“Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside, painted candy canes on the tree. Santa’s on his way. He’s filled his sleigh with things, things for you and me. It’s that time of year…”

Well, Santa has come and gone, but it’s that time of year for me to list my New Year’s resolutions and goals for the upcoming year. I’ve been doing it ever since I began practicing medicine, and I encourage all of you to follow this tradition. Without goals, life becomes the “same ‘ole, same ‘ole,” and it’s easy to remain aimless in your comfort zone.

On my desk is a coffee cup with the words, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” This quote profoundly touches me as I continue to set goals that are challenging but realistic and attainable. I think if your goals are unrealistic, you end up frustrated and feeling defeated. So I encourage your resolutions to be:

  1. Very important to you; otherwise they will be considered a hobby and only an option to fulfill
  2. Realistic, so you have a reasonable fighting chance to complete them
  3. Finished over the upcoming year, so you have a well-deserved sense of accomplishment

Without further ado, here’s my list – not my “Grown-up Christmas List,” but my 2019 Resolutions, in no particular order!

1. On-time

  • Yes, yes, I know this is not my strong suit but dagnabit (is that a word??), I am committing to being on time for you! Your time is valuable, and I want you to know I respect your schedule and am so appreciative for your trust in our practice! While some patient visits will go over their allotted time because I always want you to have all your questions answered, I will be extremely conscious of staying on track!

2. Podcast

  • I am so excited to share this news! Toward the end of 2018, I made a vow to launch a podcast for all of you to have one credible resource to answer your questions and learn about important topics from well-known national experts in our field. We have already recorded 10 shows so stay-tuned!

3. Affordable IVF

  • The ultimate “stick in my craw” (please excuse the southern reference for all my northern friends!) is that Florida does not mandate insurance coverage for infertility. My promise is to restructure our current pricing for IVF so that patients can more easily afford the most advanced reproductive technology. All options will be on the table, and your suggestions are welcome by emailing info@myfertilitycare.com

4. Satellite Office

  • In order to reduce your travel, I would like to expand our services to other locations across central Florida. This will let you have consults, ultrasounds, blood work, sperm analysis and IUIs in a more convenient manner. We will strive to minimize any disruption in your personal schedule

5. Advocacy

  • In line with my frustration over the poor insurance coverage for infertility, I want to meet legislatures in our nation’s capital to increase awareness of our field with the hope of improving access to services and reducing costs for patients.

6. Patient-centered practice with your own concierge

  • You will never be a number! You will always feel connected to our practice with your concerns validated. I am proud to announce the initiation of our Patient Concierge who will be your “go-to” for all your administrative needs in our practice, i.e., help with scheduling, medications, appointments, and general inquiries. The only number you are in our practice is number ONE!

7. Higher pregnancy rates

  • Above all, this is my goal every year. I continuously review the most pertinent medical literature throughout the year and make appropriate revisions to our IVF policy and procedure manual. However, on a national scale, there have been small improvements in live birth rates coinciding with the proactive pursuit of reducing multiple pregnancies, along with their complications, by reducing the number of embryos transferred, e.g., elective single embryo transfers.

8. Book release

  • At long last, the publication of my infertility book seems to be near! For four years, I have worked on a book to empower you and to share my personal journey of infertility. I hope you gain as much gratification in reading the book as I did from writing it.

9. Conduct and publish more medical research articles

  • Few activities excite me more outside of caring for patients (well, outside of running and singing!) than conducting a research study and adding valuable insights to the field of reproductive medicine. Over the last year, I have had the privilege of being the teacher for the University of Central Florida (UCF) medical students, Ob/Gyn resident physicians, and Medical Endocrine fellows who all rotate through my practice to learn Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. We have several research projects underway!

10. Achieve Professorship status at UCF

  • Currently, I have an academic appointment at the UCF College of Medicine, Department of Ob/Gyn as Associate Professor. I would be honored to be promoted to full Professor, so I plan to gather all the information requested for the application process…and pray!

11. Qualify to run the Boston marathon

  • In 2018, I ran my first marathon and missed the Boston qualifying time by nine minutes – NINE minutes! I am determined to improve my marathon time in hopes of qualifying for one of the most elite running races in the world – wish me luck!

12. Record another music CD

  • Anyone who knows me knows my love of music is boundless. I have experienced the joy of singing with many fine musicians – from a solo piano player to a full orchestra. My last recorded CD was five years ago so I am itching to return to the studio and will keep you all posted!

While I accept the fact that I may not achieve all of my goals, I will do my absolute best throughout the year to make them happen. Thanks for reading and I hope you reach all your goals to achieve the rewards you deserve.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Mark P. Trolice, MD, FACOG, FACS, FACE
Director, The IVF CenterSM
Associate Professor, UCF College of Medicine