Home Physicians Carol Lesser

Carol Lesser, NP

Carol Lesser, NP - a Nurse Practitioner at Boston IVF's Waltham and Stoneham Centers, is committed to guiding patients through their fertility journey with expert assessments, tailored treatment plans, and compassionate care.

Awards

Boston Globe Salute to Nurses | 2019, 2024

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Carol Lesser, NP

Biography

Carol Lesser, a women’s health Nurse Practitioner with Boston IVF since 1988, has provided infertility services to couples in the Boston area for more than 30 years. She specializes in all aspects of infertility care. She earned a BS in Psychology from Cornell University, a BSN from SUNY at Stony Brook, and an MSN and Nurse Practitioner degree with a specialty in OB/GYN from Boston College. She later earned her Post Masters in Women’s Health from Kent State University. A previous member of Resolve of the Bay State, a member of American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the New England Fertility Society, Carol was the 2006 recipient of the national Jean Purdy Visionary Award for Excellence in Reproductive Nursing and the 2009 recipient of RESOLVE's Hope Award for Service. She lectures frequently on topics including IVF nursing care and is the co-chair of Start ART - the annual North American IVF nurse’s congress. Additionally, she has authored several publications on infertility for medical journals, ASRM abstracts, online newsletters, and CME programs.

Interview

Carol Lesser, NP

MD Q&A

Why Did You Become a Fertility Expert?
As a women’s health nurse practitioner I have had the pleasure of working with women throughout the life cycle, providing care to adolescents as well as the elderly. However, once I was introduced to the world of infertility, I knew I had found my home. We are charged with accompanying women and men through a most challenging chapter in their lives which requires sensitivity and a grasp of our complex and continually evolving field. I feel it is a privilege to assist individuals and couples through this process and find the ever expanding science behind what we provide to be fascinating. I feel it is a privilege to accompany fertility patients through one of the most intimate and important experiences of their adult lives.

What About Boston IVF Makes You Proud?
While we are the largest IVF center in the country we strive for each patient to feel known and cared for individually. It has been this way since the beginning. We are always looking for ways to become even more patient friendly and want our patients to know that their experience and cycle outcome matter to us too. We don’t want our patients to feel alone and hope they can sense that we are with them on their quest towards creating family, offering the most current fertility techniques and advice available to help them achieve success.

What is Your Approach to Patient Care?
Struggling with infertility can be an especially humbling, frustrating and painful process. I have learned how important it is to let patients speak their mind. I want them to tell me what is truly bothering them because it may not be exactly what I had presumed. Once I understand their needs I will do whatever I can to assist them in a way most helpful to them. I have learned that minimizing concerns or fears is not helpful. But when someone’s fears cloud their objectivity, I want to focus first on helping them regain their equilibrium so they can be their strongest self while going through this process. We are fortunate at Boston IVF to have many support services and I freely encourage our patients to take advantage of what we offer and to meet the wonderful people who can offer extra support and counseling when needed.

Have Any Patients Truly Inspired You?
Often patients and their IVF nurses and physicians form a special bond. Every holiday season I am moved to tears by the patients, sometimes from decades past, who keep in touch and want to share the beautiful stories and photos of the growing families we helped them create.

What Makes Working at Boston IVF Great?
I have worked at Boston IVF since 1988, just a short time after they opened their doors. I have watched us grow from a small center to become the largest IVF center in the country, providing state of the art fertility care in a nurturing and patient friendly way and environment. Our staff is deeply committed to assisting individuals and couples resolve their quest towards parenthood as humanely and efficiently as possible. I have stayed here for close to 3 decades because I could not imagine working elsewhere and am proud to be part of our multidisciplinary team.

How Do You Spend Your Free Time?
I tend to work hard and play hard. So in my free time I am a yoga enthusiast as well as a huge fan of live music that I can dance to. I also love to cook and create delicious healthy offerings for friends and family.

Where is the One Place You'd Like to Visit?
I absolutely love to travel and my bucket list is way too long to choose only one place. I must make it to Italy, Spain, Greece and Israel in the near future and any beachy warm place sounds like heaven whenever winter is fast approaching.

Which Music Do You Enjoy Listening To?
I have eclectic taste that runs from classic rock to world music and jazz. I have a special place in my heart for the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Bruce Springsteen.

How Would You Describe Your Personality?
While I was born introverted and understand shy natures, as an adult I am extremely open, outgoing, friendly and truly love to meet people of all backgrounds and walks of life.

What's the Most Recent Book You've Read?
I just finished 2 books: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante and The Nix by Nathan Hill.