Our expert providers offer comprehensive yet highly individualized boutique care in both conventional and assisted reproductive technology (ART). We practice a team approach to medicine at Overlake Reproductive Health. Our fertility specialists collaborate together in order to ensure that all of our patients receive the same high level of care. Your treatment will be customized to meet your specific clinical, emotional and financial needs.
All medical decisions about treatment are discussed by the medical staff and a single consensus is reached on how to best proceed. No matter who you see for your initial appointment or reconference, you will receive the same message. This approach allows us to take advantage of the varied experiences of our entire team when customizing treatment plans.
Meet Our Fertility Specialists
Kevin M. Johnson, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Johnson is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and one of the few board certified Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialists in Washington State. Dr. Johnson has had a full-time Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology / Infertility practice since 1991. Dr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. His residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology was completed at the University of Tennessee at Memphis in 1989 and he completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Johnson has maintained relationships in The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies, The Society of Reproductive Surgeons, The Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, The Seattle Gynecological Society as well as the Washington State Medical Association. He is a nationally recognized expert in endometriosis and has given presentations at medical conferences and symposia across the country. In addition, Dr. Johnson has served on Swedish Hospital Medical Center’s Surgery Laparoscopy Committee, Laser Advisory Committee, and the Minimally Invasive Surgery Committee.
“My role as a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialist is to provide the very best cutting-edge clinical care available. But that’s not all. I believe that it is also my responsibility to pay attention to a couple’s emotional well-being, acting as a cheerleader if need-be to encourage a couple to keep trying when I believe we will be successful. It also means gently letting a couple know when we have done all that can be done and help those couples explore other parenting options.”
Khurram S. Rehman, MD
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Dr. Rehman is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is also board certified Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialists in Washington State. Dr. Rehman joined our practice in August of 2007, and is excited to be an essential part of the growing family at Overlake Reproductive Health.
Dr. Rehman graduated from St. George’s Hospital Medical School at the University of London, England, where he also earned his B.S. in Basic Medical Sciences with Pharmacology. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He then fulfilled his fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, before practicing in the North Dallas area for two years.
Dr. Rehman is a member of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Washington State Medical Association, and the Norman F. Miller Gynecologic Society. He has presented research on scoring the quality of human embryos at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Annual Meeting and this work was published in a national medical journal in 2007.
“As a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Specialist, I’m aware that we not only provide the latest medical and scientific advancements in fertility treatment to our patients, but we’re helping them to start or grow their families. I aim to provide personalized care and to help guide our patients through the challenges that they face. It’s a great privilege to see many of them achieve their goal of parenthood.”
ARNPs
Josephine Gray, BSN, ARNP
Nurse Practitioner/IVF Coordinator
A Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Washington School of Nursing, Jo practiced for 18 years as a nurse practitioner in a suburban OB/GYN practice and as a clinician in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of Washington prior to joining Overlake Reproductive Health in April of 1998.
A twenty-year veteran of ORH, she has worn many hats over the years and helped shape the clinic’s policies and procedures always with a focus on patient care and positive outcomes.
“Each patient presents a unique clinical and personal picture. It is exciting and satisfying to be part of a team committed to the design and implementation of tailored patient care.”
When she is not in the midst of coordinating the clinics IVF cycles, Josephine loves to attend Seahawks football games, travel and spend time with her son and daughter who now have families of their own.
Jami Taylor, MSN, APRN,
FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
A Cum Laude graduate of University of Cincinnati, Jami is a new resident to Washington and excited to be here. Women’s Health has always been a passion of Jami’s and a focus in her career. Before starting at Overlake Reproductive Health, Jami practiced as a Registered Nurse in labor and delivery for 6 years in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana with Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She is originally from Michigan and loves being so close to the water now. Jami loves to travel and to spend time outdoors with her husband and dog, Howie.
Dr. Lisa Frank Johnson, MBA HCM
Financial Counselor
With Overlake Reproductive Heath since the very beginning, Lisa is pleased to help patients obtain their goal of completing a family with an exciting array of innovative pricing options. Our Peace Of Mind™ packages are some of the most competitive in the Pacific Northwest, including a 100% refund program where qualifying patients take home a baby or receive their money back.
