Vena M Wilson, LCSW

As the Medical and Laboratory Director at Columbia University Fertility Center, Eric Forman, MD, HCLD, oversees the medical practice as well as the IVF embryology and andrology laboratories. He also actively sees patients with infertility and those seeking to preserve their fertility. Dr. Forman has extensive clinical and laboratory research experience. He has published more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals on a wide range of topics in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and serves as an Associate Editor at Fertility and Sterility. He has a special interest in using preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) to optimize IVF and improve selection for elective single embryo transfer (eSET). A randomized controlled trial he led demonstrated, for the first time, that transferring a single chromosomally-normal embryo can achieve the same live birth rates as transferring two untested embryos. After publication of this paper, eSET rates skyrocketed and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine references Dr. Forman’s study in its guideline on the number of embryos to transfer in IVF. He also has an interest in fertility preservation, and a study he led proved that egg freezing using the rapid vitrification technology does not increase the risk of genetic abnormalities in the resulting embryos. This study was cited as a “watershed in ART” by one of the world’s leading experts on cryopreservation. Dr. Forman specializes in providing individualized patient care to solve each unique couple’s challenge. He is active on social media where he frequently writes blogs and commentaries on important topics in reproductive medicine and the patient/physician experience. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When not working, Dr. Forman enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and four cats; running (including completing the 2016 NYC Marathon with Team Every Mother Counts); and rooting on his favorite sports teams, the Mets, Jets, Knicks, Rangers and Duke Blue Devils.

Bowen Spottswood is a clinician in Columbia’s Accelerated DBT Program, Intensive Adolescent and Family Program, and Faculty Practice Organization. She competed her Master’s in Social Work at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW), where she was a student in the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training Program. She is intensively trained in DBT through Behavioral Tech, LLC. Bowen has expertise in the treatment of adults and adolescents with suicidal behaviors, self injury, and borderline personality disorder. She provides evidence-based care including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and DBT to individuals and groups. Bowen received her B.A. in Religion with a minor in Poverty and Human Capability Studies from Washington and Lee University.