Sameh K. Toma, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Medical Director

Dr. Sameh Toma is one of the most well known fertility doctors in the Raleigh area.  He graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor Degree in Science in Electrical Engineering. He then graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine and completed his residency there as well. During his residency, he conducted significant research and published several articles regarding infertility, endometriosis and fetal wellbeing.  His most significant training came under the late Dr. Luther Talbert, Fellowship Director for Reproductive Endocrinology at UNC-Chapel Hill.  Dr. Talbert then left UNC-Chapel Hill to open the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine and asked Dr. Toma to join him in this private practice.  Together, they created the most prolific and successful fertility clinic in the region. Dr. Toma also has used his engineering and medical expertise to develop color ultrasound.  He also designed the state-of-the-art laboratory at NCCRM.  It's similar to a micro-elect clean room providing the cleanest air environment for embryology.  This is a major reason for the high pregnancy success rates enjoyed at the facility. Dr. Toma is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. His interests include in-vitro fertilization and advanced reproductive surgery microsurgical tubal anastomosis. 

Gerald G. Mulvaney, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Dr. Mulvaney graduated from the Boston University School of Medicine in 1978. He completed his residency in Brooklyn, New York at King’s County Downstate Medical Center in 1982. He then moved to Goldsboro and opened a private practice. In 1985, he joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was assigned to the AHEC/Wake Medical Center. He pioneered laser and operative laparoscopy in the Raleigh area and also has special training in pediatric gynecology. Dr. Mulvaney's research interest is in perfecting infertility techniques, including assisted reproductive technologies and in vitro fertilization as well as reproductive surgical procedures such as tubal anastomosis. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  When you ask patients in the Raleigh area who their favorite fertility doctor is, Dr. Mulvaney is always one of the top names on their list.

Dr. Vulgaropulos graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with honors in 1988 and completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency at UNC in 1992. Dr. "V" also trained under the late Dr. Luther Talbert, Fellowship Director for Reproductive Endicronology at UNC Chapel Hill. He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr Vulgaropulos returned to Raleigh to join Triangle OB/GYN after practicing for five years with the Fallon Clinic and the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine in Worcester, Massachusetts. His research interests include laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques. He has extensive training in normal and high-risk obstetrics, office and surgical gynecology, menopause management, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, and bladder dysfunction.

Hugh C. Hensleigh, Ph.D.
Laboratory Director

Dr. Hugh C. Hensleigh is the laboratory director of the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine. He has 22 years of experience in clinical assisted reproductive technologies during which time he has acted as laboratory director of three highly successful IVF programs. Dr. Hensleigh received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Science Education and Ph. D. degree in Human Anatomy and Reproductive Biology from the University of Kansas with post-doctoral training at the MRC Unit for Mammalian Development at the University of Edinburgh and University of London. Dr. Hensleigh established the IVF Laboratory at the University of Minnesota in 1983 and at the Reproductive Health Associates, St. Paul, MN in 1994. He was Co-Laboratory Director with the Center for Applied Reproductive Science, Johnson City, TN between 1999 and 2005. Dr. Hensleigh joined the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cary, NC in March, 2005. Dr. Hensleigh is board certified as a High Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD) and is a Laboratory Inspector for the College of American Pathologists Reproductive Laboratory Accreditation Program. The direction of the laboratory is to continue to improve pregnancy rates while reducing multiple pregnancies. New techniques used in the laboratory include assisted hatching of the zona pellucida with a laser and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. 

Board Certified Urologist Dr. Khoudary attended The Johns Hopkins University and New Jersey University of Medicine and Dentistry. His internship and residency were performed at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine facilities of Akron General and Akron City Hospitals. His fellowship through Harvard Medical School is in the areas of Male Infertility and Impotence. Dr. Khoudary has previously practiced in New Jersey and in the Western part of North Carolina. He has been a participating contributor and has published an extensive number of scientific articles. He continues to participate with clinical studies and trials to improve treatments and patient outcomes in the practice of Urology. Dr. Khoudary recently started Vasreverse.com, an organization that provides information for patients about vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.  Dr. Khoudary works with NCCRM patients on a regaular basis, both at the Cary NCCRM offices as well as at his own practice, Cary Urology. (www.caryurology.com) 

Ronald M. Batson, M.D.
Psychiatrist

Dr. Batson graduated from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1977. He completed his residency in general psychiatry at the University of North Carolina in 1981, and is board certified. From 1981-1993, he remained at UNC Hospitals as a clinical faculty member, while maintaining a private practice in Chapel Hill. He has provided psychiatric consultation to NCCRM since 1993. He interviews donors recipients and fertility patients that need counseling. He is also currently Director of the Duke Psychology Clinic.

Sherel Lawson, MS, LPC
Clinical Psychology  

Sherel Lawson received a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of Augusta in Augusta, Georgia.  She is currently licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in both North Carolina and Virginia and has 9 years of clinical experience, including having her own practice.  Her experience includes working with couples having difficulty in conceiving/carrying a child as she knows the personal devastation this can have on a couple.  Mrs. Lawson also works with patients who have a a variety of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, pain management and more.   

Luther M. Talbert, M.D.
December 30, 1926 – November 17, 2003

Dr. Talbert was a pioneer in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, complex gynecological surgery and in vitro fertilization and is credited with the first successful IVF in North Carolina.  He completed his medical degree, internship and residency at the University of Virginia. 

During his career, Dr. Talbert worked with Dr. Bob Edwards, who was one of the physicians who spearheaded the procedure that led to the 1978 birth of the first IVF baby in the world, Louise Brown. He also was instrumental in forming the medical board for certification in reproductive endocrinology, of which he became the first physician to earn the subspecialty certification.

Dr. Talbert was on the UNC faculty for 34 years and established and directed the in vitro fertilization program for 10 years. Along with Dr. Sameh Toma and Dr. Gerald Mulvaney, he founded the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine, which was later renamed, The Talbert Fertility Institute.

Dr. Talbert has authored numerous books and journal articles and was well known by his colleagues worldwide. He served in a vast number of leadership positions during his professional career that included Director for the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

On November 2, 2003 Dr. Talbert was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Mike Easley for his commitment to women’s health and his service to the state of North Carolina.

Dr. Talbert was a tribute to the field of surgery and medicine. He was a staunch advocate for women’s health and a hero to many. He was a teacher…..amentor…and friend.

We remember Luther M. Talbert with respect, admiration and love.

The Physicians and Staff
North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine
The Talbert Fertility Institute

Nurse Coordinators

Cary Office:
Upper Left : Folita Sherman - IVF, FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer)
Upper Right : Judy Moretz - Donor Egg Program
Lower Left : Kim Jeffers - IVF, FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer)
Lower Right: Eman Zaki - IUI, TDI
Not pictured:  Carla Yelton - Ovulation Induction
Shan Qui - IVF
Doris McDonald - IVF

Greensboro Office:
Far Left: Dr. Gerald Mulvaney
Left: Angela Penn, RN, FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
Right: Tammy G. Field, MT (ASCP) SC - Laboratory Supervisor
Far Right: Dr. Eberhard Muechler
Not Pictured: Ronda Gulick - Administrator