MEDICAL STAFF

kristina

Kristina E. Bauer, MPAS, PA-C

Kristina joined FTC in 2014 and is a highly skilled, board certified practitioner specializing in Women’s Health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Cardio-pulmonary Sciences degree from the University of Central Florida. Her love of warm, but less humid, weather brought her to Arizona, where she received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University, in Mesa. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running (she’s run 6 marathons), wake boarding, surfing, and snowboarding. Kristina loves to spend weekends with her husband on the boat or watching football if they aren’t traveling.

Ms. Bauer takes special care to maintain open lines of communication with our patients, patient partners/spouses, and treating physicians.

Feedback from our patients is that, “Ms. Bauer is sensitive, compassionate, and very understanding,” as patients are guided through their individualized treatment process. She performs intrauterine inseminations (IUI), sonohysterograms (SHG), ultrasounds, endometrial disruptions, routine female health screening, and patient education.

What her peers have to say, “Kristina is extremely helpful to her patients with a variety of issues. Despite having a busy schedule, she is almost always able to schedule an appointment within a few hours of patients calling and responds to patients email or phone questions in between appointments. I’ve worked and personally visited many providers in my life and it’s rare to have one as knowledgeable, accommodating, and concerned as Kristina.”

Kristen Branche WHNP

Kristen A. Branche, WHNP-BC

Kristen joined FTC in 2021 and is our lead Nurse Practitioner.  Kristen is a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and will handle your IUI’s, SHG’s, HSG’s, ultrasounds, semen analysis consultations, and assist with many aspects of your reproductive journey.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from York College of Pennsylvania, Master of Science in Nursing, and Post-Master’s Certificate (WHNP-C) from the University of Pennsylvania. Her love of warm weather brought her to Arizona in 2007, where she began working for a local OB/GYN group.  Kristen brings over 25 years of women’s health practitioner knowledge and experience to our outstanding FTC family.

shannon

Shannon L. McGrath, WHNP-BC

Shannon re-joined FTC in September 2016, after working at Red Rock Fertility Center in Las Vegas for the past three years. We were thrilled to hear she was moving back to the Valley of the Sun, as she was an integral part of our team from 2011-2013 and brings to our practice over 20 years of experience in reproductive endocrinology. Shannon is a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and will handle your IUI’s, SHG’s, ultrasounds, semen analysis consultations, and assist with many aspects of your reproductive journey. We are truly blessed to have her available to work with Dr. Craig again!

susan

Susan Johnson, RT, RDMS, RVT

Susan is our clinical sonographer, joining our team in 2010, with over 35 years of radiology experience. She is keenly aware of the stresses and concerns patients can experience while undergoing testing and treatment. Susan is able to provide your reproductive specialist with a very clear image of your eggs and ovaries allowing appropriate treatment decisions to be carried out. After a pregnancy has been established Susan will work with your providers to monitor the growth and development of the pregnancy.

What her peers have to say, “Susan is a dedicated ultrasound tech who has been in the field over 35 years. She exudes confidence and positivity as she treats patients and interacts with office staff. She is a wonderful asset to our clinic and truly makes an impression on each and every patient.”

karlea

Karlea Bader, RT, RDMS, RVT

Karlea is one of our sonographers with over 12+ years of ultrasound experience in both hospital settings as well as private practice. She has extensive experience assisting with ultrasound guided procedures. Karlea began her career as a cardiovascular technologist in California where she was exposed to the opportunity for sonography. This is where she found her calling and passion.

What her peers have to say, “Every time I see Karlea walk into our office, I’ve always seen her with a big smile on her face. She is an amazing person to work with.”

tara

Tara Lemmers, RNC

Tara joined our team in 2012 as an IVF Coordinator Registered Nurse. In 2015, she subsequently took on new duties as a lead clinical research nurse for FTC, assuring participant safety, ongoing maintenance of informed consent, integrity of protocol implementation. Currently she is our lead surgical RN that you will see if you have egg captures, embryo transfers, and/or HSG’s. Her attention to detail and compassion is a perfect combination that compliments FTC’s vision.

What her peers have to say, “Tara is the most hardworking individual that I have had the pleasure of working with. She is always very flexible and willing to do what is best for her patients and the practice. Tara is a wealth of knowledge and a joy to know.”

Clarissa Lucas

Clarissa Lucas, RDMS

Clarissa is one of our sonographers and joined FTC in 2021. With several years of ultrasound experience in both hospital settings as well as private practice. She has extensive experience with follicular measurement, transabdominal, transvaginal, breast, and obstetrical exams. You will always find Clarissa calm and courteous during all your interactions.