Dr Francisco Arredondo On Navigating the Challenges of Infertility and IVF
An Interview With Lucinda Koza
Education: Knowledge is power. Understanding your options and the process will give you confidence. I’ve seen that the more informed my patients are, the more in control they feel, and that leads to better outcomes.
Infertility and the journey through IVF are challenges that many individuals and couples face, often accompanied by emotional, physical, and financial stress. Despite advancements in reproductive technology, the process can be isolating and fraught with uncertainty. How can we better support those navigating infertility and IVF, and what strategies can help manage the various challenges along the way? As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Francisco Arredondo, MD, MPH.
Dr. Francisco Arredondo, MD, MPH, is a distinguished fertility specialist, entrepreneur, and advocate for democratizing fertility services. Graduating summa cum laude from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies School of Medicine in Mexico, he quickly became recognized for his academic excellence, honored as one of the best medical students in the country. His passion for reproductive health began early during his medical training, where he collaborated with Mexico’s first successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) team, sparking a lifelong commitment to the field of fertility.
Dr. Arredondo’s journey in reproductive medicine is marked by extensive training and accomplishments. After his medical studies in Mexico, he conducted research at the World Health Organization’s Reproductive Biology Center in Mexico City. He then pursued an internship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed an OBGYN residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. His dedication to enhancing his expertise led him to a Fertility Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and he earned a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard University, focusing on international health and business management. This diverse and rigorous education equipped Dr. Arredondo with both clinical excellence and a deep understanding of healthcare systems and business.
Throughout his career, Dr. Arredondo has continually sought to blend his medical expertise with innovative business strategies. His pioneering spirit led him to practice as an OBGYN in rural Kentucky, where he gained firsthand experience in providing care to underserved populations. Later, as an Assistant Professor of Reproductive Biology at Case Western Reserve University, he honed his skills in both patient care and academic leadership. However, Dr. Arredondo’s entrepreneurial drive inspired him to follow a new path, one where he could directly influence the patient experience and expand access to fertility services.
At the age of 40, he made the decision to become a “MedikalPreneur,” a term he coined to describe physicians who venture into entrepreneurship to make a transformative impact on patients’ lives. Dr. Arredondo founded his own fertility center in San Antonio, Texas, which over 13 years grew into a network of fertility centers and entrepreneurial ventures, employing more than 80 team members. His approach was not only about delivering top-quality fertility care but also about reimagining the patient journey, using personalized services and innovative business practices to set his clinic apart in a competitive field.
In 2019, after achieving his professional and financial goals, Dr. Arredondo sold his interest in many of his companies and launched a new venture: Pozitivf Fertility. His mission with Pozitivf is to provide top-quality fertility care at an affordable price, thus making fertility services accessible to a broader population. This endeavor reflects his commitment to social entrepreneurship, focusing on patient-centered care while implementing business strategies that ensure affordability and sustainability.
Today, Dr. Arredondo continues to share his knowledge and passion as a mentor and advocate. He serves on the medical advisory boards of several American companies and advises national and international private equity firms focusing on health investments. Through his book, “The MedikalPreneur: The Official Guidebook for Physician’s Success in Business,” Dr. Arredondo empowers other healthcare professionals to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and succeed in building practices that combine medical excellence with innovative business management. His career is a testament to the potential for physicians to excel not only in clinical practice but also in creating transformative, patient-centered businesses.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you tell us a bit about you and your backstory?
Sure! I’m a fertility specialist and entrepreneur. I started my journey in reproductive medicine years ago, working with Mexico’s first successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) team. Over time, I built multiple fertility centers and ultimately founded Pozitivf Fertility with the goal of making high-quality fertility care accessible to everyone. My passion has always been about helping people, and through Pozitivf, we’re creating a path where fertility care is affordable, transparent, and patient-focused.
Why did you decide to dedicate your life to helping families have children?
I’ve always been fascinated by the miracle of life. My journey started when I witnessed my first IVF success during my training — it was transformative. Helping families who have struggled with infertility finally hold a child of their own is deeply rewarding. It’s more than just medicine — it’s about creating families and changing lives, and that’s an incredible privilege. Furthermore this profession challenges all the dimensions of my being: Intellectually you have to be prepared, read a lot, keep yourself updated, Manually you have to have the surgical skill and precision on your movements, psychologically you have to be able to read people, interact, be emotionally supportive….If I am born again I will do exactly the same thing!
