WIN Nurse Care Manager Spotlight: Annalise Eaton, RN

Our Nurse Care Managers make all the difference, providing one-on-one support, education, and clinical oversight to patients throughout their entire family building journey. WIN NCM’s are available 24/7 to ensure that patients always have access to guidance whenever they need it. Meet our Nurse Care Manager Annalise E. in this Q & A and read what advice she would share for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community embarking on their family building journey!

 

Q. How long have you been working at WIN?

A. 3.5 years

Q. How long have you been a nurse?

A. 11 years

Q. What is your favorite part about your job?

A. There are so many aspects to this job that I love. I have always felt privileged to work with individuals and couples struggling to create or complete their families. I am passionate about giving everyone the tools they need to feel empowered through this journey because it can leave so many feeling isolated and confused in addition to the emotional and financial toll it can take. I enjoy being a resource, explaining things in a way that makes sense and advocating on behalf of our members. I also really enjoy giving webinars to groups of members that have benefits newly managed by WIN and explaining their fertility coverage. As a Team Lead, I am also lucky to be able to help my fellow nurses here at WIN.

Q. With June being Pride Month, what is the best piece of advice or support you would share with someone in the LGBTQIA+ community starting their family building journey?

A. Just be you and know you have support no matter what. I have been told by many patients again and again that the first step towards seeking treatment can be a difficult one for so many reasons and that they almost didn’t take it. Our nursing team at WIN will be here to support you.

Q. Could you share a common misconception about fertility challenges and embarking on the family-building journey regarding members of the LGBTQIA+ community that you would like to de-bunk?

A. In my experience, a misconception that commonly comes up for those undergoing treatment is expecting it will be relatively easily to become pregnant once they have selected a sperm or egg donor. Sometimes other factors also play into success with treatment such as egg quality, blocked fallopian tubes or male factor infertility and the path requires multiple cycles of treatment. A process that seemed pretty straightforward can become lengthy and that can be surprising if you’re not expecting it to be a journey. I encourage anyone interested in building their family have some routine testing done now because egg and/or sperm quality isn’t something that’s routinely talked about everyday but can significantly impact the family building process.

To learn more about family building from Annalise, view this webinar that she was featured in for National Infertility Awareness Week.