Our Providers

July 1998-June 2002Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Loma Linda University-White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles 90033

July 2002- June 2006

Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA 90033

Feb 2004-Feb2005

Co-Director, Fellowship in Maternity and Child Health Development

Department of Family Medicine University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033

July 2006-June 2009

Fellow and Clinical Instructor
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (Division Chief: Steven Nakajima, MD) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202

July 2018-Present

Laboratory Director
MFC LAB

July 2009-Present

Medical Director

Marin Fertility Center.

Dr. Uzelac’s journey from founder to streering MFC’s helm for the past 15 years has endowed him with the one of kind perspective. His multifaceted role as physician, lab director and

Owner/operator of MFC goes beyond addressing complex cases; it fuels innovation and constant improvements in care delivery.
Understanding the fertility journey through the eyes of the patients and from every angle has always been.

Dr. U goals. He leverages his atypical experience to address not only the medical aspects but also the emotional and financial burdens patients may carry. With one foot in the clinic and one in the lab (and extra one in administration), Dr. U unparalleled depth and breadth of experience ensures that each and every MFC patient benefits from his unparalleled experience and expertise.

Between residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Dr. Uzelac spent 4 years with

the University of Southern California Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine. There he cared for dozens of families with pregnancies affected by severe congenital fetal anomalies and cultivated a keen interest in the prenatal origins of disease. Knowing his career trajectory would place him at the earliest formation of both health and disease, he spent this time bridging the gap between the late trimester problems and the possible links to events in early gestation. Dr. Uzelac published a body of literature specifically examining aberrant prenatal hormone exposure as possibly promoting lifelong hormone dysfunction. To this day he holds this wide-angled purview on not just helping patients to achieve pregnancy but helping parents have healthy children.

Dr. Uzelac’s second milestone in practice philosophy occurred in 2006 when his son was born with a major developmental anomaly that required timely surgery. In what should have been a moment of joy, his family was plunged into uncertainty and stress. As he grappled with his son’s condition, he encountered a medical community divided on the best treatment approach.
The most promising procedure, though groundbreaking, was denied by the doctor who pioneered it, leaving the family feeling lost and despreate. Determined to find a solution, they sought treatment at a medical center on the other side of the country where the procedure was succsessfully performed. His son’s full recovery not only reaffirmed his faith in medicine but also ignited his guiding light of patient advocacy. In 2009, Dr. Uzelac founded Marin Fertility Center with the vision to make it a sancturary for those who felt they had nowhere else to turn. Now, 15 years later, MFC has become a realized dream where Dr. U provides unwavering support and innovative care to those most in need.

Book Chapters

Uzelac P, Nakajima S. Repair of Cesarean Section Scar. In Berek and Nakajima. Operative Techniques in Gynecologic Surgery: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer, 2017: Chapter 3.2.

Uzelac P, Christensen G, Nakajima S. The Role of In Vitro Maturation in Fertility Preservation. In Gracia and Woodruff. Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation. New York: Springer Science, July 2012: Chapter 6

Uzelac P, Garmel S. Early Pregnancy Risks. In DeCherney, Nathan and Goodwin. Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment, 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, September 2006: Chapter 14.

Scearce, J., Uzelac P. Third-Trimester Vaginal Bleeding. In DeCherney, Nathan and Goodwin. Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment, 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, September 2006: Chapter 20.

Strehlow S., Uzelac P. Complications of Labor and Delivery. In DeCherney, Nathan and Goodwin. Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment, 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, September 2006: Chapter 28.

Fisch J, Uzelac P, Sher G. Avoiding triplet pregnancy in assisted reproduction. In Keith I, Blickstein I. Triplet pregnancies and their consequences. New York: Parthenon Publishing Group, October 2002: Chapter 33.

Book Soap for the rotations

Uzelac P. SOAP for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, July 2004.

Polisky M, Nichols B, Uzelac P. SOAP for Pediatrics. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, July 2004.

Bond M, Uzelac P. SOAP for Emergency Medicine.. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, August 2004.

Maldanado D, Zuniga C, Uzelac P. SOAP for Family Practice. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, September 2004.

Gottlieb J, Uzelac P. SOAP for Orthopedics. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, September 2005.

Awtry E, Kahn M, Uzelac P. SOAP for Cardiology. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, April 2006.

Uzelac P, Moon R, Badillo A. SOAP for Internal Medicine. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, November 2004.

Lin F, Uzelac P. SOAP for Neurology.. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, August 2005.

Zaslau S, Uzelac P. SOAP for Urology. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Science Publishing, September 2005.

Uzelac P, Risch P, Shelton K, Nakajima S. In vitro maturation of oocytes retrieved from unstimulated whole ovary specimens in the mid-follicular phase as a fertility-preserving measure. J Soc Gynecol Invest 2008, vol. 15, no. 1 (suppl), 237A

Uzelac P, Risch P, Shelton K, Nakajima S. In vitro maturation of oocytes as a fertility preservation option. Val Davajan Prize Paper. Fertility and Sterility 2008, vol. 89, Suppl., S10

Ku LT, Nakajima ST, McClure ME, Uzelac PS, Fallat ME, Siow Y. Müllerian Inhibiting Substance gene expression is higher in single follicles from women with PCOS. Poster presentation, P-69, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, November 8-12th 2008, San Francisco, CA.

Uzelac PS, Ku LT, Nakajima ST, McClure ME, Fallat ME, Siow Y. Increased expression of Müllerian Inhibiting Substance in cumulus oophorus cells compared with granulosa cells. Poster presentation, P-441, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, November 8-12th 2008, San Francisco, CA.

