Staff

Meet Dr. George Kofinas, Kofinas Fertility Group’s inspirational founder and medical director.

As the compassionate leader of Kofinas Fertility Group and a distinguished authority on fertility medicine, Dr. Kofinas has used his depth of knowledge and sharp intuition to help thousands of couples start families of their own. Dr. Kofinas has written and spoken about the full spectrum of assisted reproductive technologies, such as reproductive surgery and in vitro fertilization (IVF), and he has personally trained every doctor on his staff. 

Dr. Kofinas, in his own words…

“Patience and compassion are the two main virtues that define an excellent fertility doctor. You need to be patient with every single situation or complex problem that arises. You need to take the proper treatment steps in the correct order in order to maximize your chance of success. And through every fertility situation, with every person who comes to our practice, understanding the individual emotional and logistical challenges is the only way to offer the best possible care… which is what we give our patients at Kofinas Fertility Group.

“Every single doctor you meet at our practice embodies these virtues. I am incredibly proud of each of them for not only their commitment to the advancement and administration of fertility medicine, but for their deep appreciation of each personal situation. They all truly understand the concerns of their patients, and they put their heart and soul into each and every fertility case.

“The bottom line is that fertility care is highly personal. You can’t run people through an ‘assembly line’ system and expect good outcomes, because different people require different approaches. Since founding Kofinas Fertility Group over 30 years ago, I have dedicated myself to the idea that expertise and personalized care produce fantastic results. And our sustained success upholds that idea.”

Board-Certified: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Fellow: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY

Internship: New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY

MD: University of Athens, College of Medicine, School of Health Science National & Kapodistrian, Greece

Member: American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies, and the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Professional positions held:

• Founder and Medical Director of Kofinas Fertility Group (current)
• Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, 2000-2016
• Chairman of the Brooklyn Hospital Center’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1996-2000
• Director of the Brooklyn Hospital Center’s Residency Program, 1996-2000
• Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Brooklyn Hospital Center
• Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn

For more information on Dr. Kofinas, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Kofinas is available for consultation at our Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island locations.

Meet Kofinas Fertility Group’s detail-oriented lab director, Dr. Maria Bertero.

Maria Bertero, MD, HCLD inspires us all at Kofinas Fertility Group in New York with her dedication to the field of fertility. Dr. Bertero has numerous published works on embryology and andrology, and she has completed extensive training all around the world in egg and embryo freezing, embryo biopsy, and more.

Dr. Bertero, in her own words…

“I have a passion for this business. I don’t wear a watch because it doesn’t matter what time of day it is, I just keep going until I finish the work I need to finish. The teamwork here is incredible. Everyone collaborates with everyone, everyone supports everyone, and everyone laughs with everyone. We all love our jobs, and that shared energy and dedication strongly contributes to our success as a clinic.

“A strong attention to detail is a mandatory quality for anyone working in an embryology lab. You have to notice the differences between embryos, how they look, how they behave and — for those who choose to have embryonic genetic testing — which embryos have the strongest genetics for implantation. Taking all these factors into consideration is the only way to produce strong results, and managing these fine details keeps me constantly alert and enthusiastic about my work.

“I couldn’t ask for a more stimulating, enjoyable environment than the lab at Kofinas Fertility Group. Personally, I’m always excited about the future. I’ve been working in the fertility laboratory field for over 25 years, when in vitro fertilization was just starting, and the technological development I’ve witnessed has been truly amazing. I love working at Kofinas Fertility Group because both Dr. Kofinas and I are always looking for the next big thing. We incorporate every viable technique available today, and we both seek to expand our capabilities as new technology emerges.”

Certified: High-Complexity Clinical Lab Director (HCLD) – American Board of Bioanalysis, Clinical Laboratory Technologist – State of New York Department of Education

Fellowships: Reproductive Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urban Zonal Hospital of Pergamino, Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina

MD: National University of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

MS: Clinical Embryology and Andrology, The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA

Leadership positions:

Scientific Director of the Embryology Laboratory, Kofinas Fertility Group, 2002-present

Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory, Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington, KY, 1998-2002

Meet Dr. Jason Kofinas, the fertility specialist New Yorkers love.

