My path towards being an embryologist
My parents were sure that I was “born to be a doctor”. And now I know they were right. I graduated with honors from a medical college and started working as an OP nurse in an ophthalmology department. Oh, I still remember these fantastic laser surgeries, microinstruments, accuracy and fineness! However, the circumstances were such that further on I entered not a Medical University, but the department of Biology in the Leningrad State University (now Saint Petersburg State University). As I was dreaming about medicine I chose to specialize in embryology and by a stroke of luck I was admitted to the D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology. There I wrote my course projects, wrote and defended my graduation thesis and started my career as a molecular cytogeneticist in the laboratory of prenatal diagnostics of hereditary diseases.
What it means for me to be an embryologist
Throughout all my work experience as an embryologist I have always had the feeling of a miracle being born and the understanding that I did everything I could the way it must be done. And the highest satisfaction for me is to realize that I helped a new life to come into the world. This feeling is getting even bigger when in a quite desperate situation there are still several sperms found, you see normal fertilization, the embryo transfer is done and when not the most good-looking and top but so dear to my heart blastocysts give a positive pregnancy test and you wait for the ultrasound and finally receive a baby photo. This result of such work is priceless for me, and it is definitely priceless for the patients.
When I started my path in embryology my daughter was 4 years old and now her son, my grandson, is also 4 years old! My two daughters have grown up very fast, and now I am already getting positive vibes from their children. Now my two grandsons always keep me busy: we go camping, travel together, go swimming, biking and skiing. Indeed, it has already been the whole generation! The whole generation of the kids who I nursed in the little dish and cared for in the very beginning of their lives! And through all the years I have carried the feeling that every embryo transfer, every tiny embryo, every precious cell is extremely important and unique.
Undeniably, my work gives me vital energy. It is a real privilege to be able to help someone find the happiness of having a baby.
The O.L.G.A. Clinic
Our embryo lab in the O.L.G.A. Clinic is a true team of likeminded professionals: a highly experienced embryologist and just a very nice person Dr Anna Gusareva, and a quick learner and very talented embryologist Dr Maia Shestakova. Working with them is a pure joy for me. Doing what you love with people who you love is a great happiness.
My education
1982 – Leningrad Medical college №5, specialty – nursing, qualification – nurse.
1991 – Leningrad State University, specialty – biology, qualification – biologist-zoologist.
1996 – St. Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies, specialty – laboratory genetics, qualification – laboratory geneticist(retraining).
2023 – «Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, specialty – embryologist (accreditation valid from 25/07/2023 to 25/07/2028).
Further professional development
2007 – Upgrade training «Laboratory genetics», St. Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies.
2009 – Upgrade training «Assisted reproductive technologies (specialization for embryologists)», The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D. O. Ott.
2012 – Upgrade training «Laboratory genetics», The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D. O. Ott.
2014 – Upgrade training «Assisted reproductive technologies (specialization for embryologists)», The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D. O. Ott.
2017 – Upgrade training «Laboratory genetics», North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov.
2019 – Upgrade training «Assisted reproductive technologies (specialization for embryologists)», The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D. O. Ott.
Work experience
In 2018 I joined O.L.G.A. Fertility Clinic team.
At the same time, with doctors and other O.L.G.A. team members I have been working since the very beginning of the clinic, since 1996. It was then that I started working as an embryologist in the Russian-Finnish clinic “AVA-Peter”. I studied the standards of work of an embryologist in the European IVF laboratory, where only certified culture media and consumables were used, where all processes were validated and standardized. From the very beginning of my work as an embryologist, I have followed these rules. In the European laboratory, I mastered all stages of IVF: embryo transfer, cryopreservation of sperm, embryos, oocytes, as well as ICSI and TESA.
In 2006 I became an Embryo Lab Chief in the «AVA-Peter» Clinic. I had more areas of responsibility. I taught young specialists, worked on opening and management of the new labs of the clinic and was in charge of the preparation for ISO certification. But most of all I enjoyed not administration work but daily meticulous manipulations in my lab, learning and developing new approaches and techniques in embryology. Therefore, my great joy and pride is that in 2009 our lab team was one of the first in Russia that implemented the method of fast freezing of embryos and oocytes — vitrification. Vitrification is much more effective than the slow freezing that was used before: the survival rate of embryos has increased from 75-80% to 95%! I gained my knowledge and experience in vitrification directly from the author of this technique — professor Masashige Kuwayama. Under his guidance, I also gained the necessary experience in applying the method.
In 2018, I gladly accepted Dr. Olga Zaytseff's offer to continue my professional path at O.L.G.A. Fertility Clinic.
It is a blessing that Dr. Olga Zaytseff once created a team of involved people who care about high quality and about the results, and for whom the patient is a person, and a colleague is a companion. And it's good that this initiative has grown into an excellent clinic based on these principles.
My personal interests
When I was a student, I practiced jogging and took a real delight it. One of my other big hobbies some time ago was yoga. I enjoyed everything about yoga: good people, hearty talks and stretching physical exercises.
Now my free time is always a range of different hobbies, which are dictated by great love for my family.
When my children were born and were growing up, together with them I learnt how to ice skate as it is easier to get a kid involved in the process by showing your own example. While children were growing up my hobbies were changing as well – we rode bikes, went roller-skating and mountain skiing. When we needed more freedom of travel, I got my driving license. After a while, my children became adults, and my grandchildren were born. And again, I now follow the rhythm of the smallest family members…We go to the theatres, enjoy roller-skating and ice-skating…
One more thing I am in love with is my garden where I have fruit trees, small-fruit crops and gorgeous roses. To my surprise, they have been growing on their own for many years. I love them a lot, but I have no time to take proper care of them so we made a pact that they will manage by themselves and I will nourish them with my love. Each side meets its commitment, and our agreement has been bearing wonderful results for many years in a row.
I have diverse hobbies in my life and each of them is not so much the result of circumstances, but rather activities that really please my heart. Such a deep joy comes from the love of what I do...
