Meet Dr. Joshua Morris: Bringing World-Class Fertility Care Home to New Jersey
We’re excited to introduce Dr. Joshua Morris, the newest addition to the Extend Fertility family. With medical training spanning three continents and a passion for reproductive medicine, Dr. Morris brings his global expertise and patient-centered approach to our much-anticipated New Jersey location, coming soon.
We recently sat down with him to learn more about his journey, his philosophy on patient care, and what he’s most excited about in the field of reproductive medicine.
What drew you to reproductive medicine?
I love that it’s at the intersection of the latest science and technological advances, religion, politics and ethics. It’s a hotbed of all the latest issues, always, all the time. And that was very exciting for me.
You’ve trained across three different continents. How has this international perspective shaped your approach to patient care, and what was the most eye-opening part of caring for diverse patient populations?
My training has allowed me to experience how different patient populations seek care and advice on their reproductive goals. Interacting with such diverse communities was truly eye-opening, and it really brought home the point that everyone has different priorities and expectations.
I’ve learned to focus on finding out what’s important to patient on an individual level and to provide the most sensitive and culturally appropriate care possible.
This whole journey isn’t happening to them, but with them, and when we work together, they feel an ownership over their journey.
DR. Morris
What do you want patients to know about what it’s like to work with you?
I’m here for you. I always joke around with patients that they’re the boss and I work for them. My main goal is to help patients fulfill their goals, and that’s the center point of the conversation. I don’t have a personal agenda during a meeting or consultation.
How do you work with patients who come in a little nervous or uncertain?
My goal is to focus on patient education and empowerment. I’ve spent years studying and training to ensure that I can offer patients the best service possible. But part of every consultation and follow-up visit is reserved for patients to have time to ask any questions that they have. I want patients to walk away feeling heard, understood, and knowledgeable about their health and care.
Your research covers a range of topics, from fertility preservation to menopause. Are there particular areas where you’ve developed special expertise or passion?
My passion is for writing and reading. I love discussing the ethical implications of reproductive technologies and IVF. That’s where I spend a lot of effort writing and editing pieces about these different ventures, and it’s always an evolving topic. As you know, new technology comes almost daily.
Every single project I’ve been involved in starts with a patient’s clinical question. When patients walk through the door and there’s something puzzling I haven’t seen before or something the literature hasn’t addressed, that’s a great area for me and my colleagues. We dig into what’s going on, what’s happening with this patient, and hopefully provide better guidance forward.
My interests have manifested in different ways over the years, whether it’s IVF techniques, menopause, fertility preservation and access to care, or genetic testing.
It all starts and ends with the patient coming through the door.
What do you see as one of the most exciting advances in reproductive medicine right now?
AI is a really unique area for us practicing in the reproductive technology world. The doctors are patient-facing, but the real heroes of the story are the embryologists and people in the lab. Many new AI applications are helping augment their skills. They create outcomes that are more favorable for patients, especially for our most medically challenging patients. It’s a very exciting adventure!
AI is the undercurrent that’s driving a lot of the innovation. It helps us call massive data sets and examine any trends we need to be aware of. We can harness AI to maximize our understanding of the data and then flip it around and use that data to counsel our patients better.
What gaps in reproductive healthcare do you hope to see addressed in the coming years?
The main one on everyone’s mind is access to care. How do we better help and serve a tremendous segment of our population that doesn’t have adequate access to reproductive physicians or surgeons, or even if they do have access, they’re not able to afford it because care is costly.
If we can better maximize access for our patients and allow them to pursue their family goals, it’s certainly an area we need to invest in heavily.
What attracted you to Extend Fertility?
I love that Extend has a large emphasis on accessibility and education and empowering patients to be educated about their own options. That’s what got me interested.
I really appreciate the scale of operation – we’re a small practice, but we have a lot of longevity and data. Our results show we’re committed to patient care, and we’re doing it at the highest level possible.
But we’re still a small enough practice where you get individualized care. The doctors are very involved in your care, and I appreciate being a part of that collegial atmosphere where we are focused on our patients and trying to give them the most sensitive care.
How do you see yourself contributing to Extend’s mission?
Until now, Extend Fertility’s ability to provide care has been localized to the greater Manhattan and New York area. I hope to utilize my passion and energy to expand that mission to the Jersey shore region, Ocean County, and the greater Jackson area.
We can help a larger segment of the population get quality care, and at the same time, provide that personalized approach for patients.
How does it feel knowing you’ll be back where you grew up and that you’re now able to provide all of the knowledge and expertise you’ve gained.
We’re officially (back) in New Jersey! My wife and I are both from the area, so it’s exciting to come home. We have a lot of family here. It’s great to be able to drive by the neighborhoods where we both grew up and reflect on the privilege to provide care for our neighbors and for the people who made an impact on our lives.
When you’re not in the clinic or doing research, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m an avid swimmer and guitar player. I’ve enjoyed having a little bit of time now to get back into some of my hobbies. My wife and I also have several kids, so I enjoy time at home and engaging in my family life again. Being able to join in family activities is a welcome reason to be back.
What’s something that might surprise people about you?
I’ve lived all over the world. I did my training on 3 different continents, and I’ve traveled all across America, doing my residency in Memphis, Tennessee, and my fellowship training in Norfolk, Virginia.
When I was training in the Middle East, I was able to fully appreciate the breadth of life experiences people have and the culture and atmosphere. Bringing that into every encounter I’m having with patients is such a welcome feeling.
My English is now peppered with a little Southern flavor and some Middle Eastern and British expressions, so it’s nice bringing all those experiences into my daily language and sharing that with patients.
What do you wish patients knew before starting their fertility journey?
There’s a phrase, “An educated consumer is our best customer.” I love a well-educated patient. Patients who’ve been looking online, doing their own reading, coming up with a list of questions…that’s really exciting for me because it means that they’re super invested in their care. It lets me better address what’s really important to them.
I also like to make sure patients understand how much their doctors are thinking about them when we’re not together. Whenever I see a new research article or I’m dealing with another patient in a similar situation, I’m always thinking about my other patients in the same situation.
Standing in line for groceries, I’m thinking about an outcome and how we can do better for them and similar patients. It’s important for my patients to know that we are deeply invested in their care and always thinking about them.
This experience is very socially, emotionally, and financially taxing. Anything I can do to help alleviate any of these burdens is good for patients and good for me.
Genetics is one of your research topics. Can you talk about what role genetics plays in fertility treatment today?
Genetics is intimately involved in fertility and reproductive medicine, and it’s only getting more enmeshed as we learn more about genetics. We are able to better reflect on how genetics impact fertility care.
It’s almost a prerequisite at this point the REIs being trained have a fundamental, thorough understanding of genetics.
It certainly doesn’t replace genetics counselors and teams, but we have to be able to understand the platforms and tests we’re offering patients to better counsel them on expected outcomes and repercussions of those tests.
Are there any ethical considerations that have been particularly tricky to navigate concerning genetic testing?
This field is full of ethical landmines. The goal is to be able to have the best data possible to inform our ethical decisions.
We’re not making moral judgements on people or telling them what they can or can’t do. It’s more about coloring in the finer details of these issues. It helps patients navigate their own quandaries and morality so they can navigate the treatments and care that’s appropriate for them and their own cultural, ethical, and moral sensitivities.
My job is to thread that line for the patients and present each side, help them understand the implications, and let the patient sit with that to make the best decision for them.
I’m never opposed to patients doing their own research. That clues me into your value system and what matters to you. I always tell patients after a consult, you’re likely to have many more questions once you leave. Don’t be afraid of that. That’s normal.
Inevitably once you leave the doctor’s office and you get to your car or get on the subway, that’s when the million-dollar question comes up.
What’s been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
The most rewarding thing was the first time I did an embryo transfer and call the patient with a positive pregnancy test. Walking a patient for an initial consultation, through a confirmed pregnancy, and discharging them off to their OB, was incredible.
When that couple came back for a second baby, I was over the moon. I cherish that experience. It’s such a privilege to be in this position.
In high school, people asked me what I wanted to be, and I always said I wanted to be a doctor. When asked what kind, throughout everything, without fail, this has always been the goal. I’ve always wanted to help people build their families in the most fitting way for them. The fact that I’ve been able to do that through all of the twists and turns of training and life is extremely gratifying.
To be able to walk into the office every day and say, “This is my life’s mission, this is the goal and what I get to do with my life…I couldn’t be happier.”
Start Your Fertility Journey with Dr. Morris
Dr. Morris is now seeing patients at our New York office and will soon be seeing patients in New Jersey. Whether you’re considering egg freezing, exploring IVF, or have questions about your fertility options, he’s here to help.
Contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Morris.
