Since 2013, we have been providing Central Texans with the resources, support, and financial assistance they need to pursue their dream of having a family.

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One in eight couples of childbearing age suffers from infertility.

Infertility is a medical condition that disrupts one of the body’s most fundamental functions: the ability to conceive a child. For those facing infertility, each passing month brings a renewed sense of loss—a painful reminder that their condition stands between them and the family they long to create. Their hearts ache for the chance to hold the life they dream of nurturing.

What many don’t realize is that infertility treatments are rarely covered by insurance, leaving many patients unable to afford the care they need. The emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming, with many individuals and couples exhausting their resources long before they reach success.

The cost of treatment varies widely, depending on the root cause of infertility. Options may include medication, corrective surgery, and/or advanced procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Regardless of the path, the journey is often costly—and out of reach for too many.

Fertility & Beyond: Join the Conversation
Written and published by the Fertility Foundation of Texas, this book fosters meaningful conversations about infertility, featuring insights from leading experts in the field.  Click here to purchase.

EDUCATION

We encourage you to visit the following websites and information about infertility:

RESOLVE The National Infertility Association
The National Infertility Association, established in 1974, is dedicated to ensuring that all people challenged in their family building journey reach resolution through being empowered by knowledge, supported by community, united by advocacy, and inspired to act.

American Society for Reproductive Medicine
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and practice of reproductive medicine. It provides a forum for lay public, researchers, physicians and affiliated health workers through education, publications, and meetings.

Fertility Docs Uncensored Podcast
The nation’s leading fertility doctors have joined forces to separate fertility fact from fiction. It’s the only place you can hear fertility docs from around the country diving into the nitty-gritty of infertility. From their personal experiences as infertility patients, to what you can really expect from IVF.

Footsteps for Fertility
Footsteps for Fertility Foundation organizes 5K races that are held annually with the goal of promoting infertility awareness and educating couples about how to get grants and affordable treatment options for in vitro fertilization, frozen embryo transfers and intrauterine insemination.

MEDICATION DISCOUNTS

Fertility Lifelines
The Compassionate Care Program provides eligible† patients savings based on income. Eligible patients may save 25%, 50%, or 75% off the self-pay price of medicine, or receive a 10% discount per unit, via a mail-in rebate, off their out-of-pocket costs for EMD Serono’s fertility medications.

Heart Beat Program 
Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy have developed the Heart Beat program to help ease the financial burden for female patients diagnosed with any type of cancer who are pursuing fertility preservation services prior to starting treatment.

GRANTS

Tree of Life Grant
The Tree of Life Grant is designed to alleviate some of the financial and emotional stress created by infertility, to raise awareness about infertility while providing support and eliminating any negative stigma, and to celebrate the gift of life. This grant is in partnership with Fertility Foundation of Texas but is designated specifically for Jewish couples who need to undergo IVF treatment.

Tinina Q Cade Foundation
Providing information, support, and financial assistance to help needy infertile families OVERCOME infertility.

LOANS

Hebrew Free Loan Association
Hebrew Free Loan of Austin provides short-term financial support for members of the greater Austin Jewish community through interest-free loans that springboard you to your next step in life.

ASSOCIATIONS

Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (SREI)
SREI represents board-certified Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialists who are certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). The society is committed to advancing excellence in patient care, supporting professional development, and promoting innovation in reproductive health. Visit their helpful Member Directory to find an REI specialist in your area.

Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology
SART is the primary organization of professionals dedicated to the practice of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the United States.

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DR. TOM TURNER

Embryologist

Dr. Turner was recruited to Austin in 1993 by Dr. Thomas Vaughn, the Texas Fertility Center founder who established the city’s first IVF program at St. David’s. As Director of Austin IVF (now Ovation Fertility Austin), Tom oversaw the growth of the lab to employ seven embryologist and increasing the number of IVF cycles from 95 in 1993 to over 2000 in 2016.

Tom’s career began at Human Embryology’s infancy in the early 1970s. He was the embryologist who performed the world’s first GIFT (gamete intra-fallopian transfer) procedure at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio.

In addition to running several successful IVF laboratories, Tom has served in national leadership positions and as a consultant to IVF programs worldwide.

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DR. SANDEEP MISTRY

Urologist

Dr. Mistry is a Texas native having grown up in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land. He went to college at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and conducted research to improve bioreactors and understand the fluid mechanics of artificial blood. He was very active as a student including serving as Student Government President.

