Dr Kort was very involved with managing my cycles even though the clinic rotates providers...secondary infertility...often messaged after appointments to provide his impressions and encouragement...2 cancelled transfer cycles and one cancelled retrieval due to early ovulation...Standard stim cycle
Strengths [of RMA of Northern California]: definitely all the clinical providers, all patient care...communication...medical staff were so supportive and skilled...Weakness: the finance team was a mess...were overcharged $12k ...took the financial staff almost EIGHT MONTHS to refund us
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
We came to RMA with secondary infertility. Dr Kort was very involved with managing my cycles even though the clinic rotates providers. Though I saw many providers in person, Dr Kort often messaged after appointments to provide his impressions and encouragement.
We had a few unforeseeable setbacks including 2 cancelled transfer cycles and one cancelled retrieval due to early ovulation. Dr Kort always kept us in the loop on next steps and realistic expectations, so we weren’t left wondering.
In reference to his clinical skills, the one retrieval (out of 2) and one transfer (out of 2) that he personally performed were the most successful, resulting in more embryos and an ongoing (second trimester currently) pregnancy.
It was always reassuring to us whenever we felt down and anxious about treatment, that we had such an excellent doctor overseeing our care.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Dr Kort is so responsive and knowledgeable.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kirk always made sure to call with any concerning findings, and whenever things went wrong, I could hear sympathy in his voice. He was available at all hours. Once, I messaged with a problem at night on the eve of what was supposed to be my first transfer with a problem that led to it being cancelled and to my surprise he called within 5 minutes in the evening after business hours.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Standard stim cycle:
1 week estrace priming, then
150 gonal f, 75 menopur
Estrace and clomid for first 5 stim days for suppression (the clomid was added for the second and third retrieval cycles
Ganirelix as antagonist after 7 days
Pregnyl trigger
Conventional fertilization
1st cycle: 7 follicles-7 eggs- 3 fertilized- 3 blasts- 3 euploid
2nd cycle: cancelled due to ovulation through Ganirelix day of trigger
3rd cycle: 11 follicles-11 eggs- 9 fertilized- 7 blasts- 6 euploid
First transfer cycle failed with no implantation after modified medicated (progesterone suppositories and trigger after estrace for suppression)
Second cycle cancelled due to early ovulation through estrace
Third cycle was a medicated protocol- 1ml progesterone IM injection per day, successful
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Sierra)
Everyone was very appropriate and compassionate, especially Tina. There was one issue where a nurse failed to recognize my iv wasn’t patent before an egg retrieval, but the anesthesiologist quickly resolved it.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Strengths: definitely all the clinical providers, all patient care. The communication on patent care was excellent and the medical staff were so supportive and skilled.
Weakness: the finance team was a mess. We were overcharged $12k and it took the financial staff almost EIGHT MONTHS to refund us as we had to tread water, drawing out of our retirement accounts to cover living costs.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
$16k/retrieval
Transfers were covered so not sure
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Only single embryos due to risk of multiple pregnancy
Jonathan Kort is a young doctor early in his career...was less authoritative than I would have liked him to be...was just there to administer the meds, execute the procedures, and hope for the best...had some challenging communication moments...he got very defensive and stormed out of the room (slamming the door behind him)
[RMA of Northern California] were welcoming and respectful...did not have LGBTQ+-specific expertise...We used donor sperm and it was easy to get it to the clinic...Strengths...App allows for near real-time communication...take (non-fertility) insurance for IUI...Drawbacks: - Billing practices...Inexperienced doctors
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Jonathan Kort is a young doctor early in his career (at the time of my treatment, he had just completed his fellowship a couple years prior). I originally thought that his recent training would mean that he had knowledge of the latest research and interventions -- and maybe he did. But in the future, I will seek out doctors with more experience.
Dr. Kort was less authoritative than I would have liked him to be. His answer was often along the lines of "it's up to you." Compared to other doctors, he didn't have a perspective on what would maximize my chances. It felt like he was just there to administer the meds, execute the procedures, and hope for the best.
The main reason I would never recommend Dr. Kort is that we had some challenging communication moments. For example, after a disappointing egg retrieval, I pushed him on why the doctors had not been more closely tracking my fertility during a year of IUIs. Though I was calm and diplomatic, he got very defensive and stormed out of the room (slamming the door behind him). I will give him credit for apologizing for his unprofessional behavior -- he called me later that day to apologize. But even the fact that his behavior warranted an apology is evidence of how inappropriate it was.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Do not see Jonathan Kort.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Like a human: I appreciated that the doctors were always available to answer questions and respond to needs on the app. There was rarely a wait and visiting the clinic was easy.
Like a number: After visiting subsequent doctors, I came to realize that RMA used a protocol on me that in my opinion was not appropriate for my age or circumstances. Two other doctors were visibly shocked when I told them I was on 300 units FSH for my first retrieval. Looking back, it felt like they didn't really personalize the protocols. And this made me feel like a number.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
As I mentioned in response to another question, I am not sure there was much strategy to my treatment, and a rationale was never shared with me.
I did five IUIs, one primed by Clomid and four by Letrozole.
My first egg retrieval, they used 300 units FSH and two vials of Menopur. Used Ganerelix during the course of the cycle and triggered w 40 units Lupron (twice) and 10,0000 units Novarel (once). We got two eggs and neither became embryos.
The second time, I was primed with Clomid (2 tablets of 50mg) for 5 nights, 50 units of Omnitrope every other night; 2 days in began 150 units of Gonal F, 150 units of Menopur. My aim was to do an IUI with injectables, but there were too many follicles to risk that (other doctors later told me this dose was too high for an IUI), so we ended up doing an egg retrieval. We got 12 eggs, 2 became embryos, and both were genetically abnormal.
How competent was Jonathan Kort at LGBTQ+ care?
All of the doctors were respectful, but they were by no means experts in LGBTQ+ care (I know from experience, as we later had care from an expert at another clinic, and the difference was stark). Someone told me that there are two approaches fertility clinics take to LGBTQ+ patients -- they either assume you are fertile and just need help with the logistics, or they treat you like you have diagnosed infertility when you do not. For the first year of my care at RMA, the doctors told me they believed I would get pregnant, that we just needed to get the right egg, that I was fertile. That I had time (I was 40). After some very disappointing results from a first egg retrieval, I pushed to check my AMH, which hadn't been checked in 15 months (other clinics check it multiple times annually for a patient 40+). It had plummeted in that time, from 2.5 to 0.9. I resent that the doctors did not approach my case with more urgency, given my age.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California.
The nurses were always available to guide me through meds, consolidate vials, or whatever else I needed.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Strengths:
- App allows for near real-time communication with doctors and nurses
- Rarely a wait time in Palo Alto office
- They take (non-fertility) insurance for IUI, which is very hard to find
Drawbacks:
- Billing practices. We realized they were sending us overlapping bills, which included items from past bills. We are lucky we caught it when we did; we had overpaid nearly $700 (and that amount would have increased had we not caught it). They also billed us for embryo biopsy and freezing for a cycle we had no embryos, which was irresponsible and also added insult to injury.
- Inexperienced doctors. The doctors who founded this clinic met in a fellowship just a handful of years ago. Fertility medicine is not a certain science, so it helps to have a doctor who has a deeply informed perspective from many years practicing.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
IUI cycles covered by insurance: $300
IVF cycles/no coverage: ~$20,000
How competent was RMA of Northern California at LGBTQ+ care?
They were welcoming and respectful, but did not have LGBTQ+-specific expertise.
Describe your experience using 3rd party reproduction (donor eggs, donor sperm, or gestational carrier) at RMA of Northern California.
The coordination was fine. We used donor sperm and it was easy to get it to the clinic.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Failed to call with results
Failed to order appropriate test
Provided conflicting information
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
Things that went wrong:
- Overbilled multiple times and had to advocate to have charges removed and refunded
- Not sufficient attention or care to my age and declining fertility (they were optimistic treatment would work for us, never discussed likelihood and actually hesitated to answer the question when asked directly, did not manage our expectations that this might not actually work).
- Unprofessional communications, when faced with a conflict with a client (as mentioned elsewhere, I asked Dr. Kort hard questions about my care protocol and he got defensive and stormed out of the room, later apologizing because the inappropriateness was that blantant)
Dr. Jonathan Kort's exceptional care from the initial consultation to egg retrieval...He called me the evening before my appointment just to check in with me about how I was feeling...explaining every single part of IVF to us—even going so far as to draw scientific diagrams on a whiteboard...For both egg retrievals, I was on around 450 units of Gonal F...I had 40 eggs total (from two egg retrievals), 37 of which were mature, 34 were fertilized, and 12 made it to the blastocyst stage.