Dr. Kofinas, in his own words…

“The opportunity to give the gift of a child is the primary reason — among many — that I chose to become a fertility doctor. The field of fertility medicine is complex and filled with emotion. It’s my job to give you the very best care that I can while ensuring that you understand the reasoning behind every step of your care. I put a great deal of effort into making you feel considered and valued as an individual throughout the entire process.

“It’s an exciting time to be a fertility doctor. New technology has allowed us to give babies to people with astonishing rates of success, and I find the clinical care itself to be very fulfilling. This field is also challenging, and I must push myself to constantly learn and improve in order to give my best to every person I treat. But the challenge of fertility medicine is why I love my work, and being able to give someone a child after years of trying is an indescribable feeling.

“Ultimately, my goals and those of my patients completely overlap. I want to give them the child of their dreams, and I will always take the time to listen to their exact needs in order to accomplish that.”

Board-Certified: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Fellow: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Fellowships: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY

Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY

MD: With Honors, George Washington University, Washington, DC

MSc: Biomedical Sciences - Clinical Embryology and Andrology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA

BA: Economics, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Member: American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, American Medical Association, Society of Reproductive Surgeons

For more information about Dr. Kofinas, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Kofinas is available for consultation at our Upper West Side and Lower Manhattan locations. 

Meet Dr. Peter Brzechffa, Kofinas Fertility Group’s approachable associate director.

Peter Brzechffa (BRESH – fuh), MD, FACOG is an active family man and the associate director of Kofinas Fertility Group in New York. Interpersonal connection is a big deal for Dr. Brzechffa, and even after over 20 years in fertility care, he still cherishes every minute that he spends with the people he treats.

Dr. Brzechffa, in his own words…

“Interacting with my patients and giving them success after years of failure is a constant source of joy and gratification for me. The nature of fertility care is that nothing is certain, and we’re all on this crazy, emotional journey together. While the path to a healthy child may take some unexpected turns, perseverance driven by a strong motivation to succeed can lead to some truly wonderful outcomes. And seeing the smile on each person’s face when our effort pays off is a special moment that I thoroughly enjoy.

“One of my original attractions to fertility care was the unique combination of both medical and surgical practice. There’s often a great deal of face-to-face clinical work to be done along with the complex surgical challenges to overcome. Being able to meet your needs, no matter what they are, and stay with you through your entire treatment experience is immensely satisfying to me. Additionally, fertility medicine is a very new and exciting specialty, and the possibility of making big contributions to the field was as appealing to me when I started as it is today.

“In general, I’m very mellow. You can talk to me without feeling intimidated, and I always have time for your questions and concerns. Your comfort throughout your fertility experience is of the utmost importance to me personally and to your overall treatment success, and I’ve crafted my entire practice style around that feeling.”

Board-Certified: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Fellow: American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Fellowships: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Internship: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

MD: UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

BA: Biology, Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Member: American Society of Reproductive Medicine

Leadership positions: Associate Director of Kofinas Fertility Group

For more information about Dr. Brzechffa, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Brzechffa is available for consultation at our Brooklyn and Staten Island locations.

Meet Dr. Melissa Montes, one of Kofinas Fertility Group’s caring doctors.

Melissa Montes, MD, FACOG has over 10 years of experience helping New Yorkers and beyond start families. With numerous peer-reviewed publications and thousands of success stories under her belt, she continues to help Kofinas Fertility Group advance the boundaries of fertility medicine.

Dr. Montes, in her own words…

“I feel a deep connection to the women and men who come to our practice. Their struggle is my struggle, and the bond we share drives my passion for my work. Being approachable and friendly helps creates strong relationships with my patients, and because fertility care is such an emotionally charged field, a warm and caring demeanor makes a significant impact on each person’s experience. It builds trust, and solid trust is the most important aspect of my relationships with my patients.”