For the average woman experiencing fertility issues, what kind of access to resources are available to them in order to see the right doctors, run the right tests, etc.?
Access varies depending on location and financial resources, which is one of the biggest challenges we’re addressing at Pozitivf. Many clinics are concentrated in certain regions, especially in the Northeast, making it harder for women in other areas. But there are increasing resources online, and many clinics now offer virtual consultations. We believe in providing affordable, streamlined access to testing and care, so at Pozitivf, we ensure patients can easily connect with fertility experts and access the tests they need without jumping through unnecessary hoops.
What sets your clinic, Pozitivf Fertility, apart from your competitors?
What sets Pozitivf Fertility apart is our commitment to accessibility, affordability, and transparency. We’re on a mission to democratize fertility care, offering top-quality services at a fraction of the cost you’d find elsewhere. We also emphasize a personalized, patient-centered approach, ensuring that our patients feel supported every step of the way. We focus on less visits with more happiness — that’s our motto!
Following through with the complete process of fertility testing and treatment can be absolutely grueling. How does Pozitivf Fertility help its patients cope with constant procedures, medications, hormones?
We understand how emotionally and physically draining fertility treatments can be. At Pozitivf, we aim to minimize the stress by streamlining the process, offering fewer appointments while still maintaining a high standard of care. We also provide emotional support throughout the journey. Whether it’s through fertility coaches or mental health resources, we make sure our patients never feel like they’re alone.
What’s the most important fact about the fertility/IVF industry that most people don’t know?
Many people don’t realize how widespread fertility issues are — 1 in 7 people of childbearing age experience some form of infertility. Yet, only a fraction of those who need fertility treatments are able to access them. The issue isn’t just medical; it’s also financial. The high costs of IVF mean many families are priced out of care. That’s why we’re committed to making fertility treatment affordable for more people.
Can you please share “5 Things You Need to Navigate the Challenges of Infertility and IVF”?
- Support System: Whether it’s family, friends, or a support group, having people around who understand and uplift you is crucial. I remember a patient who brought her mom to every appointment. That shared experience gave her strength.
- Emotional Resilience: Infertility can be a rollercoaster. It’s important to stay grounded and accept that there will be ups and downs. One patient coped by journaling through every stage — it became her emotional outlet.
- Education: Knowledge is power. Understanding your options and the process will give you confidence. I’ve seen that the more informed my patients are, the more in control they feel, and that leads to better outcomes.
- Open Communication with Your Doctor: Your doctor should be your partner in this process. Ask questions, stay informed, and make sure you’re comfortable with every step. One patient told me how much it eased her anxiety to know exactly what was happening at every stage.
- Financial Preparedness: IVF can be expensive, so understanding the costs upfront and planning for them can help reduce stress. We make it a point at Pozitivf to offer transparent pricing so patients can plan effectively.
Is there a person in the world with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why?
I’d love to sit down with Bill Gates. His work in global health and philanthropy is inspiring. I’d love to pick his brain about how we can tackle infertility on a larger, global scale and make fertility care accessible to underserved populations.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I’d start a global movement to make fertility care accessible to everyone, regardless of income. Reproductive rights are human rights, and everyone deserves the chance to have a family. I want to ensure that no one is left behind due to financial or geographical barriers. We live in a world that has a false sense that there is overpopulation in the world. Is NOT true. We need more people and our fertility rates are dwindling
How can our readers follow your work online?
You can follow us at Pozitivf Fertility on all major social media platforms. We also regularly update our website with resources and information about fertility care. And of course, you can find me personally on LinkedIn, where I share insights about fertility, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
https://www.tiktok.com/place/Pozitivf-Fertility-21568226272247107
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pozitivf-fertility/posts/?feedView=all
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fertilitysanantoniotexas/
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
About the Interviewer: After becoming her father’s sole caregiver at a young age, Lucinda Koza founded I-Ally, a community-based app that provides access to services and support for millennial family caregivers. Mrs. Koza has had essays published in Thought Catalog, Medium Women, Caregiving.com and Hackernoon.com. She was featured in ‘Founded by Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Female Founders’ by Sydney Horton. A filmmaker, Mrs. Koza premiered short film ‘Laura Point’ at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and recently co-directed ‘Caregivers: A Story About Them’ with Egyptian filmmaker Roshdy Ahmed. Her most notable achievement, however, has been becoming a mother to fraternal twins in 2023. Reach out to Lucinda via social media or directly by email: lucinda@i-ally.com.