After College, he moved back to Houston and received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. While a medical student, he was awarded a prestigious Howard Hughes Research Fellowship to conduct basic science research in prostate cancer. Dr. Mistry stayed at Baylor to complete his residency in Adult and Pediatric Urology. While a resident he earned a Master’s in Public Health authoring a thesis on the ethics of screening the uninsured for cancer.

Dr. Mistry played a critical role in the development of the DaVinci Robotic Prostatectomy program at Baylor at a time when few systems were available around the world. In addition to prostate cancer, Dr. Mistry has a strong interest in the management of male factor infertility and the impact of changes in testosterone level as men grow older.

He started his solo practice in the Austin and Greater Williamson County area in 2007 based on a desire to give state of the art urologic care, be accessible and be willing to go the extra mile to get answers for his patients.

Dr. Mistry is married and has six wonderful children.

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DR. MEGAN MCCOIN

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Megan McCoin, MD, is an obstetrician and gynecologist (ob-gyn) at Ascension Seton in Austin, TX. She listens to understand you and your preferences as a woman. Then, she works with you to deliver compassionate, personalized prenatal care throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery. Dr. McCoin has a special interest in providing compassionate care in both the obstetrical and gynecological setting. When not caring for patients, she enjoys reading, running and traveling.

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TARA JOYNER

Counselor, MA, LPC

Tara Joyner (herself, an former infertility patient) is a licensed professional counselor with a private practice in Austin who, for nearly a decade, has helped bring healing to couples and individuals faced with infertility, intimacy barriers and other challenges.

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AMANDA JESTER

Attorney

Representing private equity funds, hospitals, surgery centers, home, health agencies, physician practices and specialized service providers, myriad of players in the healthcare industry benefit from Amanda Jester’s ability to structure and execute sophisticated transactions. Amanda’s deal experience is complemented by her ability to help navigate clients through the regulatory and compliance issues that often arise in complex corporate transactions.

An integral member of Waller’s expansive national healthcare department, Amanda brought her cutting edge skill-set to the firm in 2013 to guide investors, owners and operators in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, contracting and compliance issues. Whether she is representing private equity funds investing in national dental service organizations or advising healthcare portfolio companies as they examine strategic investment opportunities, Amanda is a trusted partner for the rapidly growing private equity and venture capital backed presence in today’s healthcare market.

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MARY-LYNN DUNN

Advisory Board

Originating Branch Manager at Crosscountry Mortgage

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ASHLEY BRUECKNER

Advisory Board

Ashley Brueckner is a Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. As a leader of the Austin Market, Ashley oversees a group of Advisors who specialize in advising affluent clients and institutions, helping them think through their complex needs in order to make the best possible financial decisions. 

Ashley engages with key leaders and strategic partners, playing an influential role in broadening J.P. Morgan’s impact on the community. In her multifaced role, Ashley has collaborated with some of the most prominent families and institutions in the region and leverages this experience to build an environment of excellence for her team. Her focus is on bridging the gap between the global resources of an industry leader and the differentiated needs of her clients in Austin. 

“Passionate” and “enthusiastic” are apt descriptors for Ashley’s approach to her role. Ashley’s clients value her devotion to them, as well as her sound, straightforward advice that’s always focused on their best interests. A natural and enthusiastic connector, Ashley has a talent for making introductions, whether linking like-minded entrepreneurs or providing networking opportunities for companies and capital providers. Ashley is passionate about supporting women founders and investors, and chaired the first PowerHER conference for 250 female business leaders in Austin. 

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KATIE NIKAH

Board Member

Valued Member of the Board Since 2025.

Katie joined the FFOTX Board in 2025, bringing both professional expertise in nutrition and a deeply personal connection to the Foundation’s mission. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she began her journey in service through the Peace Corps following her graduation from The Ohio State University. Her dedication to community health led her to pursue a Master of Public Health at The University of Texas at Austin.

As a former FFOTX grant recipient and adoptive mom, Katie offers a uniquely compassionate perspective. Her own path to parenthood fuels her commitment to supporting individuals and families navigating fertility challenges. She is passionate about advancing the Foundation’s mission through education, advocacy, and emotional support.

Outside of her work, Katie enjoys pottery, yoga, and gardening. She lives in Austin with her husband and three children, and cherishes time spent with family and friends.