Amy Lee Harris, M.D.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Colorado Springs Location Colorado Springs, CO
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
Although I am thrilled to have graduated from Shady Grove Fertility because I am pregnant, I can’t deny being just a little sad to leave the practice. That’s how good my experience was.

When there was bad news, Dr. Murray and team mourned with me. When the good news came, they were obviously almost as happy as me. I won’t miss IVF cycles but I will miss Shady Grove Fertility.

Biography

Amy Lee Harris, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr Harris received her medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She then completed her residency in OB/GYN at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she also served as the administrative chief resident. From there, Dr. Harris completed her REI fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. During this time, she was an instructor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School. 

Prior to joining SGF in 2022, Dr. Harris served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force, working with patients at Wright Patterson Medical Center on Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In addition to providing patient care as a fertility specialist, she held the position of REI Division Director on base as well as an assistant professor in the Department of OB/GYN at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. While serving as the REI Clerkship Director she rewrote the third- and fourth-year curriculums. Using her love of teaching, she has inspired several of her residents to pursue careers in infertility care. 

As an avid researcher, Dr. Harris has contributed to numerous publications, presentations, and book chapters exploring topics such as in vitro fertilization success rates, uterine fibroids, and elective single embryo transfers. Dr. Harris 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 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists.  

Dr. Harris provides patient care at SGF Colorado’s Colorado Springs office. As a Colorado transplant from Ohio, Dr. Harris enjoys exploring Colorado’s great outdoors. When she’s not outside in her free time, you can find Dr. Harris cooking delicious meals with her family.

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA 
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
  • Meritorious Service Medal 
  • Wright Patterson Surgical Operations Squadron Physician Educator 
  • Partner’s Centers of Expertise, Health Policy Certificate Course 
  • North American Menopause Society In-Training Reporter, Las Vegas Nevada 
  • Letter of Appreciation from the Director of Surgical Services for Research Performed for the Command, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth 
  • Special Resident in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, American Association of  Gynecologic Laparoscopists 
  • ACOG Armed Forces District Outstanding Poster, “Prenatal diagnosis of encephalomalacia after maternal diabetic ketoacidosis: A case report.” 
  • Kane, King, Dodek, Obstetrical Honor Society, The George Washington University, School of Medicine 
  • American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists 
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)  
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 
  • Pacific Coast Reproductive Society 
  • Harris AL, Sacha CR, Basnet KM, James KE, Freret TS, Kaimal AJ, Yeh J, Souter I, Roberts DJ, Toth TL. Vanishing Twins Conceived Through Fresh In Vitro Fertilization: Obstetric Outcomes and Placental Pathology. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2020;135(6):1426-33  
  • Sacha CR, Harris AL, James KE, Basnet KM, Freret TS, Yeh J, Kaimal, Souter IC, Roberts DJ.  Placental pathology in live births conceived with in vitro fertilization after fresh and frozen embryo transfer.  American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2020; 222(4): 360  
  • Glenn T, Harris AL, Lindheim S. Impact of obesity on male and female reproductive outcomes. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology 31.4 (2019): 201-206.  
  • Harris AL, Vanegas JC, Hariton E, Bortoletto P, Palmor M, Humphries LA, Tanrikut C, Chavarro JE, Styer AK.  Semen parameters on the day of oocyte retrieval predict low fertilization during conventional insemination IVF cycles.  Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (2019) 36:291–298   
  • Cardozo ER, Foster R, Karmon AE, Lee AM, Gatune LW, Rueda BR and Styer AK.  MicroRNA 21a-5p overexpression impacts mediators of extracellular matrix formation in uterine leiomyoma. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 2018; 16(1) 46  
  • Lee AM, Kiessling AA. Early human embryos are naturally aneuploid—can that be corrected? Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 2016; 29:1-7.  
  • Lee AM, Connell MT, Csokmay JM, Styer AS.  Elective Single Embryo Transfer- the power of one.  Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, 2016; 1:11  
  • Love RG, Lee AM, Matiasek A, Carter W, Ylagan M. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal encephalomalacia after maternal diabetic ketoacidosis. American Journal of Perinatology Reports, 2014; 4(2) 97  
  • Caranta DG, Lee AM, Pennington DM Zelig CM. Complication from Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Mistaken for Pancreatitis in a Gravid Patient. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014; 124(2): 464-466  
  • Lee AM, Briandet BM, Caranta DG, Zelig CM. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in hypertensive patients: predictive value of protein concentration versus total protein. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2014;  27(16): 1643-1645  
  • Thagard AS, Dubil E, Lee AM, Allard J, Zelig CM. The use of middle cerebral artery Doppler ultrasonography to guide delivery of a viable pregnancy complicated by metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma. Australian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 2013; 16(2): 93-96  

Q&A

Unofficially, my first encounter with IVF was through the TV show Friends. I vividly remember the character Phoebe talking to her brother’s embryos. Even back then I knew the power of this technology to change the world, and I wanted to be a part of it.

In residency, I enjoyed translating difficult medical concepts into patient friendly language so patients could help make important decisions. I fell in love with the infertility community because they are very invested in their care. I encourage patients to bring articles or blog posts to appointments so we can discuss whether their ideas can be part of their plan. I am forever learning alongside my patients. 

The amazing people at SGF make me proud! A few weeks after being accepted into my reproductive endocrinology fellowship, my best friend, who was an SGF patient, underwent emergency surgery for what they thought was a ruptured appendix but was actually Stage IV endometriosis. This was the missing piece to their fertility struggles. Without their SGF physician and the amazing SGF team, I wouldn’t have my godson today. Joining SGF feels like coming home.

First, I listen. Although the path is familiar and challenging, the journey is different for every patient. All too often, infertility becomes all-encompassing, so I try to identify ways for the patients to diffuse their stress.  Sometimes I suggest taking on a new hobby — Pilates, mindfulness, and massage are a few favorites — and other times I help patients re-engage an old passion — painting, cooking, or tennis. 

I am inspired by all my patients. Their perseverance through challenging situations and ability to keep going is admirable.  

One specific patient that comes to mind is a patient I met when I diagnosed her with a miscarriage. We formed a bond despite having to share in too many disappointments. I was in awe of her ability to dig deep and stay poised through adversity. After 2 years of care, I was able to finally graduate her to her obstetrician with a healthy pregnancy.   

I would love to pursue a Ph.D. in the history of medicine and to travel to Greece and Egypt to learn about the origins of medicine and fertility rituals. This would marry several passions travel, history, medicine, and of course, amazing cuisine! 

Being a Colorado transplant, I am excited to explore the the great outdoors. Additionally, we love to cook in my house and experiment making new meals. My husband and I are working through Chinese Cooking in American Kitchens, which his grandmother wrote. We feel even more connected to our heritage while eating something delicious.

2024 Shady Grove Fertility

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