The nursing staff at RMA is just incredible. From doing quick and painless blood draws to providing clear explanations and demonstrations of preparing and administering injections...My insurance covered nearly everything except for egg freezing, ICSI, and genetic testing. We paid about $10k out of pocket for each retrieval...you will always get to speak to an actual person—same day...They use an app called Spruce to communicate
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Kort. From the minute my husband and I walked into his office, we knew we were in the most capable hands. Dr. Kort spent so much time, more than should be expected of a doctor, explaining every single part of IVF to us—even going so far as to draw scientific diagrams on a whiteboard, which my husband (a scientist) appreciated. He personally called me several times throughout IVF just to ask me how I was feeling. He was available to directly to every single day, either through phone call or text. It actually made me worry about his work/life balance—I've never met anyone so completely dedicated to his work. One of the things I appreciated most about him was that he listens to and believes women about their experiences; when I told him my fears about pain and trauma from all the parts of IVF (the needles, the egg retrieval, the HSG test, etc.) he listened with compassion and ensured I wouldn't ever be too uncomfortable—and I wasn't! I had a relatively pain-free IVF if you can believe it. He was there for us, really and truly there for us, every step of the way, from consultation to the creation of our embryos, and the eternal wait for the results from the genetic testing of our embryos. We ended up getting over 40 eggs, 3 of which turned into healthy high-grade embryos that are now frozen for implantation post-pandemic. We can't wait to continue our parenthood journey with Dr. Kort once it's safe again.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Know you are in the best hands possible. Trust, relax, and rejoice about the path you're about to embark on. IVF doesn't have to be scary and stressful.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but the high enough praise for Dr. Kort's exceptional care from the initial consultation to egg retrieval. Of the many wonderful anecdotes I have to share, one stands out in my mind—I had heard that the HSG test was horrifically painful and so was terrified to have the procedure, which Dr. Kort knew. He called me the evening before my appointment just to check in with me about how I was feeling and assure me that if I was in pain at any point during the procedure, we would stop and find another way forward. That call helped me to trust him and dispel my anxiety. Despite my blocked tubes, the HSG ended up not being that painful because he was very gentle and quick during the procedure.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
For both egg retrievals, I was on around 450 units of Gonal F, 20 units of low dose HCG and 1 vial of Centrotide for around 9 days before my trigger shot, which was Lupron both times. We used ICSI to inject sperm into the eggs. I had 40 eggs total (from two egg retrievals), 37 of which were mature, 34 were fertilized, and 12 made it to the blastocyst stage. Of those, we ended up with 3 healthy (determined by genetic testing) high-grade embryos to freeze for implantation. I'm very happy with these results!
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
The nursing staff at RMA is just incredible. From doing quick and painless blood draws to providing clear explanations and demonstrations of preparing and administering injections, the level of communication, attention, and care was outstanding. During my HSG test, one nurse held my hand throughout, keeping my attention directed at her rather than on the uncomfortable procedure, distracting me with light conversation. She was an angel.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA Northern California is a state of the art clinic with world-class doctors and staff. They are highly communicative—you will always get to speak to an actual person—same day. They took care of dealing with my insurance, which was a huge relief, and were completely transparent about billing. There were no hidden fees or financial surprises afterward. They have plenty of nurses so wait times are never too bad, and very flexible hours to accommodate work schedules. They use an app called Spruce to communicate, which was one of the things I loved the most about being an RMA patient. Any question, no matter how small, is answered right away.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
Monitoring appointments at RMA were an efficient well-oiled machine—easy in, easy out.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
My insurance covered nearly everything except for egg freezing, ICSI, and genetic testing. We paid about $10k out of pocket for each retrieval.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I have not had embryo transfer yet; it was canceled due to COVID-19.
I absolutely love Dr. Kort. From the moment we started working with him he's been kind, supportive, and compassionate. He clearly explained everything and I was never left with unanswered questions. I have my beautiful, healthy, and amazing, 6-month-old because of Dr. Kort and RMA and I'll forever be grateful...had a strong preference for single embryo transfer because there was no reason for us to transfer more than one. We completely agreed with this approach.
All of the RN’s and phlebotomists at RMA are wonderful. They’re so nice and helpful and easy to work with. I needed a quick prescription and they called it in instantly and I didn’t have to wait. All of my monitoring appointments and blood draws were quick and easy. They were also super responsive via Spruce and that made everything so much easier...Dr. Kort was always so patient and respectful. He listened to my concerns and my goals and created a plan for us. He made me feel supported and listened to.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I absolutely love Dr. Kort. From the moment we started working with him he's been kind, supportive, and compassionate. He clearly explained everything and I was never left with unanswered questions. I have my beautiful, healthy, and amazing, 6-month-old because of Dr. Kort and RMA and I'll forever be grateful!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
He’s always happy to answer questions so don’t be afraid to ask questions and get answers
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort was always so patient and respectful. He listened to my concerns and my goals and created a plan for us. He made me feel supported and listened to.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We did an antagonist protocol for my retrieval:
- 300 iu of follistim
- 150 iu of menopur
- 1 prefilled syringe of ganirelix
- pregnyl for trigger
Embryo Transfer:
PIO
Estrace
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristen Montesinos )
All of the RN’s and phlebotomists at RMA are wonderful. They’re so nice and helpful and easy to work with. I needed a quick prescription and they called it in instantly and I didn’t have to wait. All of my monitoring appointments and blood draws were quick and easy. They were also super responsive via Spruce and that made everything so much easier!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Pros:
- The staff is really nice, helpful and have great bedside manner.
- the member communication app, Spruce, is amazing. They respond to questions quickly and easily and they provide you results quickly within the app.
- Dr. Kort is primary doctor, but I interact with all of the doctors and they’re all really great.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think it’s a silly question. They don’t treat you like any question is silly or unwarranted.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
An egg retrieval is around $15k
Frozen transfer is around $4k
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Kort had a strong preference for single embryo transfer because there was no reason for us to transfer more than one. We completely agreed with this approach.
Dr. Kort was very compassionate and very knowledgeable. The first consultation appointment was very informative and he explained to us about the whole procedure and was very optimistic on our situation. He answered all of questions and has very good bedside manners...[he] only recommends eSet because of the complication of transferring two embryos at the same time...I didn't see my primary doctor for all my visits
The wait time [at RMA] was never more than 15 minutes. There were maybe once or twice when I had to wait a little longer but it wasn't too bad. I didn't see my primary doctor for all my visits but Dr. Morin and Dr. Kaser were very nice and knowledgeable as well. Other nurse practitioners that I saw for my monitoring appointments especially, Doris, was very nice and upbeat. The clinic opens 7 days a week and 365 days so that was a plus. The only thing that might be hassle would probably be the parking. It's hard to find street parking and it's expensive. But there's a parking lot across the street that I always park, they charge $3 for every 15 minutes.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort was very compassionate and very knowledgeable. The first consultation appointment was very informative and he explained to us about the whole procedure and was very optimistic on our situation. He answered all of questions and has very good bedside manners.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Ask a lot of questions and also ask for blood results. I noticed they don't have a portal to look at blood results where you can refer back to.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
All my appointments were very thorough and any questions I had were answered. I love using the Spruce app because I was able to communicate through an texting app which I prefer than being on the phone.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
150 IU of Menopur, 150 IU of Follistim, added Garnirelix on the 5th day. And then triggered with Leuprolide.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Liz)
Liz was my primary nurse and she was very responsive and has excellent communications. Very thorough about explaining and answering my questions. My prescriptions and dosage were explained very clearly.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The wait time was never more than 15 minutes. There were maybe once or twice when I had to wait a little longer but it wasn't too bad. I didn't see my primary doctor for all my visits but Dr. Morin and Dr. Kaser were very nice and knowledgeable as well. Other nurse practitioners that I saw for my monitoring appointments especially, Doris, was very nice and upbeat. The clinic opens 7 days a week and 365 days so that was a plus. The only thing that might be hassle would probably be the parking. It's hard to find street parking and it's expensive. But there's a parking lot across the street that I always park, they charge $3 for every 15 minutes.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
I had insurance coverage for IVF and medications so I paid around maybe 7k. and also 3k for PGT testing.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Kort only recommends eSet because of the complication of transferring two embryos at the same time.
Dr Kort is a fantastic. He is knowledgeable, professional, genuine and super kind. He will go above and beyond to ensure the best care is given to you! I love the fact that he does not recommend unnecessary tests. He did NOT push me towards moving forward with any services at my consultation and truly felt that he wants the best for patients. He is AVAILABLE ALWAYS for you - which made me feel super secure. Exceptional bedside manner
Scheduling [at RMA of Northern California] is very easy if you call SF number. PA can be better. Generally they do not call back. It is hard to get hold of them Front desk at SF is very responsive and helpful. I would love to mention [the front desk staff] was amazing in getting me on the wait list and helping me get an earlier apt. Wonderful staff overall...
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Kort is a fantastic. He is knowledgeable, professional, genuine and super kind. He will go above and beyond to ensure the best care is given to you! I love the fact that he does not recommend unnecessary tests. He did NOT push me towards moving forward with any services at my consultation and truly felt that he wants the best for patients. He is AVAILABLE ALWAYS for you - which made me feel super secure. Exceptional bedside manner. I wish i could give him more than 10/10!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Just trust him. He will take care of you! Don't hesitate to ask questions!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but great regards for Dr. Kort. He is super compassionate. I was meeting 8 other doctors (in parallel) after my terrible experience at CCRM. Right after my consultation I knew I was in the most capable hands.
