Staff

Sarah MaradaSarah Marada

Practice Manager

Serving as the heart of the Fertility Institute’s organizational structure, Sarah Marada ensures that everything works smoothly, and expertly facilitates the patient experience.

Ms. Marada is a Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) with a bachelor’s degree in Science and Mathematics, whose dedication to detail combines with compassion in her responsibilities as practice manager of the Fertility Institute of NJ & NY.

A warm and compassionate multitasker, she works to ensure each and every patient receives unparalleled care. Ms. Marada tackles each of her numerous duties with passion, relishing the opportunity to educate patients and make them comfortable.

For patients navigating insurance benefits, she is an expert in maximizing coverage while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

In many ways, Ms. Marada is a patient advocate, putting her problem-solving skills into action as she guides patients through a field that often is fraught with emotion.

“My goal is to have patients leave our office with a smile,” she says. “There is something so joyously unique about what we do every day. I love coming in and helping our patients; it makes me feel fulfilled.”

Kera GarnerKera Garner, BSN, RN-BC

Clinical Manager

Kera is a board-certified nurse, and was a welcome addition to the Fertility Institute, joining our team in 2021 and assuming the role of Clinical Manager. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from St. Peter’s University and has over 2 decades of experience in nursing, most of which in the hospital setting.

A seasoned healthcare professional, Kera possesses leadership skills and exhibits a strong work ethic. She regularly identifies opportunities for process improvement, and takes the initiative to affect change, fostering a constant quality improvement atmosphere in the clinical department.

Kera was on the front lines working as an ER nurse during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, an experience that she said will have a lasting impact on her. She chose to move back into Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, a field she’s practiced in previously and is passionate about, where she draws on her own experience with fertility treatments to uniquely empathize with every patient she encounters.

Kera is married with three children and loves engaging in activities that take her outdoors. She is Reiki-certified and believes that incorporating a natural/holistic approach to health/wellness, coupled with Western medicine, is the key to longevity and overall health.

Gina Tantsits

Our senior administrator, Gina is a 22-year veteran of the FINJNY team providing excellent support to the office staff and patients. Gina is a pro at multitasking, managing busy phones, obtaining pre-authorizations and typing without skipping a beat. She never forgets a face, and has an uncanny ability to recall patient names, even when they haven’t been in our office in years. That, coupled with her warm and friendly nature when working with patients, makes her a great asset to our team. In her off-hours, she is creative and bakes delicious cakes and cupcakes, along with enjoying many other crafts.

Cathy Lane, MLT (ASCP)

Cathy has over 20 years of experience as a lab technician with the Fertility Institute. If you are here for morning monitoring, chances are you see Cathy, and patients regularly comment on what a calming and reassuring presence she is. She obtained an associate’s degree in medical technology from Felician College and is certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Prior to joining the FINJNY team, Cathy held a cross-departmental role with a private lab where she gained invaluable experience learning all aspects of the lab. She is the proud mother of a college-aged son who is currently studying criminal law.

Snehal Patel, BS

Snehal joined the Fertility Institute in February of 2015 as our Andrology Laboratory Technician and has since been promoted to Laboratory Supervisor. She is thorough, detail-oriented and warm with patients and staff. Snehal completed her BS degree in Microbiology at Sardar Patel University in Anand, India. After completing her degree, she had a passion to continue her studies in the medical laboratory field. Snehal went on to complete her postgraduate certificate as a Medical Lab Technician at Medical Care Centre Trust in Baroda, India. Prior to moving to the United States, she completed two years of clinical experience at Gunjan Laboratory in Bharuch, India. A mother of 2 young children, she is fluent in English, Gujarati & Hindi.

Eduarda Rodrigues

Eduarda joined the FINJNY team in 2018 as a welcome part of the administration department; but she was quickly transitioned to the clinical team as a medical assistant where she’s thrived for the last 2 years. Ms. Rodrigues studied to be a surgical technician at Berkeley College and after graduating decided to pursue a career in the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialty. “Helping women work through the array of emotions of infertility and fertility treatments is rewarding to me. Seeing patients leave our office, pregnant, is an incredible feeling.” Eduarda is bilingual in English and Portuguese and in her free time she enjoys exercising, reading, and going to the beach.

Ashley Brito

Ashley is a seasoned medical administrator who joined our team in 2017. In addition to her experience in medical offices she’s worked in the hospital setting in the emergency room and as a patient access coordinator where she loved to train new employees. A multitasker by nature, Ashley easily handles the busy phones, patient questions, and insurance inquiries, helping the front office to run smoothly. She is a Certified Revenue Cycle Representative through the Healthcare Financial Management Association and is fluent in English and Portuguese. When asked what her personal and professional goals are she replies “I want to positively impact the life of every person I meet. I am very personable with the patients and do my best to help them feel comfortable.” She is regularly recognized by patients for her upbeat and kind personality, and her can-do attitude.

Janine Scotti, MBA

Our Community Liaison, Janine, joined the team in 2014. She has more than 20 years of experience in medical marketing, coupled with a half-decade-long infertility struggle to welcome her own two IVF miracles. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marketing and calls her position her “dream job.” “After the heartache infertility caused me, I now come to work every day knowing that I am helping others through their own infertility journeys. That helps me to heal and fulfills me in a way no other position in my career has, to date.”

Johanna Calderon, RN

“When you love what you do for work, it never feels like work.” Johanna joined our nursing team in 2020 and has been an invaluable addition to the clinical department. She has over 9 years’ experience as an IVF/fertility nurse, and she receives frequent compliments about her funny sense of humor and her kind and empathetic approach to the patients she interacts with. When asked why she chose fertility nursing as her specialty, Johanna replied, ”this field of nursing is very rewarding and it fulfills my soul in so many ways. Becoming a parent is something many people dream of doing since childhood and it brings a beauty to life that words cannot describe. To be able to help people make this dream into a reality is a feeling unlike anything else. I also love it when patients keep in touch with us and share photos of their babies as they grow up, and we get to see the cuteness of what we helped create!” Fluent in English and Spanish, Johanna received her LPN from Eastwick College and went on to earn her RN from Hudson County Community College.

Selena Maiolo

"Grow through what you go through." Selena joined the administrative team in 2020 as a part time administrator while she attends full time nursing school at Monmouth University. Her high school studies at Bergen County Technical Schools focused on healthcare occupations, to prepare her for a future nursing career. Selena holds certification in CPR and received her certification as an EMT at 16 years old. She is also a volunteer for the Emergency Medical Services in Moonachie.

Marisa H.

Marisa joined our team in the administration department this year and brings with her over 8 years of experience in the healthcare industry in various positions and roles, mainly at Columbia University where she was responsible for insurance verifications. She obtained an Associate’s Degree in Cardio Technology, to further her knowledge and experience in healthcare. When asked why she chose to work in the field of fertility, she replied “because helping to create life is the most amazing, loving and selfless thing anyone can do.” Marisa is always seeking to help others and as such she’s an avid supporter of animal rights, human rights, and in her spare time she volunteers in animal shelters. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Marisa has a love of learning new things. “I'm most proud of being a Mom. I’m told I’m very approachable, have a great sense of humor, I always try to see the good in every person and situation.”

Dawn Garofano

Dawn joined our team in the administration department as a medical administrator in 2020. After attending Montclair State University where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in history and legal studies, Dawn chose to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. With over 12 years of experience, Dawn has held positions mainly managing the front desk functions where she is very customer-service oriented and a warm, friendly face greeting patients. She has a great amount of medical billing experience as well. A lover of nature and animals, Dawn chose to work in the fertility medical field because “I went through fertility issues myself and I love being able to help others. I take pride in my job and I am always willing to help where I can.”

Angela M. Maldonado

Angela joined the FINJNY family as our Clinical Insurance Specialist, which was a newly created position to better serve our patients’ needs regarding medication and insurance authorizations. With 4 years of experience in the healthcare setting, Angela is continuing her career development through Essex Community College, where her ultimate career goal is to earn an RN and become a fertility nurse. In the past she’s taken courses in patient care technician studies, phlebotomy, dialysis technician studies, electrocardiogram studies (EKG), and she’s completed a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Angela also served honorably for 3 years in the New Jersey Army National Guard.