Your Patient Care Team at WVFC
The Team Approach
West Valley Fertility Center's overriding objective is to provide an efficient, and successful mechanism for helping infertile couples achieve their life's dream of having a baby. Our team incorporates a dedicated physician, nurse practitioner, embryologists, reproductive technologist, IVF coordinator, Third Party Parenting coordinator, infertility therapist, medical assistants, and administrative personnel. We are committed to providing the highest quality medical care in a sensitive and caring environment. If you have any questions please contact our IVF Coordinator, and she will be happy to answer them for you.
Dianne Smith, PhD
Scientific Consultant
Dr. Dianne Smith received her B.A. degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada in 1961. Graduate training was obtained at the University of Pennsylvania where Ph.D. research on implantation in the mouse was carried out in the laboratory of J.D. Biggers, D.V.M., D.Sc, one of the pioneer research workers in the field of mammalian embryo culture. Further experience and training in the molecular biology and morphology of early development was gained at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA and in two postdoctoral assignments in California.
Dr. Smith spent several years as Assistant Professor in the Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments at Harvard Medical School. In 1983, in conjunction with M.L. Taymor, M.D., she set up the first IVF lab. in Boston at Harvard's Beth Israel Hospital. This was one of the early IVF programs in the U.S. and marked a transition from basic research to clinical IVF for Dr. Smith.
Moving west again in 1984, Dr. Smith resuscitated IVF programs, maintained and advanced others and set up new IVF and andrology labs in California. She is the author of a number of refereed papers and abstracts in Reproductive Biology and is board certified as a high complexity laboratory director. She joined Dr. Troche at West Valley Fertility Center early in 1998.
Miok Humme, BS, ELD, TS
Embryology Laboratory Director
Miok Humme received her B.S. degree in 1997 from the University of Arizona, Tucson. She began working in ART in 1989 and trained with Dr. Christina Bastias at Vanderbilt University. She received her Technical Supervisor Certificate from ABB in 1999; joined Dr. Troche at West Valley Fertility Center in 2000 and obtained Embryology Laboratory Director (ELD) in 2003. She is also a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Miok enjoys hiking, fishing and gathering with her family when not at work.
Ann Collins, WHNP
Nurse Practitioner
Ann Collins is a Board-Certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1984, and her Master of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in 2006. She was nominated Student of the Year in the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program at Arizona State University. She has over 18 years experience in perinatal nursing, has been clinical instructor for Glendale Community College as well as clinical research nurse for Matria Healthcare. She has published articles in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Journal for Nurse Practitioners.
She conducted research in perinatal outcomes among ethnic groups, and presented at the Western Institute of Nursing Annual Conference in 2006. Ann is a member of the American Nursing Association, Sigma Theta Tau and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health. Ann enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys. She joined the staff of West Valley Fertility Center in 2006.
Kori Garcia
IVF Coordinator
Kori Garcia Graduated in 1994 as a Certified Nurse Assistant from the Vocational Technical Education Center (VTEC) while in her Junior Year of High School. During her Senior Year, she attended night classes at the Bryman School of Arizona and graduated as a Medical Assistant in 1995. Kori joined the medical team of West Valley Fertility Center in 1995. Working along side Dr Troche in all aspects of patient care and treatment, her infertility knowledge and experience is expansive. Kori was promoted to IVF Coordinator in 2004. She is currently enrolled in the Nursing Program at Glendale Community College to further her education and bring more to West Valley Fertility Center. When not working or going to school, Kori enjoys spending time with her children and traveling with her family.
Laura L. Troche, RNC
Third Party Parenting Coordinator
Laura Troche RNC is a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 1981 and a Master's of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1995. She began working with WVFC since its creation and has functioned as an IVF Coordinator, Education Coordinator, OSHA Coordinator and most recently as Third Party Parenting Coordinator. In 2005 she developed the Egg Donor Program at WVFC and has expanded it to include all Third Party Parenting options. She's a member of the Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses since 1980 and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. When not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, traveling, and cooking.
Last updated:
June 4, 2008
Reviewed by Dr. Vladimir Troche and his medical staff