Dr. Kort had read my previous reports ahead of my apt and had anticipated questions I may have. I consulted to get answers for my RPL and if its a good idea to freeze embryos. He recommended that I don't "NEED" IVF but its a good idea given the RPL and for peace of mind. He spent time, explaining IVF process in detail on a whiteboard which I appreciated the most! He is AVAILABLE to answer any question and i have received responses pretty much right away or in less than an hour (at max)
He checked upon me multiple times (asking how i was feeling) post egg retrieval and gave updates on the embryos( Day1, 5,6 and 7) . It actually made think about his passion and dedication towards his work. He is a great listener (which is really required). I had a good egg retrieval process (not a lot of pain/bloat etc). He took utmost care to ensure i was not over stimulated. I loved the way he kept tracking to adjust protocol. I am looking forward to my transfer cycle with him!
Just an amazing doctor!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Scheduling is very easy if you call SF number. PA can be better. Generally they do not call back. It is hard to get hold of them Front desk at SF is very responsive and helpful. I would love to mention Brittany was amazing in getting me on the wait list and helping me get an earlier apt. Wonderful staff overall.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
I had insurance coverage. I spent roughly 1000 bucks out of pocket
He [Dr. Kort] has an incredible gift to both make people feel they are collaborating with him while also remaining 10 steps ahead-exactly what an RE should be. His deep sensitivity, responsiveness, thoroughness, attentiveness, and patience while also being direct redefines patient care. He offers more than just good "bed-side manner" He is involved and engaged as if this were his life-there is nothing about him that is on the sidelines...
The clinic [RMA of Northern California] runs smoothly and people are friendly and there is an inclusive feel/environment. It is conveniently located. Sometimes, blood draws were challenging and I had to be poked multiple times. We were always seen right away and didn't have to wait long...The whole team is wonderful-Dr. Kort is so available however, I felt like most communicating happen directly with him...
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
We were expecting to get pregnant, we weren't expecting to have our lives deeply impacted-and possibly forever changed- by his care. He is completely revolutionizing doctor-patient care with his deep level of involvement, commitment to and passion for having you feel both cared for AND achieving a desired outcome. He is the therapist of REs: empathic, attuned, warm, calm but also direct, honest and firm when needed. Like his colleagues, he is smart, but there is something unique about him-he knows reproductive endocrinology as if it's in his DNA. He was born to do this work. Endlessly patient, he will explain a difficult concept so clearly, with such precision, really offering an experience of true collaboration....however, he is always many steps ahead. We were a bit hesitant at first because he doesn't have the same experience as some of the other REs we had worked with (perhaps a strength) but that was put to rest right away--clearly an expert, possibly a genius.
Even before starting a cycle with him, he was offering ideas that other REs hadn't thought of or taken the time to notice (Using a trigger shot to stop an estrogen producing cyst vs. staying on suppression meds for months that weren't effective). He is quick to think of solutions when cases get difficult, like running an RPL panel while still pregnant to see if levels are elevated (when levels weren't elevated previously) so he can use those results to make improvements for the next transfer cycle. My OBGYN refused to run the panel stating "we never run those while still pregnant" One level came back slightly elevated-to my surprise- and that small detail changes the next transfer protocol. Most importantly, he stressed a re-biopsy before transfer when my previous RE didn't think it was necessary and it turned up positive requiring a lot more treatment before we could move forward with our transfer.This is a testament to his thoroughness.
As I write this, Dr. Kort is still communicating with me--extremely responsive-- (even though I am not in an active treatment cycle) really offering support during a difficult time. There were countless times when he would call me directly to answer the many questions I had sometimes off hours when we weren't flexible to accommodate his schedule. He consistently fit us in for consultations generously often literally answering questions before asked and easing anxiety-he remembered parts of the treatment plan that even I had forgotten-clearly on top of our plan and giving us such confidence in his expertise. At some point, I was very frustrated that we couldn't move on with our transfer and he was equally frustrated-so in it with us.
Once I called in to speak with a nurse, as I was used to doing in my last clinic-where I never spoke with my RE directly, the nurse wasn't available and within two minutes Dr. Kort had called me back and asked if there was anything HE could do to help. He asked with such authentic humility. This is one of many examples that illustrate his responsiveness and availability.
Our case is a bit complex and we haven't been the easiest patients to work with-a bit over-reactive in moments-emotions (and hormones) running high but Dr. Kort has been so patient, containing, grounding and extremely present when things have fallen apart--going beyond what any other RE would provide.
He will also take into account what other REs have done/said (if in agreement) in order to get the best results-more concerned with your success than his ego.
I have had multiple uterine biopsies and he is very skilled and gentle making that process a little less painful.
When it came down to making very difficult decisions about how to proceed, Dr. Kort was so compassionate while letting us know honestly what he thought was the most efficient way forward.
He is not perfect, still human, you need to, in moments, ask him to be direct. He can get caught with his involvement and passion and say things prematurely (That are still accurate).
All that being said, he will likely be the most incredible physician you will work with in your lifetime and like us, you may end up feeling permanently inspired and changed by his deep humanity-a role model for all of us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Don't worry about burdening him with your questions or concerns, he can handle it. He will match you and can pick up quickly on your style; if you want him to be direct, give an opinion he will do that.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have never felt more respected by a medical professional in my entire life. Dr. Kort honestly felt like family. He has an incredible gift to both make people feel they are collaborating with him while also remaining 10 steps ahead-exactly what an RE should be. His deep sensitivity, responsiveness, thoroughness, attentiveness, and patience while also being direct redefines patient care. He offers more than just good "bed-side manner" He is involved and engaged as if this were his life-there is nothing about him that is on the sidelines. There is no one better.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Estrogen priming
HGH (50 every other day)
Menopur (150)
Gonal-F (300)
I really wanted to add HGH to the protocol.
Resulted in one euploid embryo (age almost 41)
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristen Montesinos, RN)
The whole team is wonderful-Dr. Kort is so available however, I felt like most communicating happen directly with him.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic runs smoothly and people are friendly and there is an inclusive feel/environment. It is conveniently located. Sometimes, blood draws were challenging and I had to be poked multiple times. We were always seen right away and didn't have to wait long.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Insurance covered most-we paid 10%. I think the total including transfer was $22,000 (not including additional ultrasounds and testing).
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I think he prefers single embryo transfer but this was not relevant for us.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Failed to call with results
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
I wasn't told right away about results PGS-A testing results and had to ask. The original protocol left out HGH and I had to ask about that medication and how much to take.
Dr. Kort is incredibly caring, knowledgeable and genuine. It meant a lot he would remember little bits of our conversation from previous appointments. I loved that he didn’t push me towards moving forward with any services at our consult and truly wants the best for his patients. He has great bedside manner (so refreshing!) and kindly answered my endless questions. When I had an injection mishap late on a Sunday night, Dr. Kort got back to me right away on next steps through the Spruce app.
Vicki, Paige and the rest of the team at RMA are incredible. They were so patient dealing with my small veins and answering my numerous questions...Make sure you have your prescription and insurance squared away before your cycle starts so you aren’t panicked about meds arriving in time like I was. When my period started earlier than expected, the RMA team didn’t hesitate to quickly take action and make sure I was set....
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I normally don’t post many reviews, but I felt compelled to review Dr. Kort (the positive reviews aren’t too good to be true!) Dr. Kort feels like a trusted friend with my best interests at heart. He provides concierge-level care and his thoughtful nature soothes any nerves or anxiety you may have. I’m someone who doesn’t do okay with foreign objects in my private area (truly, like I disliked Pap smears so much I *accidentally* went 7 years between them) but Dr. Kort is kind, communicative and compassionate with ultrasounds and all communications. I felt very lucky he did my egg retrieval and I saw him for all but one appointment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Make sure you have your prescription and insurance squared away before your cycle starts so you aren’t panicked about meds arriving in time like I was. When my period started earlier than expected, the RMA team didn’t hesitate to quickly take action and make sure I was set.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is incredibly caring, knowledgeable and genuine. It meant a lot he would remember little bits of our conversation from previous appointments. I loved that he didn’t push me towards moving forward with any services at our consult and truly wants the best for his patients. He has great bedside manner (so refreshing!) and kindly answered my endless questions. When I had an injection mishap late on a Sunday night, Dr. Kort got back to me right away on next steps through the Spruce app. Another time I thought I was missing a medication, I sent a late message (yet again) and was mortified to find I had it all along. Dr. Kort didn’t skip a beat and was a total champ about it! In my check-ups he identified things I should keep an eye on annually that I never would have known about. I’m so incredibly grateful to Dr. Kort and have recommended him/RMA to countless colleagues and friends!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
FSH, Menopur, Cetrotide followed by Lupron trigger
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
Vicki, Paige and the rest of the team at RMA are incredible. They were so patient dealing with my small veins and answering my numerous questions (e.g., no you shouldn't do reformer Pilates during cycle). I apparently asked if I could nap longer after my procedure and they graciously rolled with the punches. Who knew RMA was spa-like in so many ways!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Jena at the front desk and the entire RMA team were so welcoming. They were also very accommodating with my schedule - I was nervous about traveling from the east bay, starting a new job and potentially missing work, but it never was an issue. The appointments were a breeze!
