At the March 2026 Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society (PCRS), Dr. Carrie Bedient was honored with the Private Practice Research Award — one of the most prestigious recognitions in reproductive medicine for clinicians conducting research outside of academic institutions. This marks the third time Dr. Bedient has received this honor, a distinction that speaks volumes about her unwavering dedication to advancing fertility science.
The award-winning research was a true team effort, representing the collaborative spirit that defines The Fertility Center of Las Vegas.
What the Research Is About
When an embryo is ready for transfer, fertility specialists evaluate its quality under a microscope. That grading process — looking at specific structural features of the embryo — has long been part of standard IVF care. But what exactly do those grades tell us? And how much do they really matter for the outcomes that patients care about most: a healthy pregnancy, a live birth, and a baby brought safely home?
That’s the question at the heart of this research. The FCLV team analyzed more than 1,350 thawed embryo transfer cycles, examining two distinct parts of the embryo and how the quality of each one independently influences outcomes. They also looked at how factors like the patient’s age and the use of genetic testing (PGT) interact with embryo quality to affect the chances of pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live birth.
The findings offer meaningful insights for patients and their care teams:
- The quality of one part of the embryo (the outer layer) was most important for achieving an initial pregnancy.
- The quality of the inner cell mass — the cells that become the baby — was the stronger predictor of whether a pregnancy would continue to live birth, regardless of whether genetic testing was used.
- Patient age and genetic testing results also played important roles in outcomes, adding nuance to how embryo grading should be interpreted for each individual.
In short: not all embryo grades are created equal, and understanding the distinct role of each component helps FCLV physicians make more informed, personalized decisions for every patient.
The Team Behind the Work
This research reflects the depth of talent and dedication across the entire FCLV team. The study was authored by:
- Dr. Carrie Bedient, MD — Reproductive Endocrinologist, FCLV
- Dr. Leah Kaye, MD — Reproductive Endocrinologist, FCLV
- Dr. Bruce Shapiro, MD, PhD — Founder & Reproductive Endocrinologist, FCLV
- Forest Garner, MS — Director of Research, FCLV
- Dr. Masumi Padhye, MD — OB/Gyn Resident, Sunrise Health GME Consortium, HCA Healthcare
The breadth of this collaboration — spanning FCLV’s physicians, research leadership, and a valued community partner — reflects the kind of rigorous, team-driven science that patients deserve from their fertility care provider. That this research also involved a resident physician reflects something FCLV takes pride in: contributing not just to the science of fertility care, but to the training of the next generation of physicians who will carry it forward.
About PCRS and This Award
The Pacific Coast Reproductive Society (PCRS) is a leading professional organization for reproductive medicine specialists. Its annual meeting brings together fertility physicians, researchers, embryologists, and allied health professionals from across the country to share the latest advances in the field.
The Private Practice Research Award specifically honors clinicians who are conducting meaningful scientific research while actively caring for patients in a private practice setting — a rare and demanding combination. Winning this award once is a significant achievement. Dr. Bedient has now won it three times, in 2019, 2022, and 2026, placing her in truly exceptional company. Dr. Shapiro has also been recognized by PCRS for his own research contributions, reflecting a long culture of scientific excellence at FCLV.
What This Means for You
At FCLV, research isn’t something that happens in a separate building far removed from patient care. It happens here, in our clinic, driven by the same physicians who will sit across from you at your consultation, review your embryos, and celebrate your milestones with you.
When our team investigates questions like how embryo quality predicts live birth, the goal is always the same: to give every patient the most informed, individualized care possible. National recognition for that work is gratifying — but the real reward is helping more families grow.
We are incredibly proud of Dr. Bedient, our entire research team, and everyone at FCLV who makes this kind of work possible.
FCLV’s awards and honors
Learn more about FCLV’s awards and recognition at our Awards & Recognition page.
Ready to start your journey with our team? Schedule a consultation today.
