East Tennessee IVF and Andrology Center Harris Gayla MD

About to start my 4th round of treatment with Dr. Harris. I took a break for about a year but, have nothing but good things to say! She is very knowledgeable when it comes to infertility and can answer just about any question. I went to a previous doctor and had a terrible experience. She is very thorough and if your nit comfortable with certain steps or treatment she understands. Unlike my previous doctor this office works very well with pricing!

The doctor treated me very badly because my husband evaluated the receptionist on Google Maps with one star. Gayla started talking to us without looking at us through the interpreter, with pride and nerves. For the first time in my life, I met a doctor with this racist bad treatment. And the end of conversation she said I am done with you , don’t come back here!!!!

My whole experience is below and I address a few themes in the reviews. The TLDR is that I successfully became pregnant under Dr. Harris’s care, she is a great doctor and I would go back to her, but her office is unconventional with just her and one staff member so it’s good to know what to expect first.Getting started: It was about 2 months from first calling her office to starting a cycle with her (I had an issue she wanted to watch first before starting, so its possible this could be faster.) My OBGYN referred me to a different clinic in Knoxville that didn’t take my insurance, which does have fertility coverage, so I looked into other options and found Dr. Harris and a couple others. I read all the reviews and decided to go with her because it sounded like she was individually considerate of each patient (not one size fits all), could handle a range of issues, and had a lot of success, but I did note some of the negative reviews too. I had an initial tele-visit appointment in July where Dr. Harris asked asked about my medical history and trying to conceive. She also told me the typical plan to get started. It took a few weeks to get on her schedule, but not bad. We talked for roughly 30 minutes to an hour. Then in early August, I called her office on the first day of my cycle to schedule blood work and an initial ultrasound. I went in a couple days later. There was something she wanted to watch on the ultrasound before starting any treatment, so I planned to hear back from her in a couple weeks on the blood work and redo the ultrasound at the beginning of the next cycle. Toward the end of the month, I had another lengthy phone call with Dr. Harris on the blood work results, and we planned for me to again call at the start of my next cycle.What treatments are like: Dr. Harris does everything. Theres no nurse. While it was not required in my case, Dr. Harris can do surgery if needed to resolve fertility issues. I had one radiological procedure at UT that was not performed by Dr. Harris, but sometimes I think she also does these if it can be scheduled. Each month, I called on the first day of my cycle and went in for another ultrasound a couple days later. She decided to do medicated IUI cycles with me. Close to ovulation, I returned for another ultrasound. Then I returned a couple days later for the IUI. Around the 21st and 28th day of my cycle I went to a lab for a blood test (including the pregnancy test). The next day each time I heard from Dr. Harris’s staff. I was pregnant after the third medicated IUI cycle. I had another blood test a week later to confirm the pregnancy. Then I returned to her office in early January for a 6 week heart check ultrasound. From there Dr. Harris released me to go to an 8 week OB appointment and the rest has been just like any pregnancy.A few notes on how it works: She speaks quickly, and it can feel like shes rushing, but if you ask questions she will explain anything. It helped to take notes and then read over them after to digest everything. She can be blunt but I would rather just hear the reality than have false hope or misunderstand. Her staff member is nice when you engage her but she isn’t super friendly. I don’t think it’s personal but it’s good to know that it’s not you, it’s just a personality thing. Almost everything will be through a conversations with Dr. Harris so usually you’re just leaving a message or getting a message when you call in. I never had an issue with getting a call back, but it often was at the end of the day or the next day a time or two. I believe Dr. Harris works hard for her patients and cares about the financial burden, sometimes she would say Ive been on the phone with your insurance for an hour.

I should have wrote this review last yr in August 2021.. Ms. Harris have performed a keyhole laparascopy and hysteroscopy surgery to remove scarring on my fallopian tubes due to me struggling with infertility for many yrs.. She could only open one fallopian tube unfortunately due to my other one was scarred too bad , but she did a great job.. I have became pregnant naturally withing 4- 5 month in January 2022 , but unfortunately my baby passed away.😢😭😭. All Ms.Harris had to do was to look at me and she already knew what my issues was, and she was right .. She have always returned my calls and stayed in touch with me.I recommend Ms. Harris to anyone for infertility issues , she cares about her patients and their wants/ needs.. Thank you...Adding on this this review, 4months later after my loss, I have became pregnant again in July on my own.. I am currently 9 weeks pregnant with one fallopian tube... So the scarring could not have returned.. I cant express enough the great job she have done..There is hope!! My precious baby born April of 2023❤🥰

I can’t say enough positive things about Dr. Harris. My husband and I have had an extensive history of infertility. After many years of seeking the right fertility specialist we found her and have been under her care for 4 years now. She is so knowledgeable and thorough in everything she does. After adopting our son and unexpectedly getting pregnant afterwards, we suffered a miscarriage. We had a horrible experience at my regular OB office and called to ask if Dr. Harris could clarify and give us a second opinion. Without hesitation she brought us in and spent nearly an hour talking with us and gave us such a peace of mind. She also offered to perform my D&C considering she had operated on me before and knew my history. She truly cares for her patients. I will never go to anyone else for fertility needs.