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Dr Kort immediately understood that time was a priority for me and he adjusted to my schedule with the egg retrieval cycle. He even worked around my holiday schedule so we didn't have to cancel personal plans...While explaining the procedures clearly and professionally, Dr Kort also cared about my feelings and my mental well being...I generally received answers to all my questions within 15 minutes even outside business hours. We never had to feel anxious when waiting for fertilization rates or PGT results as we were updated in a timely manner.
There are 2 locations [of RMA of Northern California]. Palo Alto and SF. They offer monitoring appointments in either location. If you have a strong preference to be seen by the same doctor you might need to alternate between the 2 locations. If you prefer to always go to the same location, the doctors are rotating. They only operate in SF. Egg retrieval and transfer are only in SF...[nurse] Responds in a timely manner within 15 minutes via spruce instant messaging system...
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Kort is knowledgeable, professional and kind. His best interest is for us to have not just a healthy pregnancy but also a healthy baby who will grow up to be a healthy human being later on in life. Dr Kort never left us in doubt or in waiting about results at different stages of our egg retrieval cycle or PGT testing. He and his team respond quickly, no question is a bad question, they answered every time I had the smallest concerns. A different clinic put me on a waitlist, that is when I changed to RMA. Dr Kort immediately understood that time was a priority for me and he adjusted to my schedule with the egg retrieval cycle. He even worked around my holiday schedule so we didn't have to cancel personal plans. Despite the successful egg retrieval we ended up conceiving naturally, and Dr Kort was the happiest for us. It is a testimony that they don't look at patients as numbers or mere paying customers. He made sure to monitor my pregnancy hormone levels until my OBGYN was ready to take me on. Dr Kort is still available to me for the next few months via their spruce instant messaging system in case I have any questions. He is a fantastic doctor, and so is his entire team.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Trust Dr Kort, and trust the treatment plan. 1st egg retrieval cycle is a learning experience for both doctors and patients to see how the body responds to the hormones. 2nd cycle he made some personalized adjustments for me which yielded much better results. His best interest is for his patients to have a healthy pregnancy. Trust him.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
While explaining the procedures clearly and professionally, Dr Kort also cared about my feelings and my mental well being. We changed clinics to see RMA as the other clinic put me on a waitlist unannounced. Dr Kort made sure he was always keeping us updated about anything treatment related in a timely manner, so we could make educated decisions. I generally received answers to all my questions within 15 minutes even outside business hours. We never had to feel anxious when waiting for fertilization rates or PGT results as we were updated in a timely manner. We also ended up conceiving naturally, and the clinic and Dr Kort was so happy for us, despite losing a paying patient. OBGYNs typically don't see pregnant women until 8-9 weeks but Dr Kort ensured that RMA confirmed my pregnancy via blood test and monitored my pregnancy hormone levels until I was ready to graduate to my OBGYN. They still offer support via their spruce messaging system for a few more months.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
During my first round of egg retrieval at a different clinic, I had 1 genetically healthy embryo out of 13 eggs retrieved. In my 2nd cycle with Dr Kort I had 3 genetically healthy embryos out of 13 eggs retrieved. Basically ball blastocysts were genetically healthy.
I used gonal f pen, menopur, cetrotide antagonist and Lupron trigger in my first cycle. In my second cycle I had a higher dosage of gonal f and also human growth hormone every other day. The rest was the same.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Kristen Montecinos)
Responds in a timely manner within 15 minutes via spruce instant messaging system. No question was a bad question, like can I take turmeric supplements or is my bruising from injections "normal looking".
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
There are 2 locations. Palo Alto and SF. They offer monitoring appointments in either location. If you have a strong preference to be seen by the same doctor you might need to alternate between the 2 locations. If you prefer to always go to the same location, the doctors are rotating. They only operate in SF. Egg retrieval and transfer are only in SF.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Roughly $30,000 for one round of egg retrieval including hormone injections, human growth hormone, genetic testing of the embryos. We only had to pay the out of pocket responsibility and copay according to our insurance.
He [Dr. Kort] tried so many creative methods when essentially everything failed, and always asked me if I was okay with treatments and listened to my many questions...Dr. Kort is so kind to the extent that he might shy away from being as blunt as necessary (I felt that way, at least - he just doesn't want to scare you with bad news before it's for certain, which is totally understandable). So, don't be afraid to ask hard questions if you want to know all the odds and adversities you could face!...
RMA is hands down an incredible clinic. You're always seen by a physician for your ultrasounds...you're always treated extremely well by literally everyone that works there - from the receptionists to the embryologists. Their texting/telemedicine app Spruce is so handy and easy to use. They message you so promptly and never failed to give me instructions, updates...The nursing/medical assistant staff at RMA is just as incredible as the physicians...
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort cares so much about his patients and you can tell he's just genuinely a very good human. My one "qualm" is that he was a little too optimistic about my case, but frankly, no one could have known the results would be so poor. My case is extremely severe and rare for someone my age, so I do not blame him for being hopeful. He tried so many creative methods when essentially everything failed, and always asked me if I was okay with treatments and listened to my many questions. Being a bit of a smarty-pants myself, I know I am a difficult patient that always wants to understand the what and the how, does maybe a little too much PubMed research on her own, and is always thinking two steps ahead. I appreciate Dr. Kort so much for still treating me with patience and kindness. My friends in medicine jokingly say that I'm basically a physician's worst nightmare with my "know it all" ways, yet Dr. Kort never made me feel that way and always had my best interest at heart.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is so kind to the extent that he might shy away from being as blunt as necessary (I felt that way, at least - he just doesn't want to scare you with bad news before it's for certain, which is totally understandable). So, don't be afraid to ask hard questions if you want to know all the odds and adversities you could face!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort was so kind to me from the get go. I walked into RMA thinking this would be a two week process given my young age (I was 26), and instead, found out I was perimenopausal and basically had ran out of eggs. Dr. Kort is compassionate and really understands the weight of all the bad news he has to share with me when things go wrong (which has been, essentially, all the time). If anything, I feel bad for putting him in a position where he has to consistently tell me things aren't going well, but he never seems to lose his patience with me or give up. I'm so beyond grateful for all that Dr. Kort taught me and the knowledge he brought into my life. Also, my wonderful GYN was one of his instructors during his residency/fellowship and was thrilled when I told her who my RE was. She said he was one of the nicest physicians she's ever trained!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
I have used so many different protocols. Clomid priming, Letrozole priming, high amounts of Gonal F/Menopur, natural retrievals, Omnitrope, etc. My body basically didn't respond to any of them, but that's on me and my genetic condition, not on Dr. Kort.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
The nursing/medical assistant staff at RMA is just as incredible as the physicians. They're SO nice, compassionate, and I feel like they genuinely became my friends. When I went in for my (many) retrievals and procedures, I loved catching up with them, they knew me well and asked about my life. I genuinely feel like part of the RMA family and will miss them so much once I'm no longer a patient.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA is hands down an incredible clinic. You're always seen by a physician for your ultrasounds, and I became basically just as close to Dr. Kaser and Dr. Morin as I did with Kort. They even did some of my retrievals/hysteroscopy, but I never felt uncomfortable or like I was a stranger. My friends who had Dr. Morin as their RE also rave about him, and I can see why. Whenever you go in, you're always treated extremely well by literally everyone that works there - from the receptionists to the embryologists.
Their texting/telemedicine app Spruce is so handy and easy to use. They message you so promptly and never failed to give me instructions, updates, etc. I know I'm a high maintenance patient, so I appreciated that. If Dr. Kort wasn't available, Morin or Kaser would get back to me super quickly, too.
I can't think of any weaknesses, frankly. All the doctors are such hard workers and clearly trying their best with every patient. I can tell they're not just in it for the money, but they truly want to help people build their families. I have sent multiple friends to RMA for egg freezing, and not a single one of them has had a bad experience.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
I had my treatment covered by Progyny, so I'm not aware of the costs.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
We did not get to that point as my one embryo was non-viable, sadly.
Dr. Kort never rushed our appointments and always spent time explaining things to me if I had questions...very compassionate, thorough, and careful. I felt like he always had my best interests in mind, and I trusted his judgment and treatment recommendations. He was also extremely responsive though the Spruce messaging app whenever I had any questions or concerns...would only allow eSET given my age and diagnosis...Antagonist Protocol: Day 1-3: 225iu Gonal F, 1 vial Menopur Day 4-5: 175iu Gonal F, 1 vial Menopur Day 6-8: 175iu Gonal F, 1 vial Menopur, 1 vial Cetrotide Day 9-10: 40 units Lupron This cycle produced 42 eggs (37 mature eggs) and 13 PGS-tested embryos...
