Dr. Ringland Smith Murray, MD

The decision to become a reproductive endocrinologist was influenced in a large part by Dr. Murray and his wife’s experiences with infertility.

“In 1997, we learned that we would require in vitro fertilization to conceive. I don’t know whether it’s a blessing or a curse, but I think it’s made me a better doctor. I have been in the chair where my patients now sit.

I lived with that same despair and their feelings of hopelessness. By being one, I learned a great deal of what is important to a fertility patient. Direct, honest answers from a person who truly cares makes all the difference in the world.”

After seven years, five failed fresh IVF cycles, and numerous failed frozen cycles at various fertility centers, the Murrays finally did conceive and give birth to their first child at UNC Hospitals. They now have two children by in vitro fertilization.

“The cruel truth of statistics tells me that I won’t be able to help every single patient who walks through …our doors. About 85 percent will be successful, will get pregnant and have a child. But the truth is, that’s not the most important part of my job.

When a patient gets pregnant, that’s the easy part. The most important part of my job comes when a patient does not conceive, or has yet another loss. I think the most important thing I do is to ease the path. No matter what happens, my goal is that the patient has a better experience because I was there.”