AART’s team includes the physicians, nurses and scientists profiled below. Our team is among the best trained and most experienced ART teams in Canada.

Physician Team

Dr. Renda Bouzayen, FRCSC, Medical Director

Dr. Renda Bouzayen is the Division Head of REI and the Medical Director of AART.

Dr. Bouzayen completed her gynaecology and obstetrics training at the University of Montreal and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility working in the Reproductive Medicine Unit at St. Luc’s Hospital, the University of Montreal, the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal and McGill University. She joined the Dalhousie Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2000.

Dr. Bouzayen has an interest in teaching. Dr. Bouzayen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University. She was formerly the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) Fellowship Program which has been accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons since 2001. She is now the Chair of the GREI Committee for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Dr. Bouzayen speaks French and Arabic and has a special interest in cultural diversity. She sees patients for infertility, gynaecology and obstetrics through both Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Therapies, and the IWK Health Centre.

Dr. Mike Ripley, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Mike Ripley is a Reproductive Endocrinologist at Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Therapies and an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dalhousie University.

He completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Reproductive Medicine at the University of Ottawa’s Ottawa Fertility Centre in 2015. Prior to this, he graduated from medical school and completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Ripley is the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) Fellowship Program, which has been accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons since 2001.

Dr. Ripley is originally from Dartmouth, NS and is pleased to be practicing in his home province. His clinical interests include markers of ovarian reserve, fertility preservation, and recurrent pregnancy loss. He sees patients for infertility, gynaecology and obstetrics through both Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Therapies, and the IWK Health Centre.

Dr. Heather Cockwell, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Cockwell completed her medical school at the University of Western Ontario, her Obstetrics and Gynaecology training at Queen’s University, and her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) at Dalhousie University. She was an active member of the McMaster University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, teaching residents and medical students for over nine years in Ontario, before joining the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dalhousie University in 2018.

She has won several awards and accolades for her lectures and teaching style, most recently the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada’s Carl Nimrod Award for Excellence in Teaching. She helped launch the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital’s Clerkship Site for McMaster University, and acted as the Clerkship Site Co-ordinator for two years. She is currently the REI Resident Rotation Co-ordinator for the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dalhousie University.

Dr. Cockwell has a special interest in recurrent pregnancy loss and minimally invasive surgery, especially for advanced endometriosis and fibroids. She also has an interest in care of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, in trying to improve access and break barriers to care. She sees patients for infertility, gynaecology and obstetrics through both Atlantic Assisted Reproductive Therapies, and the IWK Health Centre.

Dr. Jesse Ory, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Jesse Ory is a urologist with subspecialty training in male infertility and microsurgery. He provides men’s health care to individuals in the Atlantic Provinces and is an assistant professor at Dalhousie University.

 He completed his fellowship in male infertility at the University of Miami in 2021. Prior to this, he completed medical school at the University of British Columbia and Urology residency at Dalhousie University.

 Dr. Ory has a special clinical interest in fertility preservation, testosterone deficiency, varicocele repair and cellular signaling in erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Alannah Smith, MD, FRCSC

Other Physicians

Dr. Isabelle Delisle (Gynaecologist), Dr. Gill Graves (REI), Dr. Cathy MacDougall (family physician), and Dr. Paula Rittenberg (Gynaecologist), see patients for their initial assessment and work up for infertility at AART.

Some patients may see a gynaecologist or family physician before seeing a subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) to allow a full review of their history as well as other investigations such as blood work to be done. Some patients may have their concerns addressed directly by the above physicians and may not require referral on to a REI.

Nursing Team

Tricia MacKenzie, BSc, RN, Nursing Leader

Tricia started at AART in 2009 and became a Nursing Leader in 2016. She graduated from St. FX University in 2001 with a BSc in Nursing with an advanced major in Neonatology. Prior to joining AART, she worked at the IWK for twelve years with the pediatric patient population.

She has recruited and trained all of our current RNs and is proud of the care her team provides to AART’s patients.

Patricia Ferguson, BSc, RN

Patricia is a graduate of Dalhousie University earning a BSc in psychology as well as a registered nurse. She received her Diploma in Nursing from Sydney City Hospital. Patricia has extensive nursing experience having worked in the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric cardiology and the labor and delivery unit of the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Patricia joined the AART team in 2006 and was AART’s Nurse Leader until 2020. She now works casually and we greatly appreciate her continued support!