They [staff at RMA of Northern California] were easy to contact (all comms handled through the Spruce app) and it was always easy to get an appointment. The only negative I can think of is that you will not see your primary doctor for every appointment, but I still was fine with the other doctors I saw...Monitoring appointments were during a 7-9am walk-in window. It did get very, very busy at certain times and I had to wait 10-20 minutes
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is very compassionate, thorough, and careful. I felt like he always had my best interests in mind, and I trusted his judgment and treatment recommendations. He was also extremely responsive though the Spruce messaging app whenever I had any questions or concerns.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Ask questions, and he'll be happy to spend time answering them. Otherwise he may not bring up every single detail and aspect of your treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort never rushed our appointments and always spent time explaining things to me if I had questions.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Antagonist Protocol:
Day 1-3: 225iu Gonal F, 1 vial Menopur
Day 4-5: 175iu Gonal F, 1 vial Menopur
Day 6-8: 175iu Gonal F, 1 vial Menopur, 1 vial Cetrotide
Day 9-10: 40 units Lupron
This cycle produced 42 eggs (37 mature eggs) and 13 PGS-tested embryos.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
I had no negative interactions with the nursing staff. All the nurses were kind, compassionate, and knowledgable.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
This clinic seemed well-equipped to treat someone with my diagnosis. They were easy to contact (all comms handled through the Spruce app) and it was always easy to get an appointment. The only negative I can think of is that you will not see your primary doctor for every appointment, but I still was fine with the other doctors I saw.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
Monitoring appointments were during a 7-9am walk-in window. It did get very, very busy at certain times and I had to wait 10-20 minutes. With COVID-19 protocols, the walk-in window turned into mandatory scheduled appointments. When this happened, there was no wait.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
My costs were covered under my health insurance.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
My doctor would only allow eSET given my age and diagnosis.
[Dr. Johnathan Kort] was always available to answer questions. We used an app and if I wrote at night I wouldn't expect a reply until the next morning but he usually replied right away. He has a very calm bedside manner as well. We felt very comfortable with him and his colleagues throughout the process...Dr. Kort uses single embryo transfer which I appreciate given the risks of multiples.
[RMA of Northern California] clinic is very new, opened a few years ago. It is clean, modern, looks presentable. I appreciated the little things, like having a calming screensaver in the exam room and the nurses turning down the lights during ultrasound...The nurses were wonderful. Very caring. Asking questions about how I was feeling etc...About 18k for the IVF procedure
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort has a wonderful bedside manner. I wish he had been the one to perform all of the ultrasounds and the egg retrieval but his communication and assurance were so helpful throughout the entire process. We are considering round 2 of IVF but Covid is going on and we worry that this could be a risky time.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Ask any and all questions. Don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Kort if something is weighing on you and you are worried to ask.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
He was always available to answer questions. We used an app and if I wrote at night I wouldn't expect a reply until the next morning but he usually replied right away. He has a very calm bedside manner as well. We felt very comfortable with him and his colleagues throughout the process.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
IVF round 1: we used a protocol of daily injections of low dose HCG, Follistim.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
The nurses were wonderful. Very caring. Asking questions about how I was feeling etc.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic is very new, opened a few years ago. It is clean, modern, looks presentable. I appreciated the little things, like having a calming screensaver in the exam room and the nurses turning down the lights during ultrasound.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
There was one weekend where there was an extremely long wait for monitoring but this was due to a one off event where their other location was closed. Most of the time I never waited more than 5-10 minutes.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
About 18k for the IVF procedure. Another 5k for the drugs (paid to the separate pharmacy). Another $1k for anesthesia during egg retrieval. I have no fertility benefit insurance so all was out of pocket. Which is a major factor while we consider whether we should continue to round 2.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Kort uses single embryo transfer which I appreciate given the risks of multiples.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of Northern California?
Lost appointments
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of Northern California.
We had a miscommunication while scheduling the initial consultation but they promptly corrected it and I was seen quickly
Dr. Kort had a great balance of being friendly and warm while also remaining professional and reassuring. He was incredibly easy to communicate with, and was able to provide the exact level of detail we needed, tailoring his plan to our schedule and lifestyle. We were dealing with an extremely tight timeline due to COVID-19 threatening to shit down cycles, and I felt like he was able to ensure a safe environment while maintaining a sense of urgency and care. My expectations were managed well, and I feel like we got the best care possible.
RMA is incredibly convenient if you live or work in both Silicon Valley or San Francisco. There is ample parking, the office is new, clean and very high end. It almost felt like going to the spa! The one drawback is they can get pretty busy and sometimes the waiting room is packed during peak hours....The nursing staff became like family. They are incredibly welcoming and warm, and very organized. Usually I was in and out of appointments in less than 15 minutes.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort had a great balance of being friendly and warm while also remaining professional and reassuring. He was incredibly easy to communicate with, and was able to provide the exact level of detail we needed, tailoring his plan to our schedule and lifestyle. We were dealing with an extremely tight timeline due to COVID-19 threatening to shit down cycles, and I felt like he was able to ensure a safe environment while maintaining a sense of urgency and care. My expectations were managed well, and I feel like we got the best care possible.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Come with lots of questions and don't be afraid to ask them! If you're someone who wants every little detail spelled out, I say go for it. I'm the type of person that want's just enough information to make well informed decisions but can get overwhelmed with stats and figures so most of the time end up going with the flow. I find that Dr. Kort can read people well and tailor his approach to your comfort level.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort made sure to explain what was happening in a way that was easy to understand without being patronizing or dismissive.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
I was under a standard stim protocol including subcutaneous injections of Menopur, FSH, and Centrotide.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
The nursing staff became like family. They are incredibly welcoming and warm, and very organized. Usually I was in and out of appointments in less than 15 minutes.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA is incredibly convenient if you live or work in both Silicon Valley or San Francisco. There is ample parking, the office is new, clean and very high end. It almost felt like going to the spa! The one drawback is they can get pretty busy and sometimes the waiting room is packed during peak hours.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
RMA was extremely busy when I was doing monitoring, but it always felt like the staff was well organized and I never waiting more than 5-10 minutes for an appointment. The monitoring window was perfect timing fo me to stop by before going into my office.
Dr. Kort took time to understand our circumstances and explain next steps in a way that we understood. He helps and works with people so you don’t feel like a number...He has a unique ability and willingness to do real analysis which was so important to us. He remembered and referenced my history and made me feel safe and supported. Dr. Kort's attention to detail is next level. He's an incredibly gifted doctor - smart, patient, thoughtful and responsive...We had an egg retrieval, 2 saline sonohysterograms, hysteroscopy and a frozen embryo transfer. Dr. Kort used the least invasive techniques possible and the results were better, everything was more effective. The procedures and protocols were night and day compared to my previous clinic. He reviewed my medical records in detail and referenced them frequently which was important to us.
We had an egg retrieval, 2 saline sonohysterograms, hysteroscopy and a frozen embryo transfer [at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Northern California]...The nursing staff is smart, kind, efficient and able to answer my questions. They are timely and organized...Monitoring appointments are easy and efficient. The hours are between 7am-9am so folks can get to/from work with minimal distraction. They make it seamless so patients are in and out. Results and next steps are communicated back to patients quickly and clearly.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I can’t say enough positive things about our experience with Dr. Kort. He has a unique ability and willingness to do real analysis which was so important to us. He remembered and referenced my history and made me feel safe and supported. Dr. Kort's attention to detail is next level. He's an incredibly gifted doctor - smart, patient, thoughtful and responsive.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
You're in really good hands and can trust RMA's process. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. Dr. Kort and the entire team are helpful and responsive.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
When my husband and I relocated to the Bay Area I was anxious about finding a new fertility clinic and restarting our journey in a new city. During this time, Dr. Kort took time to understand our circumstances and explain next steps in a way that we understood. He helps and works with people so you don’t feel like a number.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We had an egg retrieval, 2 saline sonohysterograms, hysteroscopy and a frozen embryo transfer. Dr. Kort used the least invasive techniques possible and the results were better, everything was more effective. The procedures and protocols were night and day compared to my previous clinic. He reviewed my medical records in detail and referenced them frequently which was important to us.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
The nursing staff is smart, kind, efficient and able to answer my questions. They are timely and organized. I loved working with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The experience with Dr. Kort and the entire RMA staff made what is a daunting, challenging and stressful time in someone's life so much easier. A few highlights: 1. Their thoroughness and attention to detail is next level 2. They have 24/7 communication channels available to patients and they’re extremely responsive and thoughtful. 3. The pharmacy service they use makes everything easier. 4. Everyone works together: there are two other doctors at the clinic, both Dr. Morin and Dr. Kaser are as wonderful and detail oriented as Dr. Kort. 5. The facilities are well kept and made me feel calm.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
Monitoring appointments are easy and efficient. The hours are between 7am-9am so folks can get to/from work with minimal distraction. They make it seamless so patients are in and out. Results and next steps are communicated back to patients quickly and clearly.
[Dr. Jonathan Kort is a] a great Dr. I came to him after a sub par experience with a Dr at another clinic and the difference in treatment was like night and day. I have a very hectic work schedule and I was surprised at how accommodating he was of this. Overall very positive, calm and there for me...he has a great bedside manner, instills confidence and really cares about you and your treatment...will work with you and your needs. We did eSET because that is what made the most sense in my situation. My embryos had all been PGS tested. This was the best course of treatment and ensured a healthy baby outcome which is what everyone wants.
