Welcome Gina to WEST!
WEST is excited to announce the addition of another full-time trainer, Gina Cirimele. Gina will be a lead trainer at WEST for the 3-month classes.
WEST celebrates June 2023 graduates
Located in the heart of Carlsbad, California, 2 blocks from the beach—just 25 minutes north of San Diego and a little over an hour south of Los Angeles—the World Embryology Skills and Training (WEST) Center is a state-of-the-art 3,000 sq. ft. facility designed to replicate the environment of a modern IVF laboratory.
WEST offers a comprehensive 3-month training program ideal for aspiring embryologists with little or no prior experience. The course begins with the foundational principles of male and female reproduction and progresses through all key aspects of embryology, including embryo development, culture, vitrification, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), and embryo biopsy.
Training includes both in-depth lectures and extensive hands-on lab work, with weekly written and practical assessments to reinforce learning and skill development. Detailed training records are kept for review with future employers.
Led by Debbie and Gina, two dedicated full-time trainers with over 40 years of expertise, WEST not only delivers high-quality instruction but also supports graduates with job placement assistance and professional references. Mentorship of all WEST grads is provided throughout your professional career. The success of WEST graduates is of utmost importance, as they are the reputation of WEST.
For experienced embryologists, WEST also offers advanced training courses in techniques such as vitrification, ICSI, and biopsy. Customized on-site training is available, allowing labs to receive instruction directly using their own equipment.
WEST trainees visited the Beckman Center for conservation research. Learning the wide range their skills can be applied and the impact they can have globally.
To promote the field of embryology to graduating scientists and simultaneously provide a pool of qualified candidates to laboratories in need.
To train embryologists to understand the in-depth knowledge of the science behind the skills.
To advance existing skills of the trained embryologist and expand their knowledge base allowing them to return to their labs better, more well-rounded embryologists
To accelerate the training process for the growing laboratories and allow the existing staff to concentrate on maintaining top quality patient care and outcomes.
To provide substantial hands-on training time allowing the embryologist to truly master a skill and return to the lab able to perform clinically.
More than just embryology skills. What Debbie teaches is to think critically about the procedure you are performing, to troubleshoot, and to understand the science behind why we do what we do. And it is through that, that you fall in love with the world of IVF, equipped to work in any laboratory across the country and around the globe!
Debbie is a life changer. Her love of the science and ability to teach creates an environment rich in experience, knowledge and fun. It is her teaching that cultivated my love of ART, interest in all things embryology and baseline of knowledge that propelled me into the career I have today. It was through her guidance, both in class and in choosing the right program, that has allowed me a career and life I am forever grateful for.
Debbie is not only a brilliant embryologist, but a dedicated mentor as well. In addition to providing you with a thorough and extensive skill set, Debbie will help guide you through the ART field professionally as well. I will always cherish my time spent at WEST and am eternally grateful I chose to trust in Debbie to prepare me for my dream career!
Debbie and Bill truly are the power couple of embryology and their passion for embryology is contagious. The three-month training course gave me the background knowledge and hands-on training to hit the ground running in my new position. I am beyond grateful for Debbie’s expertise, guidance, and support in making my dream of becoming an embryologist a reality!
Our staff has a combined total of over 50 years experience with embryology. To learn more about our team, please click on the profiles below.
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