Maggie McKay (Host): Welcome to Time to Talk Fertility: Beyond the Lab Coat, a podcast from Fertility Centers of Illinois. Join us as we go behind the scenes with Dr. Meike Uhler, reproductive endocrinologist, to discover what inspires her work, how she connects with patients, and what drives her passion for helping families grow. Real stories, real purpose, real care.

I'm your host, Maggie McKay. Thank you so much for being here. Would you please share your full name and credentials?

Dr. Meike Uhler: Yes. My full name is Dr. Meike Uhler. I am a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist, and I am a physician at the Fertility Centers of Illinois.

Host: So, what inspired you to pursue medicine, specifically reproductive endocrinology?

Dr. Meike Uhler: What inspired me to pursue medicine was when I was in medical school, I did a rotation in obstetrics and gynecology as all students do. And I asked one of my professors to do research in the field of reproductive endocrinology, and I was really inspired by him, the patients that he saw, and the research that he did. So, that is how I started my interest in this field.

Host: And what do you find most rewarding about your work?

Dr. Meike Uhler: The most rewarding part of my work is when I am able to help a patient build a family. I think that is such a significant change to their lives, and I'm privileged to be part of that process.

Host: I bet. What a huge deal. I mean, I can't really think of anything more rewarding actually. Is there a particular moment that reaffirmed why you chose this field?

Dr. Meike Uhler: I love when my patients come back into the office and bring their babies. So, every time they do that, we have this special celebration that halloween time where we reserve two hours, we close the office and former patients of ours can come in with their babies or their children and everyone's dressed up. And it is just a time to connect with our patients who have families. And I think every one of those moments is so special.

Host: That is so fun. What a great idea. How do you hope to make a difference in your patients lives?

Dr. Meike Uhler: I hope to make two differences in my patients' lives. One, I hope to help them with their family building. Two, if they're not able to have a family, I hope that their experience with us has been a positive experience. So, I hope to make that difference in my patients' lives.

Host: And what drives your passion for helping individuals and families on their journey to parenthood? Because like you said, it is such a significant journey.

Dr. Meike Uhler: It is. And the journey for helping individuals and families to parenthood can be long for some people. It can take multiple attempts, many visits to the office, but I think the end result, for most patients is worth it, and that is what drives my passion for helping patients have their families.

Host: Right. Dr. Uhler, how would you describe your approach to patient care?

Dr. Meike Uhler: My approach to patient care is very individualized. I like to hear exactly what their background is. What their problems have been, what have they done in the past in terms of testing and evaluation and what we can do to help them. So, I take care for history and I try to listen carefully to what they're telling me.

Host: And what's most important to you when you're guiding a patient through treatment?

Dr. Meike Uhler: The most important part of guiding a patient through treatment for me is that they understand what they're doing, and that what they're doing is what they envision for their journey. So, I hope to help them in whatever way they think is best for them to build their families.

Host: How do you help patients feel supported and empowered throughout their journey? Because I'm sure you need to give them a lot of support, because it's an emotional time.

Dr. Meike Uhler: I think that our patients are supported and empowered through our practice, which is Fertility Centers of Illinois. We have an incredible team of nurses. We have embryologists, a clinical psychologist. We have ultrasonographers, phlebotomists. We have every possible type of support that I think a patient needs. And at different times, that patient will need different parts of support from our practice. But I'm happy to be part of a large practice who can offer patients the support and the technology that they need.

Host: And how do you balance science, technology, and empathy in your work?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So to balance science and technology and empathy, we try to, again, offer what we have. Sometimes patients want a complementary medicine, we can do that. Offer them our partners who do yoga, acupuncture, if that's something that they feel would help with their journey. We do, as I mentioned, have a clinical psychologist if the patient feels that extra support is needed. So, we try to look at the whole patient. We also have patient webinars on our website directed toward multiple topics that they can use as a resource.

Host: What are your special areas of clinical interest? And what draws you to them?

Dr. Meike Uhler: My area of special interest is actually in male infertility. When I was a faculty member at a university, I did extra research in male infertility. It also happened to be I did my thesis in fellowship on male infertility. So, that's my special interest. We are lucky to have a male infertility specialist in our practice. And he is an excellent resource for our patients. So, that just happens to be my special clinical interest.

Host: So, let's talk about your education and your expertise. Where did you complete your medical education, your residency, and your fellowship training?

Dr. Meike Uhler: You know, I went to medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans. And then, I did my residency at Northwestern in Chicago. And then, I did my reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at UCLA. So, I've been kind of all over the place to get my education, but I wanted to go to the best place possible, best program. But I am originally from the Midwest, so that's why I'm back in the Chicagoland area. But I've been kind of all over the country to get my education.

Host: Nice. Was there something you learned along the way that continues to shape your approach today?

Dr. Meike Uhler: The factors that I've learned along the way that continue to shape my approach is to be very thorough and to understand what each patient needs and what is the best way to help that patient.

Host: And what excites you most about the future of reproductive medicine?

Dr. Meike Uhler: The future of reproductive medicine is very exciting. Because when I first started many years ago, the pregnancy rates associated with our treatment were low, and I have just seen it go up and increase with every passing year that technology is getting better and better. Patients are transferring one embryo to give the best chance of having a healthy baby. So, I think there's only going to be an upside to our specialty as we continue to further research and our technology.

Host: That's so encouraging. What accomplishment in your practice or career are you most proud of?

Dr. Meike Uhler: In my practice of Fertility Centers of Illinois, I happen to be the director of research. And I think that research is a fundamental part of any specialty. So at our practice, we foster research, we try and participate in research projects that not only help the patients with their treatment, but also helps move science forward.

Host: Dr. Uhler, do you speak any additional languages?