[Califonia IVF is] Part of a larger group but didn't feel that way. As a business woman, with an eye for these kinds of things, I sometimes thought of ways that they could have increased their income from me or increased their effeciency but it was good to see that they didn't do all of these things just because they could (that was why I left my last clinic). They have the right balance between running a good operation and also putting the needs of an individual patient going through a fairly taxing life experience first...I was seen to by about 8-10 nurses overall. This wasn't a bad thing for me and is more so a reflection of the long hours they're open, the range of treatments I had and the fact that they work as a team. I didn't have one nurse that I didn't like and they were all really nice to me.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at California IVF?
He's a great Dr. I came to him after a sub par experience with a Dr at another clinic and the difference in treatment was like night and day. I have a very hectic work schedule and I was surprised at how accommodating he was of this. Overall very positive, calm and there for me.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at California IVF?
Get over the fact that Dr Kort looks young because he has a great bedside manner, instills confidence and really cares about you and your treatment.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at California IVF?
He was available around the clock and very responsive to any questions I had (to the point where I wondered how his work life balance was). Their app was great and gave me direct-line access whenever needed.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at California IVF.
I was seen to by about 8-10 nurses overall. This wasn't a bad thing for me and is more so a reflection of the long hours they're open, the range of treatments I had and the fact that they work as a team. I didn't have one nurse that I didn't like and they were all really nice to me.
Describe your experience with California IVF.
Part of a larger group but didn't feel that way. As a business woman, with an eye for these kinds of things, I sometimes thought of ways that they could have increased their income from me or increased their effeciency but it was good to see that they didn't do all of these things just because they could (that was why I left my last clinic). They have the right balance between running a good operation and also putting the needs of an individual patient going through a fairly taxing life experience first.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at California IVF.
Some mornings I went straight in and other mornings it was me + 5 people ahead of me. It was possible to figure out when to go to avoid busy times but sometimes I just needed to go at peak time due to my schedule.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at California IVF.
Don't remember but they were in the right ballpark in terms of what I expected them to be and what other clinics are.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at California IVF.
Dr Kort will work with you and your needs. We did eSET because that is what made the most sense in my situation. My embryos had all been PGS tested. This was the best course of treatment and ensured a healthy baby outcome which is what everyone wants.
[Dr. Jonathan Kort] recommends single embryo transfer and outlines the reasons why...Kind, compassionate, dedicated, patient, smart, good listener and the list goes on. He took the time to get to know us during our first visit and anytime we met with him or had a call he never rushed us through the conversation and took the time to answer questions. When we didn't have success on our first our second round of IVF I could tell he felt just as disappointed as we were, but was so encouraging that he felt confident we would have success which kept our optimism high.
the entire staff of nurses and front desk [at RMA of Northern California] were amazing throughout the entire process. I always felt like we were the only patient they were treating and have never had such easy access to any doctor I have seen to ask questions through their Spruce app. I was amazed how quickly they would respond to questions or concerns. The staff is incredibly kind and took the time to get to know us during our treatment. I will actually miss seeing all of them!
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Kort is the gold standard for the type of doctor that every patient deserves to have for medical treatment. Kind, compassionate, dedicated, patient, smart, good listener and the list goes on. He took the time to get to know us during our first visit and anytime we met with him or had a call he never rushed us through the conversation and took the time to answer questions. When we didn't have success on our first our second round of IVF I could tell he felt just as disappointed as we were, but was so encouraging that he felt confident we would have success which kept our optimism high. As we headed into our third round he followed up with links to recent research on a new technique we were trying for our third round of IVF where we ended up with a transferable embryo. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a doctor(s) like Dr Kort (and Morin)!
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Kort is the best! You are in great hands with a doctor who is truly invested in your success and cares about you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort (primary doctor), Dr. Morin and the entire staff of nurses and front desk were amazing throughout the entire process. I always felt like we were the only patient they were treating and have never had such easy access to any doctor I have seen to ask questions through their Spruce app. I was amazed how quickly they would respond to questions or concerns. The staff is incredibly kind and took the time to get to know us during our treatment. I will actually miss seeing all of them!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We tried a different protocol for each IVF round based on the results from the previous rounds. The first round we used Gonal, Menopur and Ganirelix and retrieved 11 eggs, 10 mature and 1 made it to blastocyst for genetic testing. The second round we switched to Lupron (morning and evening), Menopur, Gonal with Omnitrope (human growth hormone). We retrieved 15 eggs, 11 mature, 4 made it to blastocyst with all coming back with genetic abnormalities. Our third round we followed a similar protocol to the second round except reduced the dosage of Gonal and we tried a different technique with sperm where we used a second sample an hour after the first sample during the day of my retrieval. We ended up with 15 eggs retrieved, 10 mature and 2 made it to blastocyst. One came back genetically normal which we transferred.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana)
Like the doctors at RMA Northern California Luciana and the entire nursing staff is wonderful and kind. They care about your success and are always available for questions. Halle and Zoey make blood draws easy and painless and I have loved getting to know them. I felt like everyone knew my name and was truly invested in my success and was cheering me on!
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
RMA Northern California paid attention to every detail when setting up this clinic. From the best doctors, nurses and staff to a convenient location, great operating hours (7 AM-8:30 AM blood draws/ultrasounds-making it easy to get to work), modern equipment, comforting exam rooms, warm snuggly socks for your retrieval procedures, it doesn't feel like a typical doctors office.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
I rarely had to wait more than 15 minutes for my bloodwork and ultrasound. They have an efficient system in place for monitoring appointments which meant I could always get to work in a timely manner.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
My insurance covered most of my costs after we met our out-of pocket max including medications. We paid for genetic testing ($1750) for all the embryos we retrieved.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr Kort recommends single embryo transfer and outlines the reasons why.
I have PCOS. As such Dr.Kort made sure I was put on the Lupron trigger protocol to mitigate OHSS risk, and lower dosages of hormones. My estrogen did shoot up on day 3, so we lowered dosage accordingly...made sure to follow up with me personally if he sensed I was uncomfortable with something...was a very knowledgeable doctor. He was able to address all my more obscure questions including ovarian tissue freezing, and actually had experience performing such procedure during his time at Stanford. I definitely came out feeling confident in his breath of knowledge, and recency of knowledge, and I cannot say the same for all doctors. Both doctors at RMA also are fairly experienced with the actual retrival procedure, having done over 1000 egg retrievals over time. I felt very confident in Dr.Kort's ability as a doctor.
The nursing staff at RMA was great. Communication was very easy and real time thorugh the Spruce app. Blood draws were always painless and fast...[monitoring] was very convenient. There were monitoring hours but generally it's quite well batched and never too busy such that you have to wait a long time. You can sit comfortably in the waiting room...Strength - service, communication, organization, location, staff. Doctor knowledge and experience. There's not a whole lot of drawbacks. Appointments were easy to schedule and accomodated your own busy schedule. I was always able to pop in before work, and wait time was no more than 15 mins. Weakness - not much. Perhaps if anything, it is located in an liquifaction zone. But you can always move your eggs/embryos to be stored elsewhere.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr.Kort was a very knowledgeable doctor. He was able to address all my more obscure questions including ovarian tissue freezing, and actually had experience performing such procedure during his time at Stanford. I definitely came out feeling confident in his breath of knowledge, and recency of knowledge, and I cannot say the same for all doctors. Both doctors at RMA also are fairly experienced with the actual retrival procedure, having done over 1000 egg retrievals over time. I felt very confident in Dr.Kort's ability as a doctor.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Overall, a great doctor in all aspects - knowledge, communication, and experience.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr.Kort made sure to follow up with me personally if he sensed I was uncomfortable with something.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
I have PCOS. As such Dr.Kort made sure I was put on the Lupron trigger protocol to mitigate OHSS risk, and lower dosages of hormones.
My estrogen did shoot up on day 3, so we lowered dosage accordingly.
My complete protocol:
day 1 to 3: 1 vial menopur, 225 Gonal F
day 4 to 8, 1 vial menopur, 200 Gonal F
day 6 to 8, 1 vial menopur, 200 Gonal F, 1 cetrotide
Day 9 and 10, 40 Lupron trigger
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
The nursing staff at RMA was great. Communication was very easy and real time thorugh the Spruce app. Blood draws were always painless and fast.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Strength - service, communication, organization, location, staff. Doctor knowledge and experience. There's not a whole lot of drawbacks. Appointments were easy to schedule and accomodated your own busy schedule. I was always able to pop in before work, and wait time was no more than 15 mins.
Weakness - not much. Perhaps if anything, it is located in an liquifaction zone. But you can always move your eggs/embryos to be stored elsewhere.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
It was very convenient. There were monitoring hours but generally it's quite well batched and never too busy such that you have to wait a long time. You can sit comfortably in the waiting room.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
covered under insurance. Unclear what the amount is.
We used an agonist protocol, utlizing menopur and Gonal F, followed by Cetrotide [with Dr. Jonathan Kort]. This resulted in an easy egg retrieval of 31 (!) eggs, 25 of which were mature, 21 fertilized and 9 made it to blast stage for freeze...deeply cared about my personal story, things I'd gone through before I met him and assured me that he'd take good care of me - and did!...He is able to take a joke (super important to me) and knew when to be serious as well. His only opportunity to improve is that during my HSG I felt he was almost TOO candid and then walked it back and 'wanted to double check' with his partner what I think he knew all along, that my remaining tube was blocked. Sometimes I wished that he would wait to be sure to communicate something with me but overall I appreciated his openness.
