How IVF Michigan & Ohio Fertility Centers Overcame IT Challenges with Vertilocity’s Expert Support

This article was originally published in June 2024 and updated in June 2025.

Consistent clinical excellence must be supported by reliable operational systems. IVF Michigan & Ohio Fertility Centers, a trusted name in reproductive medicine with locations across the Midwest, understands this connection deeply. With decades of experience and more than 64,000 families helped, the organization realized that its technology infrastructure was no longer keeping pace with its medical innovation. The strain on staff and leadership was growing.

Across the fertility care industry, these types of challenges are increasingly common. A recent Meddilink report noted that standard EMRs often fail to meet the complex needs of IVF workflows. This leads to operational inefficiencies and missed opportunities for automation. As clinics grow and patient expectations evolve, technology has to be more than functional. It must be strategic.

To meet these rising demands, IVF Michigan & Ohio Fertility Centers partnered with Vertilocity to overhaul its IT systems and build a stronger, more secure foundation for future growth.

The Problem: Growing Complexity and Limited Capacity

As the clinic expanded, its IT systems were pushed to the limit.

• More than 536 unresolved support tickets were logged in under a year
• Daily VPN disconnections disrupted clinical operations
• HIPAA compliance vulnerabilities remained unaddressed
• Executive leadership was pulled into troubleshooting instead of strategic planning

These issues were not unique. In 2024, more than 89 million individuals were affected by healthcare data breaches, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For fertility care providers, where patient data is especially sensitive, IT security is not optional. It is foundational.

The Solution: Vertilocity’s Healthcare-Focused IT Strategy

A Fresh Start for Cybersecurity

Vertilocity began with a thorough assessment of the clinic’s environment. The team deployed SentinelOne for endpoint protection and introduced the ATP 3.0 bundle. This included:

• Barracuda email filtering to catch phishing and spam
• Browser and impersonation safeguards
• Office 365 backup and recovery

These changes were built on security frameworks outlined by NIST and helped align the organization with both HIPAA and HITECH standards.

Improving Network Stability

VPN reliability had also become a major pain point. Disconnections were happening daily and affecting care delivery. Vertilocity reconfigured the infrastructure to ensure consistent, secure access across all locations. As a result, staff productivity increased and frustration levels dropped.

On-Site Support to Reduce the Backlog

To address the backlog of support tickets, Vertilocity deployed an on-site engineer, whose role was to manage day-to-day issues directly and ease the burden on internal leadership.

• Previously, 10 to 20 tickets per week were being handled solely by CTO Michael Steffen
• With support in place, leadership regained time to focus on security, compliance, and long-term planning

Documentation for Long-Term Clarity

Michael brought experience from the medical device industry, where every action is documented. Vertilocity’s approach to IT documentation mirrored that expectation.

• Every change was recorded and made transparent
• A ticketing system connected directly to the clinic’s email domain
• The result was improved communication and fewer missteps

Support for Seamless Expansion

As IVF Michigan & Ohio Fertility Centers opened three new offices, Vertilocity ensured a smooth rollout. Equipment, connectivity, and IT policies were all brought online efficiently. Each location was quickly integrated into the broader network, helping the organization maintain consistency without slowing down.

The Outcome: A Healthier IT Environment and a Stronger Future

With Vertilocity in place, the organization shifted from reactive support to proactive management. According to CTO Michael Steffen:

“Since Vertilocity came on board, it’s been a night and day experience from other providers I’ve seen in the past. Their response time is outstanding and there’s no comparison to my last service provider. I know that I’m a client, but I never feel like I’m being spoken down to in any sort of way. I feel like I’m an equal. It’s a true partnership. I never feel like anything I’m saying is not taken seriously. It’s their attention to detail and the very professional attitude that’s one of the great joys of working with them.”

Chris Jeanguenat, Net Administrator for Vertilocity, shared the impact from the team’s perspective:

“Now that Vertilocity has taken over the daily IT ticket management, Michael can concentrate more on project work, especially in areas like cybersecurity. It’s evident in our weekly meetings how this shift has eased his workload; he’s much more relieved and focused. He frequently expresses his gratitude, telling us how our involvement has lifted a weight off his shoulders.”

Why This Matters for Healthcare Providers

This story reflects a