Julie Forbes, LPN

Julie joined AART in February 2013. Prior to joining AART, Julie worked in several areas of health care including hemodialysis, oncology and palliative care.

Julie is fluently bilingual and can assist patients speaking in both English and French.

Miranda Hart, BN, RN

Miranda joined AART in 2022.  Prior to joining AART, Miranda worked at the Moncton hospital in the as a RN.  She worked in the unit that covered obstetrics, gynaecology, and women’s health.  She has a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of New Brunswick.

Stephanie MacDonald, BSc, RN

Stephanie joined AART in 2023. She graduated from Thompson Rivers University, in Kamloops BC, in 2010. She brings a wide range of nursing skills having worked on surgical units, the emergency room, and in ambulatory care. She has spent the majority of her career in Urology, which is beneficial experience for our male reproductive procedures.

Karen MacLean, LPN

Karen joined AART in 2007 and is a licensed practical nurse who has over thirty years’ experience in the medical field.

Most of Karen’s career was with the Canadian Armed Forces where she was trained as a Medical Assistant, and later as an Operating Room Technician.

Una MacLean, BSc, RN

Una joined AART in 2020. Una graduated Dalhousie School of Nursing in 2005 and started her journey in Women’s Health in the Birth Unit at the IWK Health Center. She spent her entire career in labour delivery as a Registered Nurse; including being a Team Leader in 2008. Una also joined the EHS LifeFlight Team in 2009; where she transported patents all over the Maritimes with high risk pregnancies to the IWK Health Centre.

Una brings critical care skills, leadership and Obstetrical experience to the AART clinic and patients.

Sue Murphy, BSc, RN

Sue joined AART in 2021. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a BSc in Nursing in 2005. Her experience includes working as a Registered Nurse in postpartum and the neonatal intensive care unit at the IWK Health Centre and most recently worked in a clinical setting at Dalhousie University.

Sue is also a certified BLS instructor and has experience as a Mental Health First Aid trainer.

Lab Team

Dr. Megan Dufton, BScH, PhD, Embryologist, Lab Director

Dr. Megan Dufton officially joined the AART team in 2015 upon the completion of her post-doctoral fellowship at Dalhousie University, and in partnership with AART and the IWK Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The focus of this fellowship was to establish a Preimplantation Genetic Screening and Diagnosis Program (PGD) for AART, which has been in successful operation since 2015.

Megan has been working with embryos for over a decade, beginning with undergraduate research at Acadia University. Following this program, Megan lived in the United Kingdom and developed skills in embryo micro-surgery at the University College of London. Upon return to Canada, Megan began her PhD studies at Dalhousie University in Developmental Biology, building upon her previous experience in embryo micro-surgery, protein and DNA analysis, and histological techniques. This background provided the skills required to explore, implement, and oversee the PGD program at AART. In addition to the role of PGD coordinator for AART, Megan is also an embryologist in the clinic providing the hands-on care during IVF and PGD cycles.

In 2018, Megan has returned from a Faculty position at Yale University, working within the Yale Fertility Centre. During her time there, she was able to further develop and refine her embryo oocyte and embryo manipulation and culture techniques. Upon her return from Yale, Megan was appointed as Lab Director of the AART’s laboratory.

In 2020, Megan was appointed as an Adjunct Faculty member with the Dalhousie Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

IVF has given Megan a way to use her passion for embryology and developmental biology to support patients in their hopes to grow their families.

Leanne Clattenburg, BScH, Andrologist

Leanne completed her BSc with Honours in Biology at Saint Mary’s University followed by a MSc in Pharmacology from Dalhousie University. Her research focused on molecular cell biology, specifically in cell signaling. 

Prior to joining AART in 2021, Leanne worked as Research Technician in a pharmacology lab at Dalhousie University.

Scot Everson, BSc, Andrologist, Apprentice Embryologist

Scot completed his BSc. in Biology at Dalhousie University in 2017 and joined as an Andrologist AART in March of 2022. In September 2023 he began training as an Apprentice Embryologist.

Prior to joining AART, Scot worked as a Laboratory Technician in a serological lab developing blood typing reagents used in transplant and transfusion procedures.