I appreciated that Dr. Kort and Dr. Morin at RMANorcal always start with eSET, which seemed like the right thing for me...The operating hours (blood draws and ultrasounds from 7:30-8:30a) and ease of getting to RMA Norcal were AMAZING. I could get in and out super easily well before any am meetings. Parking can be a bit tricky in the area but there are a few garages nearby. The clinic is brand spanking new and is state of the art. The rooms are outfitted with tv's and the whole place feels really high end.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort's strengths include his candid and caring nature. He is able to take a joke (super important to me) and knew when to be serious as well. His only opportunity to improve is that during my HSG I felt he was almost TOO candid and then walked it back and 'wanted to double check' with his partner what I think he knew all along, that my remaining tube was blocked. Sometimes I wished that he would wait to be sure to communicate something with me but overall I appreciated his openness.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Be ready to hear everything and anything in an honest and caring fashion. Expect quick responses and clarity of options.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort deeply cared about my personal story, things I'd gone through before I met him and assured me that he'd take good care of me - and did!
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
We used an agonist protocol, utlizing menopur and Gonal F, followed by Cetrotide. This resulted in an easy egg retrieval of 31 (!) eggs, 25 of which were mature, 21 fertilized and 9 made it to blast stage for freeze.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana )
Luciana and the rest of the staff at RMA Norcal (Special shout out to Halle!!) are amazing. From being greeted at the front desk, to blood draws and Ultrasounds, I was always treated with the utmost respect and care. Everyone knew my name and seemed to be invested in my success. I love them.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The operating hours (blood draws and ultrasounds from 7:30-8:30a) and ease of getting to RMA Norcal were AMAZING. I could get in and out super easily well before any am meetings. Parking can be a bit tricky in the area but there are a few garages nearby. The clinic is brand spanking new and is state of the art. The rooms are outfitted with tv's and the whole place feels really high end.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of Northern California.
Very little wait times with easy to get to early morning monitoring hours. I was typically in and out in less than 30 minutes.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Egg retrieval was about $12k, and FET was about $4k.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I appreciated that Dr. Kort and Dr. Morin at RMANorcal always start with eSET, which seemed like the right thing for me.
He [Dr. Jonathan Kort] was very patient, showed extreme care, and found the right solutions to our many problems along the way...Here are some treatment strategies and protocols he used: - Complete genetic screening of egg donor and father - Estrogen patches and extra medication for mother's lining development - Surgery to remove polyp - ERA test to detect lining receptiveness - Multiple screenings...
The nursing staff at RMA is excellent across the board. We felt extremely well supported the entire time...They cared for us like nobody else. They were always available, in constant contact, and very attentive to our situation and needs. Their care is extremely customized to the patient’s situation and you feel like you are their top priority all the time. They quickly became part of our extended family, which is very important given how sensitive fertility problems can be.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Our experience as Dr. Kort’s patients couldn’t have been better. We met with multiple doctors in our journey to get pregnant and he was by far the most dedicated, compassionate, and competent. Our case was complicated and involved many processes, situations, and procedures: egg donation, genetic incompatibility, polyp removal, lining under-development, pre-receptiveness. He was very patient, showed extreme care, and found the right solutions to our many problems along the way.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
He is the best and will take great care of you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort and his staff were always extremely empathetic and treated us with great warm and care. He was always available to discuss our situation and took us step by step through this complicated process. We had a direct line with him and he made us feel like we were his only patients.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Here are some treatment strategies and protocols he used:
- Complete genetic screening of egg donor and father
- Estrogen patches and extra medication for mother's lining development
- Surgery to remove polyp
- ERA test to detect lining receptiveness
- Multiple screenings
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
The nursing staff at RMA is excellent across the board. We felt extremely well supported the entire time.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Of all the clinics we visited and worked with in the Bay Area (a total of 4), RMA was absolutely the best. They cared for us like nobody else. They were always available, in constant contact, and very attentive to our situation and needs. Their care is extremely customized to the patient’s situation and you feel like you are their top priority all the time. They quickly became part of our extended family, which is very important given how sensitive fertility problems can be.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Dr. Kort explained well the tradeoffs of transferring one versus two embryos and suggested the former, as it would be safer for the baby and the mother.
Dr. Kort knew my Cancer condition well before I came in for our initial consultation. He was very thorough and detail oriented. He went over best case scenarios and was gentle with worst case scenarios - he proceeded with much caution. Exceptional bedside manner. Dr. Kort is amazing at communication even when I am not in the office - he uses Spruce to communicate results and updates.
One weakness is that some of them are not well versed about their pricing. My husband and I went in to meet with their [RMA Of Nor Cal] financial navigator and they were not well versed about the egg donor process. ... They are knowledgeable yet make you feel like family. Their strength is that they are caring, and go through lengths to make a connection and establish sound care.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort knew my Cancer condition well before I came in for our initial consultation. He was very thorough and detail oriented. He went over best case scenarios and was gentle with worst case scenarios - he proceeded with much caution. Exceptional bedside manner. Dr. Kort is amazing at communication even when I am not in the office - he uses Spruce to communicate results and updates.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Go ready to fall in love with his practice. Be ready for an in depth conversation about your condition.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort and his entire staff made me feel safe, validated and heard. Dr. Kort spent a generous amount of time during my initial consultation and Sonogram. He went into details about my condition, was kind and very thorough. His team of Nurses, phlebotomist s and administrative assistants never minimized me or treated me like a number.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
Since I will be using an egg donor there were several different protocols. One for me and One for my Egg Donor. I am to undergo several rounds of medication mock cycles - Since I am on HRT - via estrogen patch - this will look somewhat different for me. We are finishing up the legal agreement with our family attorney - once that is finished - we will begin medicated cycles for my Egg donor
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
Excellent and real time communication - those words best describe the staff. The staff is somewhat small - but are definitely patient centered in their care. Every time I have called, they are cautious as to how I am feeling and to what I need. If I am calling in cheerful and excited, their energy meets me there. If I am calling and sound concerned, they meet me with concern and don't minimize my concern. They are knowledgeable and, if the staff doesn't know they are transparent and give me the confidence that they can get an answer for me. They always let me know at what steps they are and set real time patient expectations
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The staff is a small staff but they are mighty, I know that sounds cliche. They have this Savvyness about them that you know they will do everything in their power to meet your needs. They are knowledgeable yet make you feel like family. Their strength is that they are caring, and go through lengths to make a connection and establish sound care.
One weakness is that some of them are not well versed about their pricing. My husband and I went in to meet with their financial navigator and they were not well versed about the egg donor process.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
My care under Doctor Jonathan Kort was several thousand dollars cheaper in comparison to my previous IVF Fertility facility. about $7,000- $10,000 Cheaper.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
I am on board and believe that Dr. Kort and his entire staff has our best interest in mind when stating that they only will assist and undergo Elective Single Embryo Transfer. Given my medical history, and to give us a best chance at a healthy, full term pregnancy.
Dr. Kort is superb and is so available for all of his patients. He really takes his time to make sure you understand all your options and why he recommends certain treatments over others. He has called me after hours numerous times to queel my anxieties. ... There is no sense of being treated like a number or "just another case" when it comes to working with him. He knows about your case individually and treats you as such.
The clinic [RMA of NoCal] is located in downtown SF right by a BART station, which is great unless you drive there. ... Easy to schedule, easy to communicate, easy to get more information - basically everything I could ask for. ... Because I am doing IVF with PGD there are many extra costs compared to a typical IVF cycle. ... The entire [nurse] team at RMA norcal is easy to talk to and empathetic. Every time I go in I feel comfortable and at ease immediately.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is calm, kind, and human. There is no sense of being treated like a number or "just another case" when it comes to working with him. He knows about your case individually and treats you as such.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
See Dr. Kort! I trust him implicitly after working with him.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is superb and is so available for all of his patients. He really takes his time to make sure you understand all your options and why he recommends certain treatments over others. He has called me after hours numerous times to queel my anxieties.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
I originally started with doing unmedicated IUI (gay, no access to free sperm), but shortly after found out I have a rare and fatal genetic disease. This news was traumatic in and of itself, but Dr. Kort was right alongside me, clearly and kindly explaining my options for IVF with PGD and making sure I understood what the new plan would be.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California.
The entire team at RMA norcal is easy to talk to and empathetic. Every time I go in I feel comfortable and at ease immediately.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The clinic is located in downtown SF right by a BART station, which is great unless you drive there. There is basically no parking, so don't try.
