Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine: Providing Personalized Fertility Care at its Finest

Founded in 2002, the Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, led by Dr. Fady Sharara, is a boutique fertility clinic renowned for offering personalized, physician-led care. Based in the Washington DC suburb of Northern Virginia, VCRM specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility treatments, offering advanced technologies and compassionate support on patients’ family-building journey.

With a commitment to clinical research, patient-centered care, and a strong bond with patients, VCRM is achieving great pregnancy rates with Dr. Sharara at the helm.

The Story of Fady Sharara: From Beirut to Virginia

Fady Sharara, MD of VCRM, was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon—a vibrant, cosmopolitan city where Eastern and Western cultures, traditions, and knowledge systems have intersected for millennia. In Beirut, being trilingual is common. Dr. Sharara attended a French school for primary and secondary education. He then completed both his pre-medical and medical training at the American University of Beirut.

The day after graduation, he moved to the United States to begin his residency and fellowship. What was initially planned as a short-term, seven- to eight-year experience abroad has now evolved into a life lived abroad spanning nearly 40 years. The U.S., where Dr. Sharara has built both his career and family, has become home.

The Inspiration for Reproductive Medicine

Dr. Sharara feels fortunate to have found his calling, which was “born from rubble.” Growing up in Beirut during the civil war is what first inspired him to become a physician. Wanting to help people and choose a “happier” specialty that brings joy and hope to people’s lives led him to reproductive medicine. This field allowed him to help people create something beautiful from their hardship.

During his fourth-year medical electives in the U.S., he rotated with reproductive endocrinologists at Georgetown University. Despite the field’s infancy and surrounding skepticism at the time, Dr. Sharara was certain that reproductive medicine, particularly IVF, was what he was meant to do.

Sustaining Energy, Empathy, and Focus

With over three decades in medicine, Dr. Sharara can focus on an emotionally charged field of fertility medicine because he loves what he does. Even after 31 years since completing his fellowship, he wakes up excited to go to work. This sense of purpose sustains him. Dr. Sharara’s experiences growing up during a civil war and witnessing the fleeting nature of life have deepened his empathy, mainly for those struggling to build a family. He believes that reproductive medicine, more than any other medical specialty, is fundamentally about human connection.

Managing Emotional Highs and Lows in Fertility Care

Dr. Sharara manages these emotional highs and lows by riding the emotional rollercoaster alongside his patients. A significant part of his role involves providing empathy, honesty, and unwavering support to patients, regardless of whether they are feeling optimistic or discouraged. Every patient entering VCRM has a unique story and deserves individualized, compassionate care. Dr. Sharara and his team celebrate the highs and feel the lows with their patients as part of their commitment.

Creative and Intellectual Pursuits

Dr. Sharara loves travelling and frequently lectures on infertility worldwide, valuing the opportunity to see how different cultures approach this global issue and exchange ideas with diverse physicians. He is an avid reader, particularly drawn to geopolitics and history. Music is another passion—he listens across genres, from rock to jazz to classical, and has built quite an extensive CD collection. When possible, Dr. Sharara and his wife travel to visit their two daughters, which helps keep everything in perspective.

What Sets VCRM Apart and Its Culture

VCRM distinguishes itself from other fertility centers in the US by being a boutique practice intentionally designed for deeply personalized, physician-led care. In an era where corporate medicine is increasingly prevalent, VCRM prides itself on this personal touch. Dr. Sharara himself performs all ultrasounds, diagnostic testing, and treatments. When patients call VCRM, they always speak directly to a person—never navigating through an automated phone tree. This design reflects Dr. Sharara’s values as a physician and leader, focusing on personalized care and direct human interaction.

Fostering Innovation and Continuous Learning

Dr. Sharara fosters innovation and continuous learning within the team of clinicians and support staff by remaining deeply committed to clinical research despite running a busy practice. They regularly present at scientific meetings and publish their findings—a practice that’s become uncommon in private settings. Patients notice this commitment from their very first visit. Many choose VCRM after experiencing challenges at larger clinics. The support staff, being the face of VCRM, builds strong bonds with patients. These relationships are often so meaningful that patients are hesitant to leave them behind even when their journey with VCRM concludes.

