About Viera Fertility Center
Philosophy
Since the inception of Viera Fertility Center in 1996, our primary goal has been to provide state-of-the-art personalized care in the field of reproductive medicine. We offer exceptional care while providing support for your physical and emotional needs. We are proud to provide our patients with the following:
- Positive Clinical Success
- Personalized Evidence Based Treatments
- Cutting Edge Technology
- Full Diagnostic Testing and Therapies
- Highly Skilled Staff
- Advanced Care With a Personal Touch
- Warm and Friendly Atmosphere
Viera Fertility Center’s success is measured by the number of pregnancies achieved in our patients through assisted reproduction and in vitro fertilization. Our outcomes are reported yearly to the Society of Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
We feel it is a privilege to care for our patients. Our expert team will provide you with the highest standards of compassionate care. Viera Fertility Center is committed to helping you fulfill your family building dreams.
Please feel free to stop by at any time for a private tour of our facility. We would be honored to assist you in your fertility journey.
Dr. Diran Chamoun
Dr. Chamoun relocated to Brevard County in 1996 after completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Pennsylvania State University, and a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Maryland. He founded the first infertility practice in Brevard County and introduced in vitro fertilization in 1999. Dr. Chamoun is currently the medical director of Viera Fertility Center in Melbourne. He provides families with personalized care and state-of-the-art resources for reproductive care.
Dr. Chamoun has extensive experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various endocrinologic and reproductive disorders. His interests include general infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurrent pregnancy loss, and assisted reproduction. He also specializes in minimally invasive procedures including laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery.
Dr. Chamoun is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). He has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals and has lectured at national meetings.
Dr. Steven R. Lindheim, MD, MMM,FACOG
Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology
Dr Steven R. Lindheim comes to us most recently from Dayton, Ohio, where he served as Director for Wright State University Reproductive Endocrine Infertility Program and Shanghai China where he established the first International Infertility Clinic as a Visiting Professor at Jiatong School of Medicine and Renji Hospital. He previously was at the University of Cincinnati and Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where he was the division chief and medical director for the division of Reproductive Endocrine & Infertility. He graduated from the Temple School of Medicine and was a resident at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Lindheim completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at USC, and is currently Board Certified in both Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
Dr. Lindheim is a well-recognized expert in the field of assisted reproduction, has over 250 scientific publications and book chapters, and is past president for the Society for Reproductive Surgeons and serves as Associate Editor to our leading journal, Fertility Sterility. He has also established Surgical Centers of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Surgery. Dr Lindheim’s areas of interest and research are In-vitro fertilization, 3rd Party Reproduction, Bioethics, and Minimally Invasive Surgery.
His empathetic and personal approach to couples seeking gynecologic and reproductive care has been recognized by his peers who awarded him “Top Doctor” and he has been named one of the Best Doctors in America. Recognizing the need for patient education, Dr. Lindheim has been an active participant in such societies as Resolve and the American Infertility Association
Dr. Lindheim is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the Society of Reproductive Endocrine Infertility (SREI). He has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals and has lectured at national meetings.
Dr. Lindheim is happily married to his beautiful wife, Randee, for 34 years and has two wonderful children Adam and Jaryd and their two beautiful wives, Odette and Camille. During his free time, Dr. Lindheim is an avid tennis player and cyclist.
Viera Fertility Center’s Laboratories and Staff
Our Embryology and Andrology Laboratories are licensed by the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Division of Health Quality Assurance, and are accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA). All of our laboratory personnel are licensed by the State of Florida Department of Health (DOH) and have certifications and extensive experience in the field of Assisted Reproduction.
Embryologist and Clinical Laboratory Director
Jeffrey Knickerbocker, M.S., Ph.D., HCLD/CC(ABB)
Dr. Knickerbocker has been working as a Clinical Laboratory Director and Embryologist since 1989. Jeffrey earned a Masters in Embryology at Clemson University and Doctorate in Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology at the University of Florida. He has authored 41 scientific papers and trained over 25 successful embryologists and andrologists working in the field today. Dr. Knickerbocker is board certified as a High Complexity Laboratory Director with specialties in Andrology and Embryology and is licensed by the State of Florida as a Clinical Laboratory Director.
