The journey to becoming a parent is one of life’s most significant experiences, yet it isn’t always a simple one. For numerous individuals, the journey is laden with obstacles—surprising setbacks, unresolved inquiries, and a profound desire to embrace a child of their own. The emotional strain can be intense, and the feeling of loneliness often seems quite genuine. Amidst these challenges, the proper support can change everything. At Atlantic Reproductive Medicine Specialists, individuals find a setting where their aspirations of creating a family blend with advanced technology and genuine compassion, providing not only medical proficiency but also a companionship that accompanies them throughout each phase of their experience.
Dr. Susannah Copland, MD, MSCR, Founder & President of Atlantic, recognizes that fertility care involves more than just medical interventions—it’s about establishing a personal rapport with patients, providing support, and making sure they feel acknowledged, comprehended, and esteemed. Through a combination of empathy and skill, Dr. Copland and her team at Atlantic have established a clinic that respects every patient’s narrative and provides innovative solutions customized to each person’s distinct requirements.
At Atlantic, the strategy is comprehensive—addressing not just the body but also the mind and spirit. The clinic serves as an environment where patients have trust in the care they are given, aware that a committed team is consistently available to hear, assist, and navigate them through one of the most profound and transformative moments of their lives.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
Can you please describe your role within the clinic?
Together with co-founding partner David Walmer and COO Tina Manley, we founded Atlantic’s successful reproductive medicine practice and Atlantic Shared Beginnings egg and embryo donor agency. In addition to my active clinical role as one of Atlantic’s three reproductive endocrinologists, I am the Atlantic’s managing medical director/CEO. I have always been focused on evidence-based medicine and through my Masters in Clinical Research I have demonstrated my commitment to providing the absolute best in medical care. To best serve the Atlantic community as we continue to grow and innovate, I am currently in my first year of UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Executive MBA program.
What unique services or technologies does your clinic offer that differentiate it from others in the industry?
Atlantic builds families with innovative and unique programs:
- With reproductive urologist Dr. Matt Coward, we are the only fertility center in the Triangle area offering comprehensive collaborative care integrating fertility urology with reproductive endocrinology. This ensures all pursuing parenthood find welcome and treatment in one coordinated location.
- Atlantic Shared Beginnings expands pathways to work with donor eggs and embryos, honoring the limited resource of donor eggs and sharing costs between recipients, making care accessible to more families.
- Rachel Eshel, a clinical psychologist specializing in reproductive mental health, offers on-site individual and group support to ensure patients’ emotional well-being throughout their journey.
How has your clinic adapted to meet the changing needs of patients in recent years?
Patients and referring providers asked for faster access to care, and Atlantic responded by:
- Growing our teams to reply to patient inquiries within a day.
- Expanding our capacity to see new patients within two weeks, with a fourth reproductive endocrinologist joining in 2025.
How does your clinic prioritize patient care and support throughout the fertility treatment process?
“Together” describes our promise to collaborate with patients and staff to build families. We continually ask, How can we be better? and How can we develop programs that improve both the experience of care and caring?
What advancements or innovations in fertility treatment is your clinic currently exploring or planning to implement?
- Atlantic Shared Beginnings allows patients in care at other centers to create embryos at Atlantic, which can then be shipped to their home clinic for transfer, expanding options and accessibility.
- The addition of a fourth reproductive endocrinologist in 2025 will further enhance our ability to offer innovative treatments while minimizing wait times.
Can you share a recent success story or notable achievement from your clinic?
Atlantic entered a collaborative partnership with the Filotimo Foundation to serve patients with cystic fibrosis in their family building journey.
What do you believe are the key factors that contribute to your clinic’s success and reputation in the fertility field?
Atlantic’s superpower, its secret sauce, is our staff of collaborators and innovators.
In a field that is both rewarding and challenging, we help our patients build families with the collective talent, compassion, and creativity of our teams.
Our Atlantic community makes our shared successes possible.
What advice would you give to individuals or couples who are considering starting their fertility journey?
When beginning your fertility journey, prioritize your wellness. In addition to your reproductive medicine provider, who will be with you through your medical treatments, consider working with a reproductive mental health professional to help you carry the emotional burden. Fertility wellness habits include good sleep, a supportive diet, and daily movement for joy and connection. Together, your fertility providers and fertility wellness will best support you for the journey to your family vision.