I really enjoy going to the office, Dr. Harris is so understanding and listens well. So far in the 3 months Ive been seeing her she has helped my partner and I so much. She talks fast but always explains thoroughly. I highly recommend. Also I must say the receptionist is very kind.

Her office staff is a absolute JOKE! The receptionist is by far the rudest and unprofessional person I’ve ever experienced in a doctors office. Hanging up on a patient is immature and completely unacceptable. When left a message on dr Harris phone she called from the telemed appointment she disregarded the message and concern about what happened with her office staff. If she cared about her patients she would of at least have one of her staff or herself return the call about the issue. Which she did not.Dr Harris seemed like a great doctor. However she wanted me to agree with everything she was saying when the information she was saying wasn’t accurate. So I believe she definitely could do better at listening to a patients concerns. She talks super fast and interjects a lot when your trying to speak. I was so hopeful about using her. She was highly recommended. But due to the lack of care and concern we decided to go elsewhere.If your looking for a fertility doctor in Knoxville go see Dr Donesky at the Fertility Clinic! He is hands down the absolute best in the area!

Dr. Harris was an amazing Fertility specialist. I drove 2 hours to see her because we only have one locally in our home town and he was awful (absolutely no bedside manner). I will recommend her to everyone who I encounter that is in need of a fertility specialist. She explained everything in depth. She does talk fast but always asks for feedback and asks you if you have any questions about what was discussed. I left her office knowing that she truly cares that me and my husband get pregnant and that I have a treatment plan and back up plans if the current treatment plan fails. She was truly an answered prayer!

COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME. I was referred here in June. Had my appointment end of July which I thought was great that they could get me in so soon (should have read the other reviews because they were spot on). Dr Harris was extremely not only 25 minutes late for the visit but rushed through the entire thing. First question she asked was “why were you even referred to my office” completely rude and made me feel as I was wasting her time. I have struggled with PCOS, hormonal issues and endometriosis for 12+ years. I was told I would need to call the first day of my next cycle so we could then schedule blood work and ultrasound. I called the first day of my cycle and was told “I’ll let her know.” When I asked about when the appointment would be I was told again “I’ll let her know”. WORST OFFICE STAFF ever!! I have worked in the medical field for most of my adult life doing administrative and billing. I honestly don’t know how this office is still open. I’m now having to start back at square one. Don’t waste your time and go to a different doctor!EDIT: I went to a different doctor, Dr. Doody at Fort Sanders. His team is absolutely amazing. He took the time to listen to me. I had surgery two months ago and had the endometriosis removed and am now 100% pain-free for the first time in what feels like forever. We are making progress on getting my hormones in balance. This was a complete night and day experience. Dont waste time with Dr. Harris and go see Dr. Doody at Fort Sanders.

The only thing Dr. Harris has done for me is throw medicine at me. She has never had me come in for an actual in person appointment to meet me or to talk about my diagnosis that she gave me over the phone or to investigate it further. When she would actually call me back on the phone she talks so fast to where you can’t understand her and rushes so quickly to get off the phone that she has hung up on you before you can even say goodbye. She had me go to labcorp to have my blood drawn to check my progesterone levels and I called her office 2 times to try to get my results, and have her explain them to me. Both times I called I only got ahold of the front desk receptionist and she said she would have Dr. Harris call me back and she never did. It’s been almost 2 months and I haven’t received one phone call from her! I’ve never had such a cold uncaring doctor!

My wife reached out to dr Harris because we were having problems with infertility she had one FaceTime meeting with us and made a swift diagnostic and prescribed my wife with pills without investigating her condition at all she has made no attempts to see us in person and she sent my wife to have blood work done then my wife had to call them after 2 weeks to get the results from the desk lady then my wife called them again to see what we should do next and the desk lady said dr Harris would call back soon that was over 2 months ago dr. Harris has been no help at all for us

Dr. Harris seems decently knowledgeable, but her staff is awful! The front desk receptionist is very unorganized and rude. The nurse is the worst medical professional I have EVER dealt with; she would call me with incorrect information almost every single time! And this includes dosage of medications. Luckily I listened closely to Dr. Harris at our appts so I would question the nurse and she would always stumble around then finally give me the correct info after confirming with Dr. Harris. It became ridiculous and alarming that she was in charge of patients and never knew what she was talking about. I was told there that I would most likely not qualify for IVF and would have to use donor eggs. Thank the lord I found another doctor that was much more knowledgeable and helped my husband and I successfully conceive through IVF. Unfortunately I would not recommend Dr. Harris’s office for your fertility needs.