He relocated to the Space Coast from Miami, and joined Dr. Diran Chamoun and the team at Viera Fertility Center in January of 2017. Dr. Knickerbocker’s is skilled in embryo culture techniques, fertility preservation (egg and sperm cryopreservation), embryo biopsy for genetic screening, embryo cryopreservation, and frozen embryo transfer. Dr. Knickerbocker’s expertise in laboratory quality control and management has expanded the technical laboratory services that are offered to our patients. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Holly, visiting his grandchildren, oil painting, woodworking, boating and attempting to surf.
Dr Knickerbocker and the staff at Viera Fertility Center believe that patient education is tremendously important in providing patients with the best resources, understanding, and answers to their questions. Improving patient knowledge and understanding of the ‘unknown’ provides a degree of reassurance and reduces stress during treatment.
Andrologists
Whitney Bevis, BS, MT/ALS (AAB)
Whitney is a Florida certified Clinical Laboratory Technologist qualified in Andrology and Embryology. She joined Viera Fertility in May of 2020 and serves as the Andrology Laboratory Supervisor. She received her B.S. degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. From there, she received additional training in Medical Laboratory Science and certifications in Hematology, Andrology, and Embryology from the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB).
Whitney has worked for over 10 years as an Andrologist in large labs such as IVF Florida in Margate, FL and Shady Grove Fertility in Rockville, MD. She has also assisted in the Embryology and Endocrine Laboratory in different capacities during these years. She is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the College of Reproductive Biology and is currently studying to enhance her certifications with the American Board of Bioanalysts (ABB). In her free time, she stays busy with her 3 children, seeking out craft coffee roasters, and stand-up paddle boarding.
Viera Fertility Center’s Clinical Staff
Clinical Manager and Nurse Coordinator
Shelley Donovan, RN
Shelley joined our family in 2009. She received her B.S. in Nursing from Creighton University in Omaha, NE. Shelley has over 30 years of experience in nursing. She has worked in Adult ICU, as a liver transplant nurse coordinator, research nurse coordinator, and operating room nurse. Shelley’s passion for patient advocacy has helped her excel in the treatment of infertility. At home, she keeps busy with her husband and children. Shelley loves to travel, scuba dive, and spend time at the beach.
Nursing Team
Deena Sansuk, RN
Katherine Alred, MA
Ashley Lee, RN
Dominique Solano, RN
Viera Fertility Center’s Office Staff
Office Administrator
Karen O’Quinn
Karen joined Dr. Chamoun in 2004 with more than 20 years of experience in the Obstetrics/Gynecology/Infertility field. She studied Nursing and Accounting at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS. Karen is very knowledgeable in all aspects of the practice and is passionate about assisting patients regarding insurance and billing issues. She has personal experience with infertility and is committed to helping patients achieve a positive experience. Karen and her husband, Lee, have had many opportunities to visit and live in many places during Lee’s military career, before choosing to move to Central Florida. She enjoys traveling, crafts, sewing, and most of all…spending time with her family and three grandchildren.
Reception Staff
Rhonda Selice
Assistant to the Office Administrator, Patient Scheduling, Insurance Verification, Phone Reception
Lynee Poore
Patient Scheduling, Insurance Verification, Phone Reception
Maria Johnson
Patient Scheduling, Insurance Verification, Phone Reception
Briana Lester
Patient Scheduling, Insurance Verification, Phone Reception
Debbie Daniello
Patient Scheduling, Insurance Verification, Phone Reception
Affiliations
Dr. Chamoun has several professional affiliations that speak to his training and expertise in the field of infertility medicine. Dr. Chamoun is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. He is licensed by the National Board of Medical Examiners and has worked as a clinical instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Chamoun maintains the following active professional memberships:
Dr. Chamoun maintains admitting privileges at several Melbourne area hospitals. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles on the science of endocrinology and infertility and he looks forward to working with you to meet your family planning needs at Viera Fertility Center.