George Patounakis, M.D., Ph.D. 

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Patient Testimonial
I highly recommend Dr. Quaas and SGF! He was attentive, thorough, and kind. I also like that I saw him for every ultrasound appointment and he was very involved in my care. They’re an incredible team and I appreciate what they have done for me.

Dr. Quaas is the kindest, most caring doctor. The team is truly the best and they really care about the patients. It’s a new practice, but I truly believe Dr. Quaas and the team understand the research and have great success rates. My husband and I are so grateful!

Amazing care! Dr. Quaas and his team are so proficient, professional, caring and understanding.

Biography

George Patounakis, M.D., Ph.D. is a highly accomplished reproductive endocrinologist dedicated to helping individuals and couples build their families. His journey in medicine began with a deep-rooted passion for combining patient care with the advancements of infertility research, which continues to inspire his daily practice. 

Dr. Patounakis completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and went on to pursue a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. His extensive training at NIH has equipped him with the expertise and insight needed to provide top-tier, personalized care in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

In his personal life, Dr. Patounakis cherishes spending time with his family, who are his greatest source of joy and inspiration. He is also a maker and enjoys creative projects involving 3D printing and electronics — hobbies that merge problem-solving with hands-on crafting, offering him both relaxation and a fulfilling way to express his creativity. 

As an experienced physician in central Florida, Dr. Patounakis is excited to continue his work in helping more patients achieve their family-building goals at SGF’s Davenport, Florida, locations. 

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland  
  • Best New Investigator Poster Award – Society of Reproductive Investigation, 2016 
  • Resident Research Award  
  • Dr. B. Frank Lovett Memorial Fund Award  
  • Jefferson OB/GYN Apple Pin (for excellence in teaching medical students), 2010, 2012  
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)  
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)  
  • Kim J, Patounakis G, Juneau CR, Morin SJ, Neal S, Bergh P, Seli E, Scott RT Jr. The Appraisal of Body Content (ABC) trial: increased male or female adiposity does not significantly impact in vitro fertilization laboratory of clinical outcomes. Fertil Steril 2021; 116(2):444-52. 
  • Tiegs AW, Tao X, Zhan Y, Whitehead C, Kim J, Hanson B, Osman E, Kim TJ, Patounakis G, Gutmann J, Castlebaum A, Seli E, Jalas C, Scott RT Jr. A multicenter, prospective, blinded, nonselection study evaluating the predictive value of an aneuploid diagnosis using a targeted next-generation sequencing-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy assay and impact of biopsy. Fertil Steril 2021;115:627-37. 
  • Juneau CR, Tiegs AW, Franasiak JM, Whitehead C, Patounakis G, Scott RT Jr. Embryo’s natural motion (enMotion): a paired randomized controlled trial evaluating a dynamic embryo culture system. Fertil Steril 2020;113:578-86. 
  • Kim J, Juneau C, Patounakis G, Morin S, Neal S, Seli E, Scott RT Jr. The appraisal of body content (ABC) trial: obesity does not significantly impact gamete production in infertile man and women. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020;36:2733-42. 
  • Neal S, Morin S, Werner M, Gueye N-A, Pirtea P, Patounakis G, Scott RT Jr, Goodman L. Three-dimensional ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome following single thawed euploid blastocyst transfer: prospective cohort study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2020;56:611-7. 
  • Green KA, Patounakis G, Dougherty MP, Werner MD, Scott RT Jr, Franasiak JM. Sperm DNA fragmentation on the day of fertilization is not associated with embryologic or clinical outcomes after IVF/ICSI. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020;37:71-6. 
  • Hong KH, Franasiak JM, Werner MM, Patounakis G, Juneau CR, Forman EJ, Scott RT Jr. Embryonic aneuploidy rates are equivalent in natural cycles and gonadotropin-stimulated cycles. Fertil Steril 2019;112:670-6. 
  • Tiegs AW, Sun L, Patounakis G, Scott RT Jr. Worth the wait? Day 7 blastocysts have lower euploidy rates but similar sustained implantation rates as Day 5 and Day 6 blastocysts. Hum Reprod 2019;34:1632-9. 
  • Patounakis G, Hill MJ. The preimplantation genetic testing debate continues: first the hype, then the tension, now the hypertension? Fertil Steril 2019;112:233-4. 
  • Patounakis G, Hill MJ. Adjusting for age: is it enough to just say you did it? Fertil Steril 2019;111:260-1. 
  • Franasiak JM, Forman EJ, Patounakis G, Hong KH, Werner MD, Upham KM, Treff NR, Scott RT Jr. Investigating the impact of the timing of blastulation on implantation: management of embryo-endometrial synchrony improves outcomes. Hum Reprod Open 2018;4:hoy022. 
  • Morin SJ, Patounakis G, Juneau CR, Neal SA, Scott RT Jr, Seli E. Diminished ovarian reserve and poor response to stimulation in patients <38 years old: a quantitative but not qualitative reduction in performance. Hum Reprod 2018;33:1489-98. 
  • Hill MJ, Healy MW, Richter KS, Parikh T, Devine K, DeCherney AH, Levy M, Widra E, Patounakis G. Defining thresholds for abnormal premature progesterone levels during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction technologies. Fertil Steril 2018;110:671-9. 
  • Patounakis G, Hill MJ. Complexities and potential pitfalls of clinical study design and data analysis in assisted reproduction. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2018;30:139-44. 
  • Hill MJ, Connell MT, Patounakis G. Clinical trial registry alone is not adequate: on the perception of possible endpoint switching and P-hacking. Hum Reprod 2018;33:341-2. 
  • Franasiak J, Kaser D, Goodman L, Patounakis G, Juneau C, Morin S, Neal S, Schlaff W, Scott R. Characterization of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowship applicants: guiding our mentees toward success. Fertil Res Pract 2017 8;3:18. 

Q&A

I chose to become a reproductive endocrinologist because of my passion for helping people achieve their dreams of building a family. This field uniquely blends the fulfillment of direct patient care with the innovative and ever-evolving nature of infertility research. Witnessing the profound joy of patients when they succeed in their fertility journey motivates me daily. My commitment extends beyond the clinic, as I believe that advancing research can open new doors for future patients and improve outcomes for those facing infertility.

What makes me most proud about joining SGF is our unwavering dedication to patient-centered care paired with a strong focus on translational research. Our team strives to provide compassionate, personalized treatment while integrating the latest scientific advancements. This combination ensures that patients receive cutting-edge care tailored to their specific needs, with the confidence that we are always pushing forward to improve and innovate.

When working with patients who are struggling, my approach is to prioritize empathy and active listening. I aim to create a safe space where patients feel heard, understood, and supported. Validating their emotions is an essential part of this process, as the journey through fertility treatment can be emotionally challenging. I work closely with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with their goals and needs, guiding them with clear, honest communication and unwavering support. My goal is to empower patients with knowledge and a compassionate roadmap that offers both hope and realistic pathways forward.

One of the most exciting goals on my bucket list is to visit outer space. The idea of experiencing the vastness of space, seeing Earth from above, and being part of such an extraordinary adventure captivates my sense of curiosity and wonder.

In my spare time, I cherish moments spent with my family, as they are my greatest source of joy and inspiration. Beyond family time, I am a maker at heart. I love engaging in creative projects that involve 3D printing and electronics, which allow me to blend problem-solving with hands-on crafting. These hobbies not only satisfy my passion for innovation but also provide a fun and relaxing way to express creativity and stay mentally engaged outside of work.