Other than that I've seen nothing but strengths so far with this clinic. Easy to schedule, easy to communicate, easy to get more information - basically everything I could ask for.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
Because I am doing IVF with PGD there are many extra costs compared to a typical IVF cycle. I have no insurance coverage, so a single cycle (PGD probe creation, egg retrieval, meds, ICSI, assisted hatching, embryo biopsy, PGS, PGD, more meds, and FET) will likely be around 20k-25k
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
Strong preference for single embryo transfer. Will transfer two if you very much want him to, but will never transfer more than two (in my case). I came in thinking I wanted two transferred and he gave me clear and logical information as to why a single transfer may be preferable. We will be going with a single transfer
He had no hesitation in setting up frequent phone conversations and answering questions, and wasn't billing me for this time. ... I felt so reassured and cared for throughout the whole process and never felt like if any point I needed help, that I wouldn't be able to get a hold of Dr. Kort or his partner, Dr. Morin. ... He explained every part of the process, listened to all of my concerns, took time to answer all of my questions thoroughly.
The doctors at RMA seem like they are invested in their patients treatment and want success just as much as you do. ... They seem to really care about the outcome of your treatment, and partner with you to make the whole process as positive as possible. ... She [nurse] was thorough and patient and made me feel confident in giving myself injections. ... The nursing staff on a whole was great, since I was working with many of them throughout the process.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
This was the best patient experience I have ever had. It was not hard to get a hold of Dr. Kort with questions, including when I was doing my injections late at night. He had no hesitation in setting up frequent phone conversations and answering questions, and wasn't billing me for this time. I was hoping to go through the process fairly quickly for insurance reasons and Dr. Kort made sure that he helped with that, as I called to set up a consultation and he was able to get me in that same week. He was respectful and kind in his approach, and would even remember things about me and ask me about them at our next appointment. I felt so reassured and cared for throughout the whole process and never felt like if any point I needed help, that I wouldn't be able to get a hold of Dr. Kort or his partner, Dr. Morin.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I would highly recommend going to RMA to see Dr. Kort if you want to have a seamless process where the doctors treat you with kindness and respect. They seem to really care about the outcome of your treatment, and partner with you to make the whole process as positive as possible.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr Kort was so willing to help me through every part of the process. He explained every part of the process, listened to all of my concerns, took time to answer all of my questions thoroughly. We gave me his personal cell phone in case I needed to reach him and wasn't able to otherwise. He would call/text and check in on me throughout the process, and was willing to work around my schedule to make appointments. I can't speak highly enough about Dr. Kort.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
The medications I used were Follistim and Menopur for about 11 days. My dosage of Follistim and Menopur increased throughout the treatment, because I had a lot of follicles that were just under the size that they needed to be and they wanted them to grow into the 15-22mm range. I used Ganirelix for the last 5 days or so, so that I wouldn't ovulate early, paired with the Follistim and Menopur. I used Novarel and Leuprolide as my trigger shots 36 hours before my procedure. Dr. Kort was able to retreive 20 eggs, and 17 were mature and could be frozen
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
The nursing staff on a whole was great, since I was working with many of them throughout the process. I went in for quite a few appointments at the end to get blood work and ultrasounds and saw the same 4 or 5 nurses throughout that time. They were all extremely kind and calm and helped me to feel calm and reassured.
Luciana was the nurse who I worked with primarily, and she trained me to give myself the injections and help explain/train me on any changes to my treatment throughout the process. She was thorough and patient and made me feel confident in giving myself injections. She was quick to respond when I had questions and she made sure I completely understood all parts of the treatment. She also helped me on the day of the procedure by talking me through how the morning would go, helping me get settled and setting up my IV, and answering all my questions. She was warm and helpful and I felt like I was in good hands.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
The doctors at RMA seem like they are invested in their patients treatment and want success just as much as you do. They go above and beyond to make their patients feel safe and cared for. The doctors know that many people are going through a difficult situation and want to make this part of the process as easy as possible so that the fertility treatment doesn't add to the stress. The clinic had two locations, one in San Francisco and one in Palo Alto. This was extremely helpful for me, since I live in San Francisco and commute down to the South Bay, and I could go to either clinic on any given day. This made the whole process so easy for me. I don't have any negative things to say about the clinic.
Dr. Kort is extremely personable, friendly, helpful, an insightful. He's always available to answer questions and is quick to respond with thorough and clear explanations. He's thoughtful, empathetic and by far the most supportive doctor we've worked with throughout this process. ... He's been extremely informative in counseling us through the process, acting as an invaluable educator and sounding board for each decision along the way. He's friendly, warm, personable, and extremely knowledgeable about his practice.
I absolutely loved the attentiveness and warmth of care at RMA. Having done our prior cycles at UCSF, it was an amazing shift going from what felt like one of thousands of patients in a machine to a clinic that was extremely focused on our experience. ... Luciana [nurse] is wonderful. She's kind, quickly responsive, compassionate and great at explaining the process. We were in great hands with Luciana.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Kort. He's been extremely informative in counseling us through the process, acting as an invaluable educator and sounding board for each decision along the way. He's friendly, warm, personable, and extremely knowledgeable about his practice. My wife and I trust him immensely and would recommend him and his practice highly.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Be open and honest, you're in great hands!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is extremely personable, friendly, helpful, an insightful. He's always available to answer questions and is quick to respond with thorough and clear explanations. He's thoughtful, empathetic and by far the most supportive doctor we've worked with throughout this process.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
Luciana is wonderful. She's kind, quickly responsive, compassionate and great at explaining the process. We were in great hands with Luciana.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
I absolutely loved the attentiveness and warmth of care at RMA. Having done our prior cycles at UCSF, it was an amazing shift going from what felt like one of thousands of patients in a machine to a clinic that was extremely focused on our experience. It was amazing how much time we had with Dr. Kort, who was constantly in contact with us and available for questions. The whole staff was impressively accessible, informative, and compassionate.
As far as I can tell, Dr. Kort is using the latest strategies and protocols as recommended by SART. We did IVF with an egg donor. Dr. Kort reviewed our donor thoroughly and provided recommendations to increase outcome. We transferred a single embryo and had a fantastic result!...was always familiar with our case when we visited. He was very transparent, kind and encouraging with our treatment...is very knowledgeable about fertility. He was very thorough in reviewing our egg donor and made great suggestions leading up to the transfer. He has a great demeanor and we were always very excited to meet with him.
We did our appointments in the Palo Alto office [of Reproductive Medicine Associates of Northern California]. The office was very warm and clean. Bottled water and snacks are available as well. We were always greeted when we walked in and the doctor always saw us on time. They take blood samples on-site which was very convenient...[the nurse] Was very prompt in provided instructions and information. Very responsive to questions.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort is very knowledgeable about fertility. He was very thorough in reviewing our egg donor and made great suggestions leading up to the transfer. He has a great demeanor and we were always very excited to meet with him.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Ask questions! Dr. Kort is very helpful in answering all questions so make sure to ask.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort was always familiar with our case when we visited. He was very transparent, kind and encouraging with our treatment.
Describe the protocols Jonathan Kort used in your cycles at RMA of Northern California and their degree of success.
As far as I can tell, Dr. Kort is using the latest strategies and protocols as recommended by SART. We did IVF with an egg donor. Dr. Kort reviewed our donor thoroughly and provided recommendations to increase outcome. We transferred a single embryo and had a fantastic result!
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of Northern California. (Assigned nurse: Luciana Svilpa)
Was very prompt in provided instructions and information. Very responsive to questions.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
We did our appointments in the Palo Alto office. The office was very warm and clean. Bottled water and snacks are available as well. We were always greeted when we walked in and the doctor always saw us on time. They take blood samples on-site which was very convenient.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California.
I believe the cost was $20,000 plus separate donor fees.
Describe Jonathan Kort's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of Northern California.
We did eSET based on age as recommended by Dr. Kort. We thought this was an excellent choice as well.
Dr. Kort sat down with me for almost an hour and reviewed my treatment plan and answered all the questions in the world. It was amazing. He was thoughtful, incredibly smart, and kind...It was so easy to schedule, he made himself available for personal contact and questions after the consult, and I can't wait to work with him more. (And seriously, who can say that about IVF?)...Doctors make it super easy to reach them, and you actually reach THEM and not a generic hotline/email.
Scheduling is very easy [at RMA of Northern California]. Front desk is very responsive and helpful. Parking is easy. Doctors make it super easy to reach them, and you actually reach THEM and not a generic hotline/email. No weaknesses come to mind! Everyone has been very kind, and I look forward to working with them more...Nurses were very kind and engaging. I loved visiting with them. Blood draws were quick, painless, and timely.
How was your experience with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
I've recommended him already to my other three friends doing IVF right now. It was so easy to schedule, he made himself available for personal contact and questions after the consult, and I can't wait to work with him more. (And seriously, who can say that about IVF?)
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
You're so lucky! Relax and he'll take care of the rest!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Jonathan Kort at RMA of Northern California?
Dr. Kort sat down with me for almost an hour and reviewed my treatment plan and answered all the questions in the world. It was amazing. He was thoughtful, incredibly smart, and kind.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of Northern California.
Nurses were very kind and engaging. I loved visiting with them. Blood draws were quick, painless, and timely.
Describe your experience with RMA of Northern California.
Scheduling is very easy. Front desk is very responsive and helpful. Parking is easy. Doctors make it super easy to reach them, and you actually reach THEM and not a generic hotline/email. No weaknesses come to mind! Everyone has been very kind, and I look forward to working with them more.