About Braverman IVF & Reproductive Immunology

About Dr. Vidali

Reproductive Surgeon, Reproductive Endocrinologist

Dr. Vidali brings to Braverman IVF & Reproductive Immunology unique expertise. As a fertility specialist with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Vidali also has extensive experience in minimally invasive and robotic surgery.

Dr. Vidali specializes in the surgical treatment of endometriosis as it relates to infertility, implantation failure and pregnancy loss. He has specific interest in understanding and treating silent endometriosis in patients with repetitive IVF failure or implantation failure.

He also specializes in non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids with laparoscopic myomectomy. In fact, Dr. Vidali pioneered the introduction of laparoscopic myomectomy for infertility patients, helping to set a new standard of treatment for women with fibroids who desire fertility1.

Throughout the course of his career Dr. Vidali has held leadership positions within academics. He was the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division of Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ, and held two Directorships at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center in New York City where he was the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and the Director of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery.

After completing his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Columbia University, Dr. Vidali embarked on a successful collaboration and partnership with one of his mentors and laparoscopic surgery and Endometriosis treatment pioneer Dr. Harry Reich. With Dr. Reich and colleagues, Dr. C.Y. Liu and Dr. Tamer Seckin, Dr. Vidali partnered to create an advanced gynecologic surgical practice at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York in 2001.

Dr. Vidali's fellowships include Obstetrics & Gynecology at Georgetown University and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.

1: Ribeiro SC, Reich H, Rosenberg J, Guglielminetti E, Vidali A. Laparoscopic myomectomy and pregnancy outcome in infertile patients. Fertil Steril. 1999 Mar;71(3):571-4. PubMed PMID: 10065802.




About Dr. Melvin H. Thornton II

Dr. Melvin Thornton is working with Dr. Vidali and carrying on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jeffrey Braverman. This collaboration adds Dr. Thornton’s extensive Fertility experience with the practice of Reproductive Immunology to provide new diagnostic testing with expert analysis, treatments and protocols to aggressively and successfully treat the cause of what was once known as “unexplained infertility” and or multiple pregnancy loss.

Dr. Melvin H. Thornton, II is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine. He has been helping families in the Tri-state for over 18 years. Dr. Thornton completed his OB/GYN internship and residency as well as his Reproductive Medicine fellowship at the University of Southern California. He received additional training in advanced reproductive surgery at The Cleveland Clinic before joining the faculty at Columbia University.

While at Columbia, Dr. Thornton was the Director of the Egg Donation Program at the Center for Women’s Reproductive Care (CWRC) at Columbia University Medical Center. He has an extensive research background in the treatment of HIV sero-discordant couples and the relationship to infertility and fertility treatment. Additionally, while at Columbia he served on the Institutional Review Board for five years. He has published more than 30 papers, written several book chapters and presented nearly 40 abstracts at professional conferences on topics related to women’s health, infertility and third party reproduction.

Dr. Thornton had dedicated many years and countless hours teaching and mentoring medical students, residents and fellows. He is currently an Associate Professor at Quinnipiac University and provides lectures in reproductive medicine and infertility to OB/GYN residents at New York Medical College. He is an excellent educator and gives board review lectures for OB/GYN, Family Medicine and Pediatrics residents preparing for their board examination.

Although his interests include all aspects in the treatment of infertility, he is particularly recognized as being has one of the world’s leading experts in egg donation and surrogacy. His patients describe him as a reassuring, caring, and personable physician. He has been a member of the ACGME Clinical Competency Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia and currently sits on the ASRM Undergraduate, Graduate, Medical and Postgraduate Education Committee (UGMPEC). He is currently a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.




Sallie Sarrel

After nearly two decades of pain and pelvic pain Sallie was diagnosed with endometriosis. She designed her Pelvic Physical Therapy practice to be a safe haven and a resource for all people with endometriosis and all who seek relief from pain that many believe is unmentionable. Sallie believes everyone should have a voice in their treatment.

With a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Rutgers Med and a Master’s of Arts and Teaching from the University of Vermont, Sallie's work in the treatment of endometriosis and dyspareunia is un-paralled. She is supported by Endo What? and the Endometriosis Research Center (ERC). Dr Sarrel has lectured worldwide including China, Rome and Brazil. In 2016 she was the recipient of the Below the Belt Award from the Women's Health Association for her dedication to the field of women's health and her ability as a patient with endometriosis to have made lasting changes in the pelvic pain community. Her blog, Sallie Speaks, has been republished worldwide. She has published research the bladder and endometriosis, the role of hernia and endometriosis and the role of the pelvic floor as a driver of pain in people with endometriosis. Sallie is certified in New Jersey by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association as a Certified Athletic Trainer and has worked with many professional sports teams and Division I universities.

Sallie’s frustration with the standards of care in the United States for endometriosis and her desire to further endometriosis education inspired her to partner with Dr. Andrea Vidali to form The Endometriosis Summit. The Endometriosis Summit is the largest endometriosis only conference training patients, practitioners and surgeons in addition to hosting a webinar series, a podcast and numerous social media channels.

Sallie is a licensed as a physical therapist in New Jersey, Florida, and New York City. She can be found on the tennis court, playing pickle, or with her poodles in her spare time.