fertility doctor kathryn c humm shady grove fertility

Kathryn C. Humm, M.D.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Sibley Hospital Campus Location Sibley Hospital Campus, DC
Rockville Location Rockville, MD
Schedule Appointment or 1-888-761-1967
Patient Testimonial
I went through IVF with Dr. Humm. I felt heard, comforted, and comfortable the whole way. The support staff were beyond fantastic and turned what would have been a scary experience, into something that my husband and I never felt like we were navigating alone.

Biography

Kathryn C. Humm, M.D., is a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist who is passionate about working with patients to overcome infertility. Dr. Humm completed her undergraduate degree at Yale University and then earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts where she was elected Administrative Chief Resident. During that time, she was awarded several teaching awards including the Chief Resident Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Humm then continued her training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston IVF to complete her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. After fellowship, Dr. Humm spent seven years treating infertility patients and teaching Obstetrics and Gynecology residents at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC.

Dr. Humm 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 Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She has published abstracts and papers on topics including preimplantation genetic testing, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, and the influence of race and ethnicity on IVF outcomes. Washingtonian magazine has regularly recognized Dr. Humm as a Top Doctor in infertility.

Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Humm lives with her family approximately one mile from her childhood home. In her free time, Dr. Humm enjoys many outdoor activities as well as playing piano and painting.

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School 
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Boston IVF, Harvard Medical School 
  • Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctor (2016, 2017, 2019-2024)
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine CREST scholar, 2015 
  • Administrative Chief Resident, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 2011 
  • Chief Resident Prize for Excellence in Teaching, Harvard Medical School, 2011 
  • Principal Clinical Experience Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, Harvard Medical School, 2011 
  • American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)  
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 
  • Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility 
  • Humm KC, Frankfurter D. The road to validating preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy; are we there yet? Fertil Stertil. 2021 Feb; 115 (3): P585-586. 
  • Humphries LA, Dodge LE, Kennedy EB, Humm KC, Hacker MR, Sakkas D. Is Younger Better? Donor age less than 25 does not predict more favorable outcomes after in vitro fertilization. J Assist Repro Genetics 2019 Aug; 36 (8): 1631-1637. 
  • Ash E, Wei J, Mortele KJ, Humm K, Thornton K, Levine D. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Performance for Diagnosis of Ovarian Torsion in Pregnant Women with Stimulated Ovaries. Fertil Res Pract. 2017 Sept 6; 3:13. 
  • Humm KC, Ibrahim Y, Dodge LE, Penzias AS, Sakkas D, Hacker M. Does Elevated Serum Progesterone on the Day of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Administration Decrease Live Birth Rates? J Repro Health Med 2016 Dec; Vol 2; Supp 2: s15-s18. 
  • Humphries LA, Chang O, Humm KC, Sakkas D, Hacker MR. Influence of race and ethnicity on IVF outcomes: systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016 Feb; 214 (2): 212.e1-212.e17. 
  • Humm KC, Dodge LE, Wu LH, Penzias AS, Malizia BA, Sakkas D, Hacker HR. In vitro fertilization in women under 35: counseling should differ by age. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2015 Oct; 32 (10): 1449-57. 
  • Smith ZD*, Chan MM*, Humm KC*, Karnik R, Mekhoubad A, Regev A, Eggan K, Meissner A. DNA methylation dynamics of the human preimplantation embryo. Nature. 2014 Jul 31; 511(7511): 611-5. * These authors contributed equally to this work. 
  • 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. 
  • Yoo SW, Bolbot T, Koulova A, Sneeringer R, Humm KC, Dagon Y, Usheva A. Complement factors are secreted in human follicular fluid by granulosa cells and are possible oocyte maturation factors. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2012 Aug 26. 
  • Olariu A, Cleaver KM (Humm KC), Cameron HA. Decreased neurogenesis in aged rats results from loss of granule cell precursors without lengthening of the cell cycle. J. Comp Neurol. 2007; 501: 659-67. 
  • Gruber PJ, Fuller S, Cleaver KM (Humm KC), Adbullah I, Gruber SB, Nicolson SC, Gaynor JW, Wernovsky P, Spray TL. Early results of single-stage biventricular repair of severe aortic hypoplasia or atresia with ventricular septal defect and a normal left ventricle. J. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2006; 132: 260-3. 
  • Olariu A, Cleaver KM (Humm KC), Shore L, Cameron HA. A natural form of learning can increase and decrease the survival of new neurons in the dentate gyrus. Hippocampus. 2005; 15:750-62. 
  • Dayer AG, Cleaver KM (Humm KC), Abouantoun T, Cameron HA. New GABAergic interneurons in the adult neocortex and striatum are generated from different precursors. J Cell Biol. 2005; 168:415-27. 
  • Dayer AG, Ford AA, Cleaver KM (Humm KC), Yassaee M, Cameron HA. Short-term and long-term survival of new neurons in the rat dentate gyrus. J. Comp Neurol. 2003; 460:563-72. 

Q&A

I decided I wanted to become a reproductive endocrinologist when I was a third-year medical student! I loved the combination of medicine, procedures, ethics, and rapidly evolving technologies. What I didn’t realize at the time was the tremendous stress and anxiety surrounding infertility and miscarriage. While I am still drawn to the things that initially interested me in the field, I am now most motivated by the relationships that I build with my patients and the opportunity to be part of such an emotional moment in their lives. 

SGF is very committed to high-quality research and has become a significant contributor to literature in the field of infertility. It is so exciting to be part of a practice where I can participate in this process as well as continue to practice evidence-based medicine on a daily basis.    

I take a lot of time with my patients to explain their test results, underlying diagnosis, and treatment options. I try to end every patient visit with a clear plan so that each individual or couple feels that they have a path forward.

While it is difficult to choose one person because I am inspired by so many strong women in science, sports, and entertainment, I’m continuously impressed by Michelle Obama. She is brilliant, kind, graceful, and always poised.

Energetic, loving, organized, and detail oriented. I’m always on the move and my family jokes that I can never relax when there is work to be done. 

Definitely sailing around the Galapagos Islands! It is the perfect combination of adventure, wildlife, and science. 

I really enjoy almost any outdoor activity! I love hiking, trail running, skiing, and stand-up paddle boarding. I also enjoy playing piano and I recently started to learn to paint with watercolors. 

I’m obsessed with organizing. The Container Store is one of my favorite places to shop!

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