Dr. Meike Uhler: I wish I could say yes. I did take four years of French in high school and in college. But unfortunately, I think I should have chosen Spanish because I don't have much opportunity to speak French at all. A lot of patients speak Spanish, so I wish I would've chosen another language, but I did take many years of French throughout my high school and college years.

Host: What do your patients often say they appreciate most about working with you?

Dr. Meike Uhler: I think my patients appreciate that I'm very direct with them, most of the time. I try to tell them the facts. I try to give them numbers when I can, in terms of their pregnancy rates, what they have to do, this type of medicine, this many days. I try to be as direct as I can because I think when we give patients the facts, that is the best way for them to understand their situation.

Host: How do you build trust and meaningful connection with your patients?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So, I build trust and meaningful connection by trying to always be aware of what my patients are doing. So, I am on top of their treatment. I know what they're doing, and I follow their journey very closely.

Host: So when it comes to patients who are feeling anxious or discouraged, what advice do you often share with them?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So, patients who are anxious or discouraged is very common because the journey can be long and frustrating. So, I offer them various resources. So, we have our clinical psychologist. We have partners that we work with and yoga and acupuncture. I do try to ask them if they exercise or what is their outlet for stress. I mean, do they play music? Do they like to paint? So, I try to get that part of them to focus on that part that helps them decrease stress.

Host: What message of encouragement would you share with those still hoping to build their family?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So, I would like to share with patients who are still hoping to build their family that it may take some time during the journey several steps. But fortunately, most of our patients will have a baby with enough time and enough treatment. So, I encourage them to stay and keep going, be persistent, and hopefully most of our patients will meet their goal.

Host: What's one lesson your patients have taught you?

Dr. Meike Uhler: My patients have taught me that patients can be incredibly thoughtful. I'll never forget when it was Mother's Day, one weekend, and my patients wished me Happy Mother's Day knowing that they were not mothers themselves. So, that's when I know a patient is truly kind.

Host: Outside of medicine, what brings you joy or balance? What do you love to do for fun? Hobbies, interests, like you have any extra time.

Dr. Meike Uhler: Well, I do, I have played the piano my whole life as one of my hobbies. I am not good at it, because I don't practice as much as I should, but I do enjoy it. I also like to sing. I love to read murder mysteries. So, I'm always reading. Every day, I'm reading something, but I have a very narrow range of books that I like to read. So, I like to read murder mysteries every once in a while, action thrillers. And I do exercise. So, those are the things that I like to do as hobbies and interests.

Host: What's something people might be surprised to learn about you?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So, something that patients might be surprised to learn about me is that I like to bake. I have a really bad sweet tooth. And so, I like to bake. And the more calories, the better.

Host: The more butter, the better for me. What three words best describe you?

Dr. Meike Uhler: The three words that describe me would be that I am thorough, I am punctual, and I try to be professional at all times with my patients.

Host: Let's change gears a little and talk about some fun personal interests. What's the best concert you've ever been to?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So a few years ago, we went to see Paul McCartney. And I have to say that was an incredible concert. It was in Madison, Wisconsin, and I counted at least 10 different instruments that he played. Many of them were guitars and I believe at least two or three keyboards. But he is an incredibly talented musician. And that was one of the best counselors I've ever seen.

Host: Agreed. He is amazing live. And still, he's so talented. Like you said, all those instruments. If you had to pick one ice cream flavor for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So, my favorite ice cream flavor is coffee. I love that flavor. And as a treat, once a year on my birthday only, I get to go to Cold Stone Creamery and get their coffee lover's ice cream.

Host: Wait, you only eat ice cream once a year.

Dr. Meike Uhler: No, that's my special one at Coldstone. It's got a lot of calories in it.

Host: Sounds good. Speaking of coffee, how do you take yours?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So again, owing to my sweet tooth, I do like my coffee with sugar and lots of cream.

Host: That's okay. Are you an indoor or outdoor person?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So, I am an indoor person. My husband is an outdoor person. My favorite part is when I am inside under my blanket or my quilt and reading my novel. That's the best part of my day.

Host: Are you a breakfast or dinner person?

Dr. Meike Uhler: I am a breakfast person. I love breakfast food. I could eat breakfast for dinner. So sometimes if I am at dinner by myself and I don't know what to cook, I'll make myself an omelet.

Host: Good idea. When a patient is looking for a fertility clinic, what should they be looking for when they're choosing?

Dr. Meike Uhler: So I think the most important part of choosing a fertility clinic is experience. So, a fertility clinic needs to have experience and depth to handle complicated problems. So, this is something that a patient should look for. They should look at the physicians, the embryologist, and see what they've done in the past and their level of services that they provide, whether it's a broad level and can they take care of the most complicated patients. Because if they can, then that is a good sign of an experienced fertility clinic.

Host: What would you say sets Fertility Centers of illinois apart from other fertility clinics?

Dr. Meike Uhler: I do believe that our practice has the experience, the breadth and depth of all the most up-to-date innovative care for fertility. We are the largest providers of fertility in the Midwest. We have 13 doctors who are all experienced in various aspects. We have a dozen embryologists who are experienced. We have the care teams that we need. We have the third party team, we have all of our nurses. We have a nursing education team. We have so many levels of care that I think a place like our practice is highly qualified to provide the patient with the best care and the best outcome possible in their family building.

Host: It sounds like you guys have everything covered that anybody would need going through this. So, thank you so much for being here today. It's been a pleasure getting to know you, and we appreciate you sharing your expertise.

Dr. Meike Uhler: Thank you very much for inviting me.

Host: Again, that's Dr. Meike Uhler. And if you'd like to find out more, please visit fcionline.com/doctors. I'm Maggie McKay. Thanks for listening to Time to Talk Fertility: Beyond the Lab Coat, a podcast from Fertility Centers of Illinois.