Uzelac P, Shelton K, Risch P, Christensen G, Nakajima S. A simple and effective fertility preservation laboratory technique: Retrieval of germinal vesicle oocytes from whole ovary tissue followed by in vitro maturation. Poster presentation, P-492, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, November 8-12th 2008, San Francisco, CA.

Uzelac P, Nakajima S, Ma L, Patel S, Stanczyk F. Does the ovary produce androgens during pregnancy? Indirect evidence from mesosalpinx venous serum. Poster presentation, P-435, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, November 8-12th 2008, San Francisco, CA.

Uzelac P, Christensen G, Risch P, Nakajima S. Extracorporeal oocyte retrieval, in vitro maturation and embryo banking following oophorectomy for benign ovarian disease. Poster presentation, Society of Gynecologic Investigation 55th Annual Scientific Meeting March, 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Uzelac P, Christensen G, Nakajima S. Follicular Flushing Avoids Multiple Vaginal Punctures and May Aid in Oocyte Recovery in In Vitro Maturation (IVM). Oral presentation for the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society 57th Annual Meeting. Fertil Steril 2009;91:S5

Uzelac PS, Archer JS, Christensen GL, Bohler HC, Nakajima ST. Truncated in vitro fertilization (IVF) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome results in equivalent pregnancy rates but lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome compared to traditional IVF. Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 94, Issue 4, S253. Published in issue: September, 2010

Uzelac P, Ma L, Patel S, Stanczyk F, Nakajima S. Hyperandrogenemia in an ethnically heterogeneous cohort of Midwestern United States diabetic gestations. Oral presentation, O-42, American Society of Reproductive Medicine 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, November 8-12th 2008, San Francisco, CA.

Dr. Uzelac’s life is a heartfelt testament to the profound connections that define his world. Beyond the walls of the clinic, his truest passion unfolds in the warm embrace of family. This close-knit group of five finds boundless joy in the simple pleasures of life whether it’s nurturing their backyard garden, orchestrating symphonies of laughter in the kitchen while cooking together, or embarking on epic adventures across distant lands.

A bay Area Native, Dr. Uzelac’s heart beats to the rhythm of the great outdoors. When he’s not caring for patients or cherishing moments with his loved ones. you’ll likely find him chasing the wind while mountain biking on the picturesque slopes of Mount Tamalpais or ascending to dizzying heights in the Sierras. His life outside the workplace is a reflection of the warmth and sincerity he brings to his medical practice-a life filled with love, laughter, and the beauty of nature.

Dr. Brotherton is a fellowship trained, board certified Ob/Gyn with a Focus Practice Designation in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic
Surgery. She is currently an Associate Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine and volunteer Clinical Associate Professor of
Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UCSF School of Medicine.

Dr. Brotherton came to Marin Fertility Center after spending over 14 years teaching residents and fellows in academic county hospital in Los Angeles
working with underserved patients. As the Chief of
Gynecological Surgical Services and the Director of Minimally Invasive Gyn Surgery at Harbor-UCLA, she had the opportunity to care for and provide
complicated surgical and obstetrical care to thousands of patients. She has worked with 100’s of medical students, residents, and fellow physicians in training during her career. She is passionate about young women learning their options for fertility preservation particularly those who are focused on their careers. Most importantly, she has been able to synthesize her surgical experience and knowledge of the complexities of endometriosis in order to help MFC patients optimize their chances for fertility.

Growing up in a culturally diverse area of South Los Angeles,
Dr. Brotherton did not always know what she wanted to do
with her life but she knew two things: she wanted to be
bilingual and she wanted to work with her hands. After
majoring in Spanish and Portuguese at UC Berkeley and
living abroad, Dr. Brotherton found her way to medical school
and immediately fell in love with surgery. After years in the
OR and clinic in an academic teaching hospital, she began to see how modern medicine is flawed. She believes we all need to take responsibility for our own health. This includes being thoughtful about what we eat and how stress affects disease. It also means with technology, young
women can be proactive about their reproductive future. Now
in private practice, Dr. Brotherton loves having more time to spend with her patients at MFC. She loves our motivated patients and she encourages young career women to consider fertility preservation as a means to take pressure of themselves for the future.

Dr. Brotherton is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (JMIG). She is an active member of the Association of American Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), and she is the Founder of the Southern California MIGS Collaborative, a group of Minimally
Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) experts who collaborate and design in person teaching labs for resident physicians. She has authored several research papers over the years in her academic career and has a long list of speaking engagements as an expert in endometriosis and MIGS. She considers herself an educator and continues to work in this arena even after transitioning to private practice at Marin Fertility Center.

Kirsten is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in Women’s Health and a Certified Nurse-Midwife. She received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her Masters in Nursing from Yale University.

Kirsten comes to Marin Fertility after working as a Midwife in Santa Rosa since 2014.
She provided full-scope prenatal and women’s health care, as well as delivered babies at Providence and Sutter Santa Rosa hospitals. In 2020 she made the transition to fertility care and joined the MFC team. Kirsten is committed to guiding her patients through every stage of their fertility journey, serving as a medical translator so that all patients have a deep understanding of their treatment pathways. She is honored to be able to help women be active and empowered decision-makers during struggles with fertility.
Kirsten lives in Santa Rosa with her husband and 2 young children. She enjoys gardening, sewing, and exploring Sonoma County. She is happy to see patients in our Santa Rosa office as well as in Marin.