Evolution of Patient Education at VCRM

Patient education has evolved significantly with the integration of new technologies such as genetic testing and AI-based tools. As Dr. Sharara notes, with the adoption of these advances, VCRM ensures that patients fully understand the purpose and potential benefits of these technologies. On an emotional level, patients are well supported by VCRM’s outstanding nursing team. The nursing staff are always accessible and deeply invested in the care of their patients, assuring patients feel informed and emotionally supported throughout their journey.

What Distinguishes a Good Reproductive Endocrinologist

It is the passion for what they do—loving what you do and understanding why you love it. Patients are incredibly perceptive—they can sense genuine care from their physician. nurse, embryologist, or staff member. At VCRM, the team aims higher than just delivering good care; they strive to provide great care. Dr. Sharara underscores that every patient deserves to experience this elevated level of care, making an impactful difference in their journey.

Mentoring the Next Generation

Dr. Sharara mentors the next generation of OB/GYNs and REI specialists to think holistically about patient care. At VCRM, patients are treated holistically—addressing not just medical factors, but also diet, lifestyle, work habits, and emotional well-being. Dr. Sharara’s frustration with the lack of nutritional resources for fertility patients led him to develop the Infertility Diet app in 2013—a practical guide on what to eat and avoid for patients dealing with fertility issues.

In terms of mentorship, Dr. Sharara co-founded the NIH Journal Club in 1996 with two other physicians. The purpose was to discuss new research monthly. What began with three participants has grown to over 30 participants, and they continue to meet every month to stay current and exchange ideas.

A Pivotal Career Decision

Looking back, Dr. Sharara identifies his unwavering commitment to becoming a reproductive endocrinologist as the pivotal career decision that most significantly shaped his path. It wasn’t the easiest path to pursue, and Dr. Sharara had to strongly advocate for himself along the way. Despite the challenges, he never wavered in his conviction. He knew deep down that this was his calling, and he believes that nothing else would have fulfilled him to the same degree.

Innovations in IVF and Fertility Preservation

Genetic testing for embryos and egg freezing has been transformative in the field of IVF and fertility preservation. VCRM was a pioneer in the D.C. area, launching an elective egg freezing program back in 2003—a time when it was still considered experimental by the ASRM. Dr. Sharara foresaw the growing importance of fertility preservation as more women choose to delay childbearing. Despite less than 15% of women globally having returned to use their frozen eggs so far, Dr. Sharara expects a major rise in this number.

Additionally, egg and sperm freezing for cancer patients is now well-established. Dr. Sharara and VCRM are also excited about emerging tools—especially the integration of AI into lab and treatment processes, which holds tremendous promise for advancing fertility care.

Navigating the Ethical Boundaries in Reproductive Medicine

Dr. Sharara says that as technologies like gene editing and embryo screening evolve, navigating the ethical boundaries is a critical consideration. Most professional societies—and many governments—have advisory boards to set boundaries and protect against unethical uses of gene editing. Physicians, he notes, must remain vigilant and ensure that scientific progress does not outpace ethical oversight.

Trends in Patient Demographics and Expectations

In the field of reproductive medicine, patients are seeking treatment at increasingly later stages. This trend is largely driven by the fact that IVF remains self-funded in many U.S. states. The 2008 financial crisis pushed the average age of patients upward, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays which resulted increased the number of couples seeking fertility care. On a broader scale, many countries, including the US,  are experiencing fertility rates below the replacement level. Global population growth is expected to peak in the near future before beginning to decline. Africa is the only continent where fertility rates remain above the replacement level. This demographic shift carries substantial implications for global trends and policies.

Emotional Support in Fertility Care and Future Plans

According to Dr. Sharara, emotional and psychological support are integral to fertility care, and their role will only continue to grow. He and his team care for their patients as human beings, first and foremost—they are never just a medical case. They recognize the extent to which socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and gender issues, among others, are at play both within and beyond the clinical encounter. Addressing infertility demands addressing the experience of infertility.

Looking ahead, Dr. Sharara plans to continue doing what he loves most: helping bring healthy babies into the lives of those who long for them.