Fun fact: Lisa started her career as a dentist but is pleased to have found her way into fertility.
Front Office
Julie Atkinson
Patient Service Manager
Born and raised in Washington, Julie is the proud mother of two beautiful girls and one amazing granddaughter. She loves helping patients become parents.
Courtney Mendoza
Front Office
Courtney has worked in healthcare for 13 years and loves animals. As a native of the PNW, she doesn’t mind the rain.
Rachel Houdayer
After completing her education in Vancouver, BC, Rachel settled in Renton with her ‘fur babies’, two cats named Torque and Louie.
Clinical Team
Jubilee Anniskette, CMA
Donor Program Coordinator
Jubilee entered the world of reproductive endocrinology just after having her son. Watching patients battle with fertility helped her appreciate being a mom. She’s proud to support patients as they start and continue to grow their families.
Kristine (Kris) Celmar, MA
Human Resource Manager
Born and raised in San Diego, CA Kris moved to Kent, WA in 2007. Married with 4 kids, 2 dogs and a cat, she excels at wrangling lots of moving parts and partakes in everything at ORH from new patient meetings to helping physicians with surgeries and procedures. Kris recently completed Masters in Health Care Administration.
Megan Urquhart, MA
Megan has been with ORH four years and is a native of Washington state. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and French. Megan is fluent in French! She loves horses and has a West Highland Terrier (Westie) named Simon. One of the perks of working at ORH is that sometimes her dad joins her as part of the anesthesiology team.
Crystal Reyes, MA
Crystal is also born and raised in Washington and has been with ORH for three years. She is an avid lover of the great outdoors and enjoys motorcycling around to all the different gorgeous views. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and currently a student at Bellevue College. Crystal has a beloved Golden Lab named Diego.
Joan Wright, MA
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Joan attended Pima Medical Institute for her Medical Assistant program and is currently attending Bellevue College to further her education in healthcare. She has a beautiful five year old daughter, a chihuahua named Coco, and a kitty named Elvira.
Grace P, MA
Grace is also born and raised in the Seattle Area. She believes in the importance of family and is thrilled to be helping patients grow theirs. Her fur babies include Shiba’s Dooby and Luna.
Embryologists
Highly trained in advanced laboratory techniques, these accredited professionals prepare sperm and eggs and provide the necessary conditions for fertilization and embryo development in vitro. They are also certified to facilitate the growth, development, maturation, and preservation of human embryos, and now eggs!
Jennifer A. DiStefano, MSc, TS (ABB)
Lead Embryologist and Lab Manager
Jennifer DiStefano earned a Master Degree in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds in England where she was able to experience Embryology from all different parts of the world. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Psychology from LeMoyne College in Upstate NY where she also played Division I Girls Lacrosse.
Jen is certified as a Technical Supervisor in Embryology and Andrology by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB). She is a member of the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). She has been working as an Embryologist and supervising laboratories since 2001. Jen also works as a consultant where she specializes in Trophectoderm biopsy training and implementing biopsy programs into infertility clinics across the country.
When Jen is not in the lab, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their animals and riding her horses at her farm in Upstate NY. She finds her job extremely rewarding and takes satisfaction in knowing she is helping people achieve their dream of having a family.
Ellen Marello, TS (ABB)
Senior Embryologist
Ellen Marello, TS (ABB), joined Overlake Reproductive Health as a Senior Embryologist with more than 30 years of experience in assisted reproductive technology. Ellen earned her BS in Animal Physiology from the University of California, Davis. Ellen is certified as a Technical Supervisor from American Board of Bioanalysis in Embryology and Andrology. She has extensive hands on experience in IVF laboratories developing and implementing a full range of procedures, as well as training laboratory personnel, and troubleshooting current lab practices. She is also a traveling consultant with international experience. She is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB). Ellen enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Cristen Haukenberry
Embryologist
Cristen graduated from the University of California, Riverside where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. During her time at UCR, Cristen traveled the world with Herpetologists, Ecologists and Botanists in search of new species of reptiles and amphibians. Her most memorable time abroad was searching for the Rafflesia or “corpse flower” in the pristine mountains of Mount Kinabalu and spending several days with the Iban people of Borneo. After graduation, she received a phone call asking if she would like to work as a Fisheries Biologist in the Bering Sea of Alaska. After a few years of chipping ice on deck, collecting data for NOAA and adventure, Cristen put away her XtraTufs and became an Andrologist and subsequently an Embryologist for Overlake Reproductive Health.
