P.A.R.E.S. - Philadelphia Area Reproductive Endocrine Society

The Philadelphia Area Reproductive Endocrine Society is committed to promoting continuing education for reproductive endocrinologists in the tri-state area and to facilitate the exchange of ideas in this field. This mission is accomplished by providing regularly scheduled educational opportunities through cutting-edge information provided by celebrated professionals in their particular areas of endeavor.

MEETING - SAVE THE DATE

Philadelphia Area Reproductive Endocrine Society
invites you to an IN-PERSON meeting.

Topic: "One in a Billion: AI Meets Male Factor Infertility”"

Thursday, December 3, 2026

S. Zev Williams, MD, PhD

Columbia University Fertility Center

TIME: Cocktails 6:00 pm, Dinner and Program 7:00 pm

VENUE: Philadelphia Marriott Old City, One Dock Street, Philadelphia

-----REGISTRATION-----

PRESIDENT'S GREETING - October 2026

Dear Colleagues and Friends of P.A.R.E.S.,

It was wonderful to see everyone at the PARES meeting in April! Many colleagues expressed how much they missed the camaraderie of the PARES meetings. We plan to build on that success by bringing you cutting edge topics in our field. It was a fun mix of younger physicians and allied staff, plus the more seasoned as well as the surprise appearance of legends like Dr. Alan DeCherney. This led to lively discussions with our lecturer, Dr. Steven Katz. He gave us a lot of interesting scenarios to ponder and how to manage these potential risks. I am hopeful that all who attended felt that it was a very thought-provoking evening and well worth the time.

Our next meeting will be on December 3 with Dr. Zev Williams so please register today. It is going to be a lecture highlighting brand new technology entitled “One in a Billion: AI Meets Male Factor Infertility”. Dr. Williams will describe how AI can find sperm when other methods fail.

Dr. Williams is Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He completed his MD and PhD training in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed his Residency at Bringham and Women's Hospital and then Fellowship at Weill/Cornell. He lectured several years ago at PARES on recurrent pregnancy loss. Now he has shifted his research focus to AI.

I wish to continue to rejuvenate PARES, an organization that has opened doors for communication, education and understanding with our local colleagues throughout the years. This year we are going to forgo dues in the hope that this will attract more interested physicians and staff to the in-person events. We hope to announce another lecture in the spring as well. Please share the best way to reach out to our colleagues as many institutional emails may block our messages. Any input on topics that you would like to discuss is also welcomed.

AI was a major focus at ASRM this year. There were over 200 mentions of AI in the program. I have included a small number of abstracts in the newsletter. Hopefully, after Dr Zev William's lecture there will be a lively discussion about how AI is going to change our field. It will be very interesting to hear everyone's opinion. Please be sure to add December 3 to your calendar and spread the word.

Warm Regards,

Wendy J. Schillings, MD FACOG
President 2025-2027