Meet The Team

          Dr. Nick Cataldo is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist. A native of New Jersey, Dr. Cataldo received undergraduate education at Harvard, earned a Master’s degree in Biochemistry at Berkeley, and then attended medical school in the Harvard–MIT Program in Health Science and Technology.  He did his internship in internal medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, then went back to California for residency in Obstetrics–Gynecology at Stanford University and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology – Infertility (REI) at the University of California -- San Francisco, then practiced reproductive medicine at Stanford.  After a move to Birmingham in 2005, Dr. Nick received a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2014.  Dr. Cataldo’s career has been informed by a passion for promoting equitable access to reproductive care, focusing on helping patients who have financial and other socio-economic barriers to accessing gynecologic and reproductive services.  Along with Dr. Hammond and Ms. Ray, he has analyzed, published, and presented data on the successful use of INVOcell® to improve access to advanced fertility care.

          Dr. Cataldo has three adult sons and two adorable rescue cats and is happily married to Dr. Karen Hammond. Their free time includes gardening, travel, wine, family and reading.

          Dr. Karen Hammond, a board-certified Nurse Practitioner, is a native of Birmingham.  She earned her three degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has practiced in reproductive endocrinology and infertility for more than 35 years.  A recognized leader in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, she has lectured at numerous local, state, national, and international nursing and medical meetings; has received numerous awards for clinical, research, and professional service; and has published extensively in clinical literature. She has worked with fertility advocacy nonprofit organizations for more than three decades. Her dedication and love for her patients is immeasurable.  In 2018, she established a unique Affordable IVF program to increase access to care for patients needing advanced fertility treatment that has drawn patients to her practice from across the country who have deemed her Fertility Fairy Godmother. 

          Dr. Hammond is happily married to Dr. Nicholas Cataldo.  She has three adult stepsons and two adorable rescue cats.  She enjoys family time, gardening, cooking, wine, and travel.

          Lisa Ray is a nationally known and respected embryologist who earned her Master’s in Reproductive Physiology from Southern Illinois University.  She is certified as a Technical Supervisor in both Embryology and Andrology as well as an Embryology Lab Director (ELD), and she has contributed to this field for almost 30 years.  She owns and manages ART Labs Unlimited, an IVF Laboratory consulting business.  She is currently the Laboratory Director/ Technical Supervisor for several programs across the United States.  She prides herself and her staff on long-term relationships with both staff and patients.  She attributes much of her success to creating a well-rounded experience for her patients and the healthcare team.  She is dedicated to achieving high success rates using innovative technology and a team mentality. 

          Ms. Ray has two awesome young adult daughters.  She is a foodie who enjoys family, traveling, outdoor activities, and music.