Emily A. Evans-Hoeker, M.D. 

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Patient Testimonial
At no point in time did I feel hopeless and was always comforted by next steps and kind words. But Dr. Mitchell truly is extra. I felt like her only patient. I can’t speak enough to her kindness. It is my firm belief that she 100000X capable of leading someone to pregnancy success.

I had a wonderful experience with IVF at Shady Grove. The staff were incredibly friendly and supportive throughout the entire process. I am especially grateful for Dr. Sally Vitez, whose positivity and expertise made a significant difference. I couldn’t be more thankful for her and the entire team!

Dr. Davis is the sweetest doctor and Dee is so wonderful I couldn’t imagine going through this journey with any other clinic. Thank you guys so much for everything. If you thinking about doing IVF this clinic is beyond everything you need for your fertility journey.

Dr. Lersten is so kind and explains procedures calmly, which helps relieve anxiety while going through the difficult process of fertility treatments. I am thankful to SGF for helping me build the family I’ve always wanted. I highly recommend SGF to anyone going through infertility.

I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional care and support we received from Dr. Selter and the entire team at SGF. From our very first consultation, we felt understood and supported. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Selter and the team at SFG for helping us start our family.

Dr. Healy is amazing! She was there to help us through every step of our fertility journey. She checked in frequently and was always able to answer any questions we had. Her calm and supportive demeanor brought a sense of peace to my husband and I during these anxious times.

Biography

Emily A. Evans-Hoeker, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr. Evans-Hoeker received her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She then completed her residency in OB/GYN at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. From there, Dr. Evans-Hoeker trained in REI at the University of North Carolina. 

Along with teaching numerous courses at the University of North Carolina and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Dr. Evans-Hoeker serves as the director of resident research in the Department of OB/GYN, Carilion Clinic, and is dedicated to mentoring upcoming REIs and OB/GYNs. She also has a keen interest in continuously enhancing patient care through overall wellness and lifestyle science. An honest and compassionate physician, Dr. Evans-Hoeker has been recognized for these traits by being awarded America’s Top Obstetrics and Gynecologist by Consumers’ Research Council of America.  

Dr. Evans-Hoeker has earned numerous research awards and produced peer-reviewed publications including a prize paper on antidepressant use and fertility treatment outcomes. She has conducted studies on various topics including weight and infertility and social media’s impact for fertility-care providers and their patients in addition to studying the effect of life coaching on infertility patients’ stress levels. She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). 

In her spare time, Dr. Evans-Hoeker enjoys expressing her creativity through photography, crafting, and cake decorating. She also enjoys being in nature with her family and focusing on the beauty that exists in the world.  

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Illinois at Chicago 
  • Fellowship: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility, University of North Carolina
  • Compassionate Doctor Recognition, Vitals 
  • Patients’ Choice Award, Vitals 
  • America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Consumers’ Research Council of America 
  • Best Bedside Manner, OurHealth Roanoke & New River Valley 
  • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist (ACOG) 
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 
  • Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) 
  • American College of Lifestyle Medicine 
  • Patel, T., Sosa-Stanley, J. N., Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Osborne, J. L. (2020, May). Development of endometrial stromal sarcoma in a patient undergoing in vitro fertilization: A case report. Gynecologic Oncology Reports, 32(100541). doi: 10.1016/j.gore.2020.100541. PMID: 32123718.  
  • Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Ramalingam, N., Harden, S. M. (2019, April). Weight management perceptions and clinical practices among gynecology providers caring for reproductive-aged patients. Obesity Science & Practice (5(4):304-311). doi: 10.1002/osp4.338. PMID: 31452915.  
  • Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Eisenberg, E., Diamond, M., Legro, R., Alvero, R., Coutifaris, C., Casson, P., Christman, G., Hansen, K., Zhang, H., Santoro, N., Steiner, A. (2018, May). Major depression, antidepressant use and male and female fertility. Fertility and Sterility, 109(5), 879-887. PMID: 29778387.  
  • Harden, S. M., Ramalingam, N. S., Wilson, K. E., Evans-Hoeker, E. A. (2017, February 6). Informing the development and uptake of a weight management intervention for preconception: a mixedmethods investigation of patient and provider perceptions. BMC obesity, 4. doi: 10.1186/s40608- 017-0144-6. PMID: 28191322. Published.  
  • Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Lessey, B. A., Savaris, R. F., Palomino, W. A., Yuan, L., Schammel, D. P., Young, S. L. (2016, May). Endometrial BCL6 over expression in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. Reproductive Sciences, 1, 1-2. doi: 10.1177/1933719116649711. PMID: 27222232.  
  • Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Young, S. L. (2014, September 1). Endometrial receptivity and intrauterine adhesive disease. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 32(5). doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1376358. PMID: 24959821.  
  • Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Calhoun, K. C., Mersereau, J. E. (2014, March 1). Healthcare provider accuracy at estimating women’s BMI and intent to provide counseling based on appearance alone. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 22(3). doi: 10.1002/oby.20301. PMID: 24339405.  
  • Humm KC, Sakkas D. Role of increased male age in IVF and egg donation: is sperm DNA fragmentation responsible? Fertil Steril. 2013 Jan; 99(1): 30-6. 
  • Evans-Hoeker, E. A., Pritchard, D. A., Long, D. L., Herring, A. H., Stanford, J. B., Steiner, A. Z. (2013, October). Cervical mucus monitoring prevalence and associated fecundability in women trying to conceive. Fertility and Sterility, 100(4), 1033-1038. PMID: 23850303. 

Q&A

I absolutely love what I do! As reproductive endocrinologists, we get to walk alongside our patients through their journey to parenthood and help them navigate what can be a very stressful, defeating, and lonely experience if not provided with the right support. I also love the science behind fertility treatments! It’s amazing what science can accomplish. 

I am most proud of the amazing team that I have and how compassionate and dedicated they are. Everyone on the SGF team really gets to know our patients — not just as it relates to fertility treatments, but who they are outside of their fertility journey — which really allows us to understand the patient as a person. It is very clear that they genuinely care about our patients. 

I am constantly inspired by patients! The grace with which they face adversity and the resilience that they demonstrate amazes me. The trust that patients give us during what can often be one of the most challenging experiences of their lives inspires me to be the best physician that I can be. 

If a patient is really struggling through their journey, I start by figuring out how I can best support them, which typically involves a conversation about their wishes and needs. Not all patients need the same type of support and often navigate challenges very differently, so it is important to provide patient-centered care. I acknowledge their feelings and let them know that they are not alone. I am also very open about my own fertility struggles, which often helps patients feel more comfortable sharing more personal details about their struggles. 

Open, honest, and compassionate. I enjoy having open, honest conversations with patients and encouraging them to participate in shared decision making. 

Travel! I love to travel and want to experience the world. 

Hiking, biking, kayaking — anything that allows me to enjoy nature with my family. I find that being in nature really grounds me and allows me to focus on the beauty that exists in the world. I also love expressing my creativity through photography, crafting, and cake decorating. 

I enjoy spending time with my family and watching my kids learn and excel at new things. They love sports and I love watching them do things that they enjoy (and sometimes even coaching their sports teams). I also enjoy relaxing with a good book.