“In addition to relishing the human connections involved with fertility care, I’m also fascinated by the endocrinology and physiology of reproductive medicine. The science of fertility care is rapidly progressing, and I’m always learning about new treatments and techniques that can help my patients. Even more, I feel it’s my job as a physician to explain every step of your fertility therapy in an accessible, straightforward manner. Managing expectations is a big part of my responsibility, and educating you plays an important role in meeting that standard.”

“Being a mother gives me empathy for your struggle. Raising my children has been more amazing than I’d ever imagined, and I work extremely hard to give that experience to everyone I treat.”

Board-Certified: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellow: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Residency: Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY

MD: Howard University, Washington DC

MS: Anatomy, Howard University, Washington DC

BS: Biology, George Washington University, Washington DC

Member: American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Medical Society of the State of New York, Medical Society of the County of Kings

For more information about Dr. Montes, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Montes is available for consultation at our Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Lower Manhattan locations.

Meet one of Kofinas Fertility Group’s compassionate doctors, Dr. Levica Narine.

Levica Narine, MD, FACOG places high value on face-to-face time with those she treats at Kofinas Fertility Group in New York. As an experienced OBGYN, Dr. Narine has solved a wide range of fertility and reproductive problems with many different types of people. Each challenge motivates her to do better, and every experience she has inspires greater passion for her work.

Dr. Narine, in her own words…

“There really is no greater satisfaction than helping someone start a family who thought it was impossible. And that satisfaction is the greatest motivator you could ask for. Fertility care is all about building relationships, and while I did a lot of research in college, I chose to become a doctor because I enjoy interacting with my patients.

“In particular, I am able to relate to and communicate with women very well. I come from a family of strong women, and I understand that listening and discussing the feelings that you’re experiencing — whether you’re angry or sad or hopeless — is the key to overcoming your struggle and understanding that everything will be okay. Our team here at Kofinas Fertility Group will do absolutely everything we can to help, and building your trust is the first and most important step toward your success.

“My interest in relating to and communicating with people exceeds my professional life. I’m big on travelling all around the world and have visited Tibet, Thailand, Europe, Peru and many other places. In each place I visit, I learn so much about so many different types of people. And the empathy that extends from those experiences comes out every day when I’m caring for my patients.”

Board-Certified: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellow: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY

MD: State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

BA: Biology & Spanish Literature, Barnard College at Columbia University, New York, NY

Member: American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Medical Associates, Medical Society of New York, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgery, New York Metropolitan Embryology Society, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

For more information about Dr. Narine, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also request an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Narine is available for consultation at our Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and Staten Island locations.

Meet Dr. Alexis Masbou, one of Kofinas Fertility Group’s caring doctors.

Why did you choose to go into this profession?
I have always been an advocate for women’s health and women’s issues, only bolstered by my high school education at a local all-girls high school with a focus on service and social justice. When I was considering medical school, I knew I wanted to practice obstetrics and gynecology, but I wasn’t sure where I should focus my energy and where I could most be of service. I decided to volunteer at Planned Parenthood and at the same time I began conducting research at an IVF lab at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It was during this summer where I encountered my first doctor-patient visit, and as fate would have it, I joined a reproductive endocrinologist counseling a couple on their fertility options. I was inspired by this physician’s ability to help a couple plan to become a family, aided by the microscopic miracles being performed in the embryology lab. I was touched by the special bond such physicians shared with their patients. And, in terms of the science, I was hooked.

What about did you find compelling about it?
Reproductive endocrinology and infertility is a fascinating medical sub-specialty that is evolving at an unparalleled speed. The quality of research produced each year is astounding, allowing our patients to benefit from the latest advances in science, while drawing upon the knowledge from giants in the field. We are constantly learning more about what it takes to create a healthy pregnancy - unraveling this mystery is a humbling experience, and I am truly honored to practice in this ever-changing field.

