Leah Bressler, M.D., M.P.H.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Raleigh Location Raleigh, NC
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
I have been to 5 fertility clinics and seen 6 fertility doctors. Dr. Bressler and Shady Grove was hands down my best experience…by a landslide. Dr. B made me feel like an important individual. I can’t say enough good things about this practice and about Dr B.

Dr. Bressler and the team at Shady Grove Fertility are the absolute best! From the moment I walked in, I felt like family! Their genuine care and support along with their efficiency in getting appointments and running on schedule make them stand out as the best in the area. 

The entire staff at SGF were amazing, but Dr. B was a vital part of why I would choose this clinic again. She was extremely personable, calling with any and all updates & even making sure to be there when we had a scare very early on in my pregnancy.

Dr. Bressler was so helpful and kind. She even was the physician that completed the IVF implantation resulting in my successful pregnancy!! I adore this practice because of the kind staff like her.

Hands down the best experience overall. Thank you again, Dr. Bressler and Shady Grove Fertility Carolinas, we are over the moon.

Biography

Leah Bressler, M.D., M.P.H., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). She grew up in Clinton, North Carolina and sparked an early love of science while attending the North Carolina School of Science and Math. From there, she went on to attend UNC Chapel Hill as a Morehead scholar. Dr. Bressler earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School while also completing her Master’s in Public Health. She then completed her residency in OB/GYN at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Cook County Hospitals in Chicago, Illinois. From there, Dr. Bressler completed her REI fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

Prior to joining SGF, Dr. Bressler served as the Medical Director, Director of Third-Party Reproduction, Associate Fellowship Program Director, and Residency Rotation Director at UNC. As an avid researcher, she has first-author publications in the top REI journals such as Human Reproduction, Fertility & Sterility, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Bressler is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).  

Dr. Bressler provides patient care at SGF’s Raleigh, North Carolina, location. She is also the founder of knitwix, a company that utilizes organic and physical chemistry principles to improve textile performance in women’s intimate apparel. Since 2021, Dr. Bressler has served as a consultant for a U.S. Department of Defense project to design an in-flight bladder relief system for female fighter pilots. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf with her partner and friends, watching her kids play sports, running, and baking.  

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Cook County Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois 
  • Fellowship: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
  • Top 10% of General Reviewers for Obstetrics & Gynecology 
  • Chief Resident (Education), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of OB/GYN 
  • American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist (ACOG) 
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)  
  • Society for Reproductive Investigation 
  • Kelleher AM, Bressler LH, Young SL, Spencer TE. Chapter 10: The Structure, Function, and Evaluation of the Female Reproductive Tract In: Yen and Jaffe’s Reproductive Endocrinology, 9th edition: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management. Strauss JF, Barbieri RL, Dokras A, Williams CJ and Williams SZ (eds.) Elsevier, July 2023.
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Fritz MA, Wu SP, Yuan L, Kafer S, Wang T, DeMayo FJ, Young SL. Poor Endometrial Proliferation after Clomiphene is Associated with Altered Estrogen Action. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2021 Sep;106(9)2547-2565.  
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Papworth B, Moustafa S, Chang A, Mersereau J. Does empiric superovulation improve fecundity in healthy women undergoing therapeutic donor insemination without a male partner? Fertility and Sterility. 2020 Jan;113(1):114-120. 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Mersereau J, Anderson C, Rodriguez J, Hodgson M, Weinberg C, Sandler D, Nichols H. Fertility-related experiences after breast cancer diagnosis in the NIEHS Sister Study and Two Sister Study Survivor Survey, Cancer. 2019 Aug 1;125(15):2675-2683. 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Bernardi L, Snyder M, Wei J, Bulun S. Treatment of Endometriosis-Related Chronic Pelvic Pain with Ulipristal Acetate and Associated Endometrial Changes. J Reprod Med Gynecol Obstet. 2017;(2):008. 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Bernardi L, De Chavez P, Baird D, Carnethon M, Marsh E. Alcohol, cigarette smoking, and ovarian reserve in reproductive-age African-American women. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2016 Dec;215(6):758.e1-758.e9. 
  • Rossi B, Hawkins Bressler L, Correia K, Lipskind S, Hornstein M, Missmer A. Lifestyle and in vitro fertilization: what do patients believe? Fertility Research and Practice.2016 Oct 12;2:11 
  • Hawkins Bressler L, Correia K, Srouji S, Hornstein M, Missmer, S. Factors associated with second-trimester pregnancy loss in women with normal uterine anatomy undergoing IVF. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2015 Mar;125(3):621-627.  
  • Bailey A, Hawkins L, Missmer S, Correia K, Yanushpolsky E. Effect of body mass index on IVF outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014 Aug;211(2):163.e1-6.  
  • Hawkins L, Schnettler W, Hacker M, Modest A, Rodriguez D. Association of third-trimester abdominal circumference with provider-initiated preterm delivery. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2014 Aug;27(12):1228-31.  
  • Hawkins L, Missmer S, Correia K, Hornstein M. Assessment of pregnancy-associated, within-woman change in uterine length. Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine,2014 Jul;27(10):989-93. 
  • Hawkins L, Rossi B, Correia K, Lipskind S, Hornstein M, Missmer S. Perceptions among infertile couples of lifestyle behaviors and IVF success. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics.2014 Mar;31(3):255-60.  
  • Hawkins L, Correia K, Srouji S, Hornstein M, Missmer S. Uterine length and fertility outcomes: a cohort study in the IVF population. Human Reproduction2013 Nov;28(11):3000-6.  
  • Hawkins L, Gottlieb B. Screening for eating disorders in pregnancy: how uniform screening during a high-risk period could minimize under-recognition. Journal of Women’s Health. 2013 Apr;22(4):390-2. 

Q&A

I originally sought a medical degree with plans to become an orthopedic surgeon after a positive experience having back surgery. The gift of health, made possible through the advances of modern medicine, was something I wanted to give back. As an REI, I’m able to use cutting-edge technologies to do what I consider the most important work on earth: fulfill dreams of parenthood.  

A desire to advocate for women and the LGBTQ+ community initially interested me in OB/GYN. While pursuing a master’s in public health in reproductive epidemiology, a mentor suggested I work with an REI physician. On the first day in the clinic, I realized that REI is the best job in the world. REI combines science, heart, and a little bit of magic. 

SGF’s focus is the patient experience. They employ open-minded, creative, and continual efforts to optimize it. I’m proud of SGF’s success rates and feel that they derive not only from the skillful implementation of current, curated evidence-based practice but also from these important efforts to make patients feel at home and at ease.

When I meet with a patient, I first take a moment to orient myself to their journey and consider how they may feel. I then frame my approach based on their energy and emotions to ensure they feel listened to and heard. Patients entrust us with the most critical milestones in their reproductive life course; the weight of that responsibility is something I take very seriously.   

My father devoted his life to being a pastor. Watching him fulfill what he considered his calling on earth, and find joy in being strong in others’ times of need, inspires me. I benefited from his skillset firsthand when he was my main support person after back surgery as a kid. He showed me what it means to emotionally shoulder others’ burdens. While I learned the science elsewhere, my dad taught me the critically important lessons I use most in my daily work. 

I’m an extrovert and enjoy being part of a team. I like to relate to people and find commonalities with others. 

Watching the Carolina Panthers win the Super Bowl one of these days!  

I love to play golf because I enjoy being outside with my partner and friends. I like watching our kids enjoy themselves playing sports or spending time with grandparents. I like to go running to clear my head. 

2024 Shady Grove Fertility

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