Fertility Preservation through Oocyte Cryopreservation
The Fertility Center of Miami was founded in 1991. The Center has been in the forefront of offering the latest successful options to infertile couples. In the past this has included intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), blastocyst embryo transfer, blastocyst embryo cryopreservation, donor eggs, and now egg freezing.
While many centers offer as a service, few have hands on experience with freezing, thawing and subsequent transfer of embryos. Our experience has proven that our embryologists and physicians have the knowledge, skills and competence to be successful.
This internationally renowned program was developed and is currently directed by Fernando M. Akerman,M.D. He is committed to bringing the latest and most successful oocyte cryopreservation to our patients.
Our Medical Team
Fernando M. Akerman, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Medical Director
Dr. Akerman is the Medical Director. He is originally from Argentina and is fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese. He is Diplomate Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Subspecialty in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
Dr. Akerman graduated with honors from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he also completed his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1992. He completed an Internship in Pathology at Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York, in 1993. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1997 in Missouri, and his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1999.
Dr. Akerman is a member of numerous scientific societies including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI), the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Miami Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. In 2015, he became the President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (FSREI).
He is an active speaker at numerous international fertility meetings.
Dr. Akerman is married to a pathologist and together they have 3 children. He enjoys traveling all over the world with his entire family. And as an avid sports fan he especially enjoys traveling to attend special sports events. (i.e. The World Cup)
Farah S. Chuong, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
As a native of Miami, Dr. Chuong was thrilled to return home when she joined the Fertility & IVF Center of Miami in 2016, to help couples fulfill their desires to become parents. She earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University in 2004 and her medical degree from the University of South Florida in 2008. Dr. Chuong continued her medical education at the University of South Florida where she completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and served as Chief Resident.
Following the completion of her residency, Dr. Chuong worked as a general OBGYN with a focus in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She then completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Chuong’s areas of clinical interests include fertility preservation, in vitro fertilization, and the medical and surgical treatment of infertility.
Dr. Chuong is a Diplomate Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, subspecialty in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Additionally, she is an active member in numerous national scientific societies including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Dr. Chuong enjoys family time with her husband and three kids. As a family, they enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures. She also loves football – particularly Florida State Seminoles and the Miami Dolphins.
Edward H. IllionsM.D.
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
Dr. Illions joined the Center in 2021. Previously, he was the Medical Director of the Advanced Reproductive Medicine section at the University of Colorado. And previously, he was the practice director at the Montefiore’s Institute for Reproductive Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. In addition, he developed and led their Fertility Preservation Program.
He completed his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology while in the US Air Force at the National Institutes of Health and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He acquired training in reproductive surgery, advanced reproductive technologies including in-vitro fertilization, and the management of complex endocrine disorders in women. He completed his medical career in the Air Force in 1993 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He joined the faculty at the University of Florida as the Director of Reproductive Endocrinology in the Jacksonville campus.
He has a keen interest in fertility preservation, reproductive surgery, and recurrent pregnancy loss. He strives to offer comprehensive, evidence-based medical care in a compassionate and personalized setting. He believes that physicians must be good listeners to supply the individualized care that patients have come to expect and endeavors to help patients achieve their family-building goals.
Dr. Illions relocated to South Florida to live close to his family. He enjoys playing and attending sporting events and scuba diving.
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