Dr.Harris should care enough as a doctor to actually see her patients or at least return their phone calls. My daughter-in-law has left several messages with the office receptionist who promised a return call each time...Dr. Harris nor her nurse has returned any call. When a person takes an oath to be a medical provider she/he has an obligation to each patient;to see and treat them, to talk with them about their medical concerns, and when a doctor prescribes a medication she/he should not leave their patient wandering how that medication works, its side effects, and if there are any alternative options.

Ive been under Dr. Harriss care twice now. The first time I was 25 and managed to get pregnant under her twice. I sadly miscarried and she monitored all my levels. She tested me and my husband for everything and nothing showed up. She decided that clotting issues are discovered every year and maybe I had one that they just didnt know about. I ended up getting pregnant right after I turned 26 with a set of twins. I carried them all because of the heaprin shots. I had boy/girl twins and I owe that to her.Fast forward almost 6 years and me and my husband wanted another child. I had a really rough time producing decent eggs. She had to do a combo of medication and I finally produced 2 decent eggs after several months. We tried and I didnt get pregnant. Kept up with the medicine a couple of months went by and finally 1 good egg and 1 that was ok. We tired and I landed pregnant. Im currently due anytime now to have a little boy.I know a lot of people seem to have issues with how blunt she is, but do you honestly want a doctor that beats around the bush? She is also short on the phone and down to the point, but I believe fully that is because of how many calls she makes every single evening reaching out to every patient. Ive seen this office change a lot over the years and the front desk has been one that changes a lot. I think its cause its a demanding job since they are also over cleaning the room and all the paperwork (billing, labs, ect). Now everytime I was going to miscarry she flat out told me from the start. She knows what she is doing and can and will get you pregnant. It does not happen overnight though. It also maybe faster for some women than others cause we all have different problems. I took longer than my cousin and a couple of friends I have sent to her. She had to address all my issues, but I owe her everything cause I would not be a mom without her.I know that infertility is one of the hardest things to go through. I spent years thinking I would never be a mom. Then finally, listened to my cousin and went to Dr. Harris. You need patience and trust, but she will get you were you need to be. Your not alone and your not the only patient. If you forgot to ask something I have called and she has always called me back later that evening. I have waited as late as 8 to get results, but she sees so many and calls everyone personally. I had the nurse call me maybe twice throughout both my times under her care with results.

Having to seek out a fertility specialist is emotional to start with. So you would like to feel comfortable and cared for when you choose a doctor and decide to begin the tough, emotional journey with them. Dr. Gayla Harris and her staff were unfriendly (especially when speaking to them on the phone), Dr. Harris was rushed during the first initial visit when there are 20 different things you need to learn, they lost lab work not once but TWICE (only way I found this out was when I called them), and they are very poor with follow up. So thank you Dr Harris and her staff for making this difficult process even more difficult and emotional. I will be seeking another specialist.

They have a receptionist who is one of the rudest and I hope to change her. She does not respond to you or answer what you want, so I will return to them for review.

Dr. Harris is a skilled surgeon and found what caused my fertility issues for over 10 years. Expecting a boy Feb 2022. Thank you!

I love dr Harris. She ls the reason i have a family now thank you so much. EVON is so sweet and loving. I’m so glad i came here.

The staff and Dr. Harris were caring, helpful, and answered all my questions. They also caught problems another doctor had missed. Will definitely be going back to them!

Dr. Harris helped us 13 years ago and I know without her and her staff we would not be parents. We are forever grateful.

Have been waiting almost a month now for husbands analysis results and have not heard anything nor does the staff seem to have an answer as to why it’s takimh so long. We were told it would take a max of two weeks. Very disappointed considering what we are going through has been so stressful anyway.

I wouldn’t see anyone else. Dr. Harris is the best!

Dr. Harris was great to work with - respectful and responsive!

Dr. Harris is very informative and helpful.

Great staff very helpful

Dr. Harris is incredibly knowledgeable and it’s obvious that she loves what she does. She speaks quickly but is more than willing to repeat things or answer any additional questions you might have. She will also go to bat for you against insurance to make sure things get approved. I feel like I am in good hands and am hoping and praying for a great outcome after my surgery.