care in these sensitive environments.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in clinical embryology, oocyte development research, and clinical laboratory operations, Dr. Bartolucci brings a wealth of expertise and a long-standing history of delivering exceptional patient outcomes to her new role at First Fertility. In her prior roles, Dr. Bartolucci has served the past 11 years as Operational Lab Director and the High Complexity Laboratory Director of The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, a First Fertility Center of Excellence, and an academic affiliate of the Uconn School of Medicine. In addition to her leadership in the labs at The Center, Dr. Bartolucci has served as the Director of Laboratory Integration and Advancement and Chair of the Lab Advisory Board for First Fertility since 2021 where she oversaw network clinical laboratory operations, patient outcomes, and quality assurance.
Known as a committed academic and researcher, Dr. Bartolucci is also an Assistant Professor of OB/GYN and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut Medical School, where she participates in the training and research activities of medical students, OB/GYN residents, REI Fellows, and Ph.D. candidates. She is the author of several abstracts and publications and has presented nationally on her oocyte and embryo research as well as the critical components of running an effective and successful ART laboratory. Most recently, Dr. Bartolucci is part of a leadership task force for the College of Reproductive Biologists where she will be leading and speaking at their first conference for laboratory leaders this August. Dr. Bartolucci has served on the executive council for the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) as well as the Society for Reproductive Biologists (SRBT). She is currently on the SART membership committee for which she will be chairperson in 2025. She received her Ph.D. in 2019 in Reproductive Clinical Science from Eastern Virginia Medical School where she also received a Master of Science in Clinical Embryology and Andrology in 2005.
“This appointment marks a significant step forward for the First Fertility network in demonstrating our commitment to our patients, clinicians, and the advancement of reproductive medicine,” said Cara Reymann, Chief Executive Officer. “We are especially proud to see Alison advance to this role after developing her career as an embryologist and High Complexity Laboratory Director at our partner site, the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services over the last 11 years.”
“I know firsthand the unprecedented commitment and service that First Fertility offers to their clinicians, clients, and patients,” Dr. Bartolucci expressed. “I am beyond excited and honored to continue working with this organization in my new role as Chief Scientific Officer. Together, we will break new ground, foster innovation and exceed industry standards for laboratory excellence, outcomes, and reproductive care.”
“As the Operational Lab director at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services for the past eleven years, Dr. Bartolucci has played a key role in elevating our program to the highest level for the benefit of our patients,” said Dr. Claudio Benadiva, Medical Director, and lead physician for The Center. “I’m delighted that Alison has accepted the position of Chief Scientific Officer for First Fertility. Her expertise, research experience, and academic commitment will be instrumental in positioning the First Fertility network as a national leader in our field.”