How would you characterize your style of patient interaction?
I am a friendly, approachable person who genuinely cares for my patients as if they were my family. It is important that my patients know they can feel comfortable discussing any questions or concerns with me and that our interaction should be one of mutual respect. I will always present information in the most compassionate and straight-forward manner. It is possible to maintain hope and a sense of humor throughout this process, and I will do my best to make that happen while coming up with a clear treatment plan that meets you where you are at as a patient.

What do you hope to be able to give or do for patients?
In working with me, my patients will gain an ally who will fight to make their hopes become reality. I understand how taxing and hopeless navigating fertility can seem at times, but I will support you by taking your progress personally. I am also a lifelong learner in the medical field, and that means I will use my training and evolving knowledge of medicine to help you build your family.

What is your best quality as a member of this practice’s team?
I am lucky to work at a practice with like-minded colleagues who are devoted to helping patients and love their work! To the team I bring my own compassion, loyalty and diligence, as well as several years spent already honing my skills in this field. My first name actually means “helper of mankind” and I couldn’t agree more – I have always wanted to assist others in need and feel completely at home in this role with both my colleagues and patients.

Anything additional you would like to tell us or that you feel would be pertinent to information about you?
I am a native New Yorker from a close family, and also have very close and long-term friendships, and these relationship strengths transfer in my work with my patients. I enjoy traveling and the chance to immerse myself in other cultures, as well as watching and playing sports. I have also faced infertility personally and through friends and family. As a support for those close to me who are going through infertility as well as with my own journey, I know how difficult it can be, and these experiences, along with my training at premier institutions, allow me to take the best care of my patients.

Board-Certified:  Obstetrics and Gynecology

Board-Eligible:  Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Fellow: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York

Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York

Medical Degree: The School of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York

BA: Cognitive Science, with honors, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Memberships: ASRM, PCRS, ACOG

For more information about Dr. Masbou, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Masbou is available for consultation at our Upper West Side and Lower Manhattan locations.

Meet Dr. Chantae Sullivan-Pyke, one of Kofinas Fertility Group’s caring doctors.

Years experience: I have been in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology for seven years, during which time I completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia University Medical Center followed by a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of Pennsylvania.

I completed my undergraduate education at Amherst College where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. I continued on to study medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine and completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Columbia University Medical Center. I then completed my fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Master of Science in Translational Research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Why did you choose to go into this profession?
I chose to become a fertility doctor because I enjoy caring helping patients bring home a baby. There are many unique challenges that patients face when planning a family and I want to help patients navigate the process and achieve their reproductive goals. I am also interested in translational research that enables us to systematically ask questions raised in the clinic and to bring the answers we find back to the clinic to advance the care we can provide our patients. I am excited to be a part of this fast-growing field that puts patient care first and that has continued to advance dramatically in the past 30+ years because of ongoing research.

What about did you find compelling about it?
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility was particularly compelling because I have the opportunity to care for patients with a range of endocrine disorders, disorders of development of the reproductive tract, and offer procedures to help patients with infertility to have a baby. Helping patients bring home a baby is a most exciting experience.

How would you characterize your style of patient interaction?
I have a patient-centered style. Every patient and their set of circumstances is unique and everyone deserves individualized care. I make every effort to listen keenly to my patients, to answer all questions, and to take the time to explain the reasons for the recommended treatment plan.

What do you hope to be able to give or do for patients?
I hope to give my patients the gift of a baby through a partnership that makes them feel valued and cared for along the way.

What is your best quality as a member of this practice’s team?
I am lucky to be joining such a talented team of physicians and staff. I believe that my background in translational research will help advance the research mission of the practice and that my ability to work well with patients and team members of diverse backgrounds can contribute to fostering a warm and welcoming environment for all.

Anything additional you would like to tell us or that you feel would be pertinent to information about you?
I was born in the sunny island of Jamaica where I lived until completing high school. I enjoying cooking spicy Jamaican dishes including curry and jerk chicken and am always on the lookout for a good recipe.

For more information about Dr. Sullivan-Pyke, or to schedule an appointment, call 718-736-2218. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form. Dr. Sullivan-Pyke is available for consultation at our Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn  locations.