Our Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Team

 

Leslie Coker Appiah, MD

Division Chief, Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Director, CU Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Program
Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Leslie Appiah is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus and Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Children's Hospital Colorado. She serves as Division Chief of General Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects program at the Colorado Cancer Center and Children's Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Dr. Appiah attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed residency at Sinai Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. She subsequently completed a research fellowship in reproductive genetics and clinical fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Appiah is also a Clinical Research/Reproductive Scientist Training scholar through ASRM and the NICHD. Dr. Appiah has expertise in oncofertility, is well-published and speaks extensively across the nation. She is co-founder of the Pediatric Initiative Network of the Oncofertility Consortium where she served as chair for 5 years and is currently co-chair of the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Reproductive Late Effects Committee of the Oncofertility Consortium. Dr. Appiah's clinical and research interests include fertility preservation in pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer, reproductive late effects in cancer survivorship and hormone replacement therapy in the medically complex patient.

 

Guluzar Arzu Turan, MD

Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Research Director, CU Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Program

Dr. Guluzar Arzu Turan, joins the Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Program at the University of Colorado from Canada, with her enthusiasm and diverse background spanning clinical practice, research, and education. She is dedicated to bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for making meaningful contributions to the field.

Originally hailing from Turkiye, Guluzar Arzu began her journey completing medical school and OB-GYN residency, where she gained invaluable clinical experience and developed a deep understanding of women's health issues. Her dedication to advancing knowledge led her to pursue opportunities in research and teaching, allowing her to share her expertise and contribute to the academic community.

Throughout her career, Arzu has had the privilege of working in diverse settings, including Turkiye, Nigeria, and Canada, enriching her perspective and broadening her understanding of global healthcare challenges. Her research endeavors have focused on infertility and general OB-GYN, resulting in publications that reflect her commitment to advancing medical science and improving patient care.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Arzu is fueled by a love for learning and a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. She thrives in environments that celebrate diversity and foster collaboration, and she is dedicated to supporting and empowering those around her.

On a personal level, she finds joy in exploring new places and cultures. Family and friends are the anchor of her life, and she cherishes the moments spent creating memories with them.

 

Mikayla Ecker, BSN, RN, CPN

Fertility Preservation Specialty Coordinator, CU Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Program

Mikayla Ecker is the Fertility Preservation Specialty Coordinator. Graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a BSN and has been working in pediatric nursing for 8 years with experience in medical-surgical (including oncology), ambulatory primary care, and transgender care. She was a recipient of the DAISY award in 2023. Dedicated to providing compassionate, quality, and impactful care for all patients/families.

 

 

Patricia Huguelet, MD

Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Section Chief, Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Tricia Huguelet is the Section Chief for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology and has clinical and research interests in adolescent heavy menstrual bleeding and blood disorders, as well as resident research. She is the Medical Director for the Young Women's Bleeding Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado. She was recently awarded first place oral presentation at the Association of Professors in Obstetrics and Gynecology for her research in education of medical trainees in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, utilizing online multi-modal learning modules. Dr. Huguelet also has clinical interests in transgender medicine. She and her team were awarded the University of Colorado Medical Staff Award for Excellence in Clinical Innovation in 2019, for cofounding the University of Colorado Health Integrated Transgender Clinic.

 

Veronica Alaniz, MD

Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Veronica Alaniz is fellowship trained in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology and has a clinical interest in congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract. She provides care across the lifespan with clinics at Children's Hospital Colorado, UC Health, and Denver Health. Dr. Alaniz cares for patients with complex gynecologic needs in several multidisciplinary settings including the Sex Development Outcomes-Achieving Results (SOAR) Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, dedicated to patients with Differences of Sex Development (DSD/Intersex), the International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care at Children's Hospital Colorado, dedicated to patients with anorectal malformations, and the Integrated Transgender Clinic at UCHealth.

 

 

Alex Polotsky, MD, MS

Division Chief, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility & Medical Director (SGF)

Dr. Polotsky completed his undergraduate studies at University of Maryland and received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Cornell Medical Center and his fellowship at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Subsequently, Dr. Polotsky has earned his Master of Science degree in Clinical Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His thesis explored the links between adolescent obesity and reduced lifetime fertility.

Dr. Polotsky joined the faculty at the University of Colorado in 2010. He serves as the Medical Director for Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) in Denver, Colorado. He actively publishes in many areas of reproductive endocrinology. He co-authored a chapter entitled “Nutrition and Reproduction” for the Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology, the most recommended book in the field, along with Dr. Santoro. In his free time, Dr. Polotsky enjoys skiing, biking and hiking with his wife and five children.

 

Cassandra Roeca, MD

Assistant Clinical Professor, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility & Physician (SGF)

Dr. Cassandra Roeca was born in Mountain View, CA, and raised in Colorado Springs, CO. She completed undergraduate studies in molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She worked in biomedical sales at Agilent Technologies in La Jolla, CA, prior to attending medical school at the University of Colorado. Dr. Roeca completed her OB-GYN residency training at Harvard's integrated residency program at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. She specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Clinical and research interests include fertility preservation, reproductive aging, menopause and effects of IVF on placental and fetal development. She received the President's Presenter's Award from the Society for Reproductive Investigation for her thesis work studying the effects of vitrification and the superovulatory environment on placental function and fetal growth in an IVF mouse model. Dr. Roeca is a proud member of the Colorado Fertility Associates who helped pass the Colorado Building Families Act in 2020 to provide fertility preservation and infertility coverage for Colorado families. She currently practices out of Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) in Denver, Colorado.

 

 

Anna Franklin, MD

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Anna Franklin is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Cancer and Blood Disorders at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Franklin has a background in Internal Medicine with expertise in the care of adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood disorders. For the last nine years, she has led the Oncofertility Consultation Service to counsel patients and discuss possibilities for fertility preservation. She also co-chaired the creation of clinical guidelines for Fertility Preservation at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Franklin is a collaborator on the Oncofertility Registry Study at the University of Colorado, and has extensive experience in clinical trials leadership, serving as the primary investigator of 12 clinical trials in pediatric oncology, as well as a co-investigator on dozens more.

 

Jenna Sopfe, MD

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Jenna Sopfe is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and is a pediatric solid tumor oncologist and survivorship specialist in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She has clinical and research interests in sexual and reproductive health and long-term quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and survivors. Specifically, her research focuses on improving sexual health screening related to sexual function concerns in pediatric cancer survivors. She serves on the Fertility Preservation team as an oncology and survivorship liaison, helping to develop clinical and research practices for the team.

 

Anna Linton, PA-C

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Anna Linton is an physician assistant and instructor in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO). She specializes in inpatient pediatric cancer care as well as cancer survivorship in the HOPE Survivorship Program and TACTIC Program. She has special interests in cancer survivorship and fertility preservation in oncology patients. She has presented her research on pediatric cancer survivorship at national and international conferences.

 

 

Laurel Riess, CPNP

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Laurel Riess is a pediatric nurse practitioner and instructor at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO). She specializes in inpatient pediatric cancer care. Her special interests include quality improvement, resident education, and fertility preservation in pediatric oncology patients. Her most recent quality improvement work won the top poster award at the Association for Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses (APHON) 2019 National Conference and CHCO's 2019 Quality Improvement Symposium.

 

 

Nicholas Cost, MD

Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Nick Cost is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery and Division of Urology. He serves as the Co-Director of the Surgical Oncology Program at the Children's Hospital Colorado. Nick completed undergraduate training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and then went on to Emory University in Atlanta, GA for Medical School and subsequently did urology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, TX. He stayed in Dallas and completed fellowship training in Urologic Oncology at UT-Southwestern. Next, he moved to Cincinnati, OH for Pediatric Urology fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Nick concentrates his clinical and research efforts in the areas of Urologic Oncology and Pediatric Urology. He focuses on testicular cancer and kidney cancer, specifically in the pediatric, adolescent and young adult population.

 

Randall Meacham, MD

Urology Chief

Dr. Randall B. Meacham is Professor and Chief of Urology at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. He is also Director of the Urology Residency Training program. Dr. Meacham is a nationally recognized specialist in urologic microsurgery and has performed over 2,000 microsurgical procedures. His clinical practice specializes in the evaluation and management of male infertility. As a member of the multidisciplinary Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) team at University of Colorado Hospital, Dr. Meacham's clinical activities also include advanced fertility testing and surgical sperm harvesting. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas, Dr. Meacham attended Medical School at Baylor College of Medicine. Thereafter, he completed his urology residency and a fellowship in male reproductive medicine and surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Meacham is an internationally recognized opinion leader in the area of male reproductive medicine and surgery. He has published numerous papers and lectures extensively on male fertility. Additionally, he is Past-President of the Society of the Study of Male Reproduction - the country's premier organization dedicated to the treatment of male fertility problems. Dr. Meacham has been named in as one of Denver's Top Doctors by 5280 Magazine for the past 5 years. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the American Urological Association.

 

Brian Miller, MPAS

Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital Colorado

Brian Miller is the Lead Advanced Practice Provider for Pediatric Urology at Children's Hospital Colorado. Prior to his career in pediatrics, he worked in adult urology with extensive experience in the operating room as well as clinic. His current clinical practice includes a focus on management of voiding dysfunction, urinary tract infections, nocturnal enuresis as well a surgical diagnosis such as hypospadias, undescended testicles, vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis and nephrolithiasis. Brian represents urology on the pediatric kidney transplant team at Children's Hospital in addition to staffing our CAKUT clinic in combination with Nephrology. He is currently leading an effort to establish a pediatric surgical Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship training program at Children's Colorado.

 

 

Linda Overholser, MD

Medical Director TACTIC (Thriving After Cancer Treatment is Complete)

Since starting as faculty in the Division of General Internal Medicine in 2005, Dr. Linda Overholser has pursued academic and clinical activities that help support patients across the spectrum of cancer, from evidence based strategies to prevent cancer, to screening and diagnosis, through survivorship and throughout the balance of a person's life. Dr. Overholser is currently the Medical Director for the internal medicine-based pediatric cancer follow up and transition survivorship clinic, TACTIC (Thriving After Cancer Treatment is Complete), and the University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center representative on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Survivorship Guidelines Panel. With peer reviewed funding from the American Cancer Society as well as the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer institute, she has led studies in the development of other innovative clinical and educational survivorship interventions at the University of Colorado as well as in rural communities in Colorado.