Meet Our Staff

Ellen U. Snowden, M.D.

Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist
Medical Director of East Bay Fertility Center

Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and physician for the East Bay Fertility Center, directs all patient services performed by the nurse practitioner, nurses, medical assistants and office staff. Fertility Specialist Dr. Snowden is Board Certified in Obstetric, Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology with advanced Fellowship training in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women.

A former infertility patient herself, Dr. Snowden brings to her patients a rare and valuable firsthand empathy for the personal pain and emotional stress of dealing with infertility. Dr. Snowden's extensive training includes a four-year Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Michael Reese Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Antonio Scommegna, a pioneer in Reproductive Endocrinology. Her post-graduate Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility was completed at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Snowden began her professional career treating patients for infertility in Chicago over 20 years ago. Before founding East Bay Fertility Center, she served as Medical Director of The Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Sacramento. Dr. Snowden also served as Medical Director of Pacific Fertility Center.

Other positions have included Director of Women's Services at the Center for Human Reproduction in Chicago, Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University, and Instructor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Illinois. Staff privileges in California have included Mercy Hospitals and Sutter Hospitals.

Dr. Snowden is actively engaged in on-going research in infertility and has published articles in the field.

As a renowned infertility specialist, Dr. Snowden is associated with more than a dozen professional societies, including The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and The Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI).

Jodie Sandhu

Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Manager

Jodie Sandhu is a Nurse Practitioner, graduate of Stanford University, who has been in Women's Health for the last five years. Jodie holds a dual degree as a Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant. She has been in the nursing field for the last 13 years providing hands-on care to patients. During this time, Jodie has gained skills working in hospitals, emergency rooms, nursing care homes, community clinics, and family practice centers. Her role in Women's Health is one that is very proactive and supportive. She practices independence of decisions, focuses on educating the patient, and helps women realize their strengths in improving their well-being.

Jodie works with Dr. Snowden in her role as a Clinical Manager, to enhance the patient's personal experience with infertility. She guides patients from beginning to end, acting as a coordinator and nurturing patients in every way. Her goal is to provide patients with resources, strength, comfort, and success in this journey. Jodie is fluent in Spanish, Punjabi, and Hindi.

Judy Schroer

Practice Manager

Judy Schroer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Golden Gate University. Her experience encompasses 25 years' experience in the healthcare field, in various specialties.

For the past six years Judy has worked in the fertility field with Dr. Ellen Snowden. She guides patients in making decisions that will maximize their chances of becoming parents within their financial ability. Judy has a full understanding of health insurance and how it works in relation to fertility testing and treatment. She will be happy to assist you in identifying coverage and financial options available to you.

Additional Staff

Ellie Schwartzman, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Schwartzman is the former co-chair of the Gestational Carrier Task Force for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and has lectured for Resolve on third party reproductive arrangements for many years. She has served for the past 14 years as the psychologist for Women to Women Fertility Center, where she counsels and evaluates intended parents, ovum donors and gestational carriers. She has also worked extensively with reproductive endocrinologists throughout the Bay Area, providing mental health services to their patients in her Oakland private practice.

Dr. Schwartzman is the mother of adolescent twin sons through a gestational carrier. Her doctoral dissertation (1986) includes a review of the literature regarding the emotional impact of an unfavorable fertility forecast.

Dr. Schwartzman brings a scholarly interest in the field along with an empathic approach to individuals and couples in all phases of the fertility journey.