Staff
Sarah 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.”
Alyson Butler, PA
Fertility, IVF and Third Party
Reproduction Coordinator
Alyson Butler brings a broad range of knowledge and nearly 17 years of experience to her patients at the Fertility Institute of NJ & NY. Board Certified with a specialization in Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, she is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Ms. Butler joined the Fertility Institute of NJ & NY team in 2002 after completing the Masters-level Physician Assistant program at Touro College. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University.
She obtained the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification in March 2002 and was re-certified in 2014, demonstrating her dedication to Assisted Reproductive Technology.
A former fertility patient, Ms. Butler brings with her first-hand knowledge of Assisted Reproductive Technology, affording a unique in-depth and compassionate perspective to her patients.
This combination of medical knowledge and personal experience has proven especially useful for patients who are nervous about beginning or continuing with treatments. Alyson takes the time to let every patient at the Fertility Institute of NJ & NY know they are not alone.
Ms. Butler independently conducts new patient consultations including full medical examinations and evaluation of medical history, offering the same high-quality care as the physicians.
Alyson also coordinates all third-party reproductive procedures, including gestational carriers, egg donation, sperm donation, and partner-to-partner egg donation. As Egg Donor Coordinator, Ms. Butler works directly with patients to facilitate a seamless egg donation and recipient process.
Alyson is bilingual in English and Hebrew and she is proud of the work she does at the Fertility Institute of NJ & NY, where we feel that all patients should be treated like family. Ms. Butler truly embodies this philosophy and treats people with empathy, sensitivity, and warmth, which has been noted by so many of our current and former patients.
Heidi Chi, RN, BSN
Clinical Manager
Heidi was a welcome addition to the Fertility Institute, joining our team in 2020. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree before taking on further knowledge and completed another Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Seton Hall University.
A seasoned healthcare professional of almost 2 decades, Ms. Chi possesses leadership skills and exhibits a strong work ethic. A passionate leader, she continuously identifies opportunities to drive initiatives in her position to provide the most accurate and compassionate care she can to all of the patients she encounters.
Heidi believes that “one of the accountabilities of a healthcare professional is to give back to the community.” As such, she has donated her time and services in raising money for multiple sclerosis and St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Heidi is fluent in English and Spanish and is a member of Society of HR Management and AAPC Advancing the Business of Healthcare.
Tanisha Henry, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Tanisha is a seasoned healthcare professional bringing with her almost 2 decades of compassionate nursing experience. After many years of working as a medical-surgical nurse, in post-surgical recovery in the PACU, and almost a decade in the emergency room, Tanisha found herself caring for patients in a different capacity; by helping them navigate through the emotional journey to become parents in the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility sub-specialty. Known for her soft-spoken, gentle style of caring for patients, her can-do attitude, and always willing to pitch in and help, Ms. Henry has always looked to further her already impressive career, by always educating herself and taking on new challenges. She studied to be an LPN prior to earning her RN in 2006; and became a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in 2018. Certified in ACLS and BLS, Tanisha is a member of ASRM (American Society of Reproductive Medicine) and AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners). Her personal motto is a quote by C.S. Lewis: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
“I want to always provide high quality nursing care for patients undergoing fertility treatment; providing a warm and compassionate environment where the privacy and individual needs of each patient is respected. I am here to help patients build their families, one pregnancy at a time.”
Melissa Connolly, PA
Physician Assistant
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.”
Melissa joined our clinical team as a Physician Assistant in 2020. Coming to us with 14 years in women’s healthcare under her belt, 12 of which were spent at OB/GYN offices, Melissa brings experience, understanding, and compassion to every patient she has the pleasure of meeting. A lifelong learner, Melissa states, “I will never stop increasing and improving upon my professional knowledge and training.”
A member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Melissa started her career in healthcare at Seton Hall University where she was accepted into the “3+3 program.” There, she earned her undergraduate Bachelor’s of Science degree, her Graduate Master’s of Science degree, and ultimately received her certification in Physician Assistant Studies.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Melissa’s motto towards life is to “practice gratitude. I am most appreciative to have learned this way of viewing life, and it has served me well.”
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.
Teri Cantamessa
After working tirelessly with FINJNY for 6 years, Teri has chosen to spend her days in retirement-- which is well deserved after a long career in healthcare administration! We wish her well and hope she spends her days doing exactly what makes her happy!!
Adrienne Marciniak, RN, BSN
Adrienne is a seasoned fertility nurse, who joined our team with over 2 decades of clinical experience, 13 of which she has spent in fertility. Ms. Marciniak obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at William Paterson University. An active member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), Adrienne passed the Reproductive Endocrinology Nurse Certification Course and holds certifications for both BLS (Basic life support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac life support). When asked why Adrienne chose fertility as her specialty, she responded “I enjoy working in the field of women's health and providing guidance to couples faced with infertility. I have been told I am very approachable and real, and I try to incorporate humor to ease stress. I enjoy teaching classes and I try to break things down into simple terms to help alleviate anxiety for patients going through the fertility process.” Adrienne counts being a mother of 2 sweet girls “who keep me very busy”, her proudest achievement.
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.