Infertility affects physicians at nearly twice the rate of the general population, but often only gets discussed behind closed doors. This episode of The STFM Podcast brings one of those private conversations into the open as Dr. Brintha Vasagar shares what she has learned from her personal journey with infertility. She reflects on how being a patient has reshaped her approach to care, unpacks the hidden costs and emotional toll of building a family in medicine, and offers heartfelt advice for residents, trainees, and junior faculty navigating similar paths.

Hosted by Omari A. Hodge, MD, FAAFP and Jay-Sheree Allen Akambase, MD

Copyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025

Resources:

• American Medical Women’s Association’s (AMWA) Fertility Working Group
• High Infertility Rates and Pregnancy Complications in Female Physicians Indicate a Need for Culture Change - Ann Surg.
• Physician Fertility: A Call to Action - Academic Medicine

Brintha Vasagar, MD, MPH:

Brintha Vasagar MD, MPH, is a board-certified family medicine physician and the Chief Medical Officer at Progressive Community Health Centers in Milwaukee, WI. A survivor of the 2004 tsunami that devastated South Asia, she has spoken before members of Congress and the United Nations about international health issues and disaster preparedness. Dr Vasagar continues to be passionate about health communication and has been featured on outlets such as NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox News, NewsNation, US News and Huffington Post. When she is not busy seeing patients or volunteering in the community, Dr Vasagar enjoys outdoor adventures with her family.

Link:

stfm.org/stfmpodcast092025