During her spare time, Cristen explores the Pacific Northwest with her husband, daughter, and two precocious toy poodles. She also spends her time advocating for her favorite non-profit, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
Carrie Connaker, BS, MS
Consulting Embryologist
Carrie graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington with a degree in Biochemistry. She subsequently received a Master’s degree in Andrology/Embryology from the world renowned Jones Institute in Norfolk, VA. She has experience from a variety of laboratories, including an environmental testing lab in Anchorage, Alaska, as well as a research laboratory studying antigens that cause cancer using PCR in conjunction with DNA microchip arrays here in Seattle. After coming to Overlake Reproductive Health in April of 2002, she observed that one of the main differences she has noticed between this lab and others is the patient contact.
“I greatly enjoy the patient interaction that comes with the territory here at Overlake Reproductive Health. When we meet individual patients that we are attempting to help, there is an added dimension that does not necessarily come with most research-directed laboratories. We constantly are seeing the human side of our work, which allows us to share more fully in the joys and successes of the clinicians’ daily practice.”
Margaret Merrilees BS
Consulting Embryologist
Margaret is one of the resident medical advisers to the Fertility NZ National Committee. Margaret is an Embryologist and Scientific Director of Fertility Plus in Auckland, New Zealand. She has worked in various fertility clinics internationally.
Lab
Reid Deger, GS (ABB)
Clinical Andrologist
Reid earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Science and Arts from The University of Texas, Austin in Biology with a focus on evolutionary biology, and also studied Business at the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business.
Certified as a CLIA Laboratory General Supervisor by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB), he is also a member of the American Association of Bioanalysis (AAB) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
At Overlake Reproductive Health, Reid keeps our lab CLIA-certified and Joint Commission-accredited in his role as our Laboratory Compliance Officer. As an Andrologist, Reid diagnoses sperm and applies cutting-edge assisted reproductive technology to coax bad sperm into good sperm for use in IUIs and IVF. Additionally, he operates our blood analyzer to provide high-quality diagnostics of patients’ hormone levels.
His favorite part about his job is participating in miraculous feats of modern science to help patients build their families. Reid came from Texas to the Pacific Northwest with his fiancée. His favorite activities include reading, writing, scouting out the best local restaurants, and spending time with his dog Mac.
Christy Solidum
Clinical Andrologist
Christy hails from the Philippines where she attained a Cum Laude with a recognition in Biology from Ateneo de Naga University. Her core undergraduate research involved banana bract to determine its anti-inflammatory and anti-pain inhibitory properties on mice. She is now proud to be working on a team primarily concerned with overall patient care and using ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) to help patients achieve their dream of a family.
An identical twin, Christy is sometimes confused with her sister while out and about as they both live in Bellevue so you may have to look twice.
When not in the lab examining specimens, Christy can be found enjoying the outdoors and hiking popular PNW trails with her husband Alvin and pooch Mochi.
Billing
Doreen Butterklee
Billing & Collections
Doreen grew up in Louisiana, studied health sciences in Boston, and moved to Seattle 23 years ago. She lives with her husband, two daughters and their dog Stanley. She enjoys helping patients’ baby dreams come true.
Emily Frogget
Marketing / Physician Liaison
Originally from outside of Philadelphia, Emily made her way to Seattle for Graduate school at the UW in Creative Writing and fell in love with the Northwest. The proud mother of IVF twins, she enjoys helping others realize their dream of building a family.
Counseling Services
Beyond our scientific expertise, we can facilitate expert counseling to deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of infertility.
Financial Services
We recognize the important financial considerations involved with infertility treatment. Our advisors will help you plan ahead so this factor doesn’t become a burden. We have an exciting array of innovative pricing structure options available to make sure that you can pursue your goal of a family, and obtain peace of mind from both a medical and financial standpoint.
Hospital Affiliations Privileges
Drs. Johnson and Rehman maintain privileges at several local hospitals and are available to do surgery at the following for your convenience:
