Joseph M. Letourneau

Description

Joseph Letourneau, MD is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist, and Fertility Preservation Director in the Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine. His clinical interests include: infertility, family building after a cancer diagnosis, reproductive endocrine disorders, and recurrent pregnancy loss. His research focuses on the effects of chemotherapy exposure on ovarian function and pregnancy outcomes.Dr. Letourneau"s own medical journey informs his care of patients with infertility: “Most of us take our ability to eat for granted, and most of us love to talk about food – these are social norms. When I was in my mid-twenties, I lost my ability to swallow food, as an autoimmune disease paralyzed my esophagus. Something I did not expect happened to me: the less I could eat, the more I heard people talk about food, the more isolated I felt. A surgery eventually helped to restore the function of my esophagus. Not only did the surgery restore my ability to eat, but my doctors helped me find a renewed sense of normalcy and happiness. From what I have observed, the infertility journey can be a similar struggle. Many people may take becoming pregnant for granted, and many people love to talk about their kids – these are also social norms. Unfortunately, social norms like this are not very sensitive to the difficulties of struggling to conceive. I look forward to helping patients build their families and to helping them process feelings, both expected and unexpected, that may arise along the path to parenthood.”Dr. Letourneau grew up in a small fishing town in Michigan. He received his bachelor"s degree from the University of Michigan, and earned his medical degree at University of California, San Francisco"s (UCSF) School of Medicine, where he became interested in fertility preservation for patients diagnosed with cancer. After medical school, he completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UCSF. Outside of the clinic, he enjoys telling jokes with his wife, biking, playing ice hockey, writing, and cooking.