Tracy Fletcher, DipRCPath, M.Med.Sci, BSc.Hons, Senior Embryologist

Tracy joined AART in 2023. Tracy is a Diplomate of the Royal College of Pathologists in Reproductive Science, UK and completed her Masters in Assisted Reproductive Technology from the University of Nottingham, UK in 2000.

Tracy began her embryology career in the UK and emigrated to work in Canada in 2013. She brings over 23 years of embryology and IVF laboratory management experience to AART.

Danielle Paquet, BScH, MLT, Senior Embryologist

Danielle joined AART’s embryology team in 2005. She holds a BSc with Honours from Dalhousie University. She is a certified Embryologist with the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.

Prior to joining AART, Danielle spent 12 years at Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre in a molecular biology research environment and over two years in the Department of Cytogenetics at the IWK Health Centre.

Danielle is bilingual and is available to help our French speaking patients.

Frankie Slade, MSc, BScH, Embryologist

Frankie completed her BSc. with Honours and MSc. at Memorial University. Her research focused on molecular cell biology, developmental genetics and inheritable diseases.

Frankie joined AART in 2016. Frankie completed the ESHRE Basic Semen Analysis Course presented by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.

Justine Poitras, BSc, Apprentice Embryologist

Justine joined AART in 2017 as a volunteer and returned in January 2022 as the Care Compliance Coordinator. In April 2022, Justine moved into the Apprentice Embryologist role.  Prior to joining AART, she worked in the disability insurance industry in case management.

Justine has a Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Crandall University.

Jen Witmer, MSc, Senior Embryologist

Jen joined AART in 2019. She completed her Masters in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds in 2010. Jen is a certified Embryologist with the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society in addition to Embryology and Andrology Certification with the American Board of Bioanalysis as a Technical Supervisor.

Jen has over 15 years of embryology experience on the clinical side of IVF. She has an extensive embryology background working in various clinics across Canada and in the US.

Administrative Team

Julie Keizer, Chief Operating Officer

Julie joined AART in 2016. She has leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Julie previously worked in the gaming and oil industries in a variety of leadership roles encompassing operations, strategy, government relations, contract management, marketing and project management.

Julie is passionate about AART’s mission to provide excellence in fertility care and is grateful for the opportunity to lead a non-profit organization that helps people from Atlantic Canada and beyond in their pursuit to grow their families.

Emma Gillespie-Fraser, Medical Administrator

Emma joined AART in 2023. She previously worked at the QEII Neurosurgical Department, with a focus on administration and patient care. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Mary's University in Psychology and a diploma in Medical Office Administration from NSCC.

Emma completes a variety of medical administration responsibilities at AART including front desk reception, appointment booking, and patient communication.

Rebecca Johnson, Accounting Coordinator

Rebecca joined AART in 2021.  She previously worked in accounting in the agricultural industry, with a focus on Accounts Payable, training, and leadership.  Rebecca is enthusiastic about joining a team that is all about helping others.  She is responsible for accounting, payroll, and collections for AART and Fertility Pharmacy Services.

Christy MacDonald, Medical Administrator

Christy joined AART in 2022. She previously worked in the veterinary industry, with a focus on administration and patient care. She holds a Diploma in Veterinary Assistant/Office Administration from Maritime Business College and a completed the Pre-Technology Program at NSCC.

Christy completes a variety of medical administration responsibilities at AART including front desk reception, appointment booking, and patient communication.

Kayleigh Miles, Care Compliance Coordinator & Administrative Team Lead

Kayleigh joined AART as a volunteer in 2018. She began her career with AART as a Medical Administrator role in 2020 and moved into the Care Compliance Coordinator role in 2022. In 2023, she also took on the role of Team Lead for our Administrative team.

Kayleigh’s responsibilities include managing the administrative team and assisting with clinic functions such as embryo shipping, receiving donor eggs and sperm, ensuring consents are on file, managing patient feedback surveys, and compiling data on our treatment outcomes for the national database. 

Bianca Roberts, Medical Administrator

Bianca joined AART in 2023. She previously worked at the IWK Perinatal Centre, with a focus on administration and patient care. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Mary's University in Asian Studies/Linguistics, graduating in 2020.  

Bianca completes a variety of medical administration responsibilities at AART including front desk reception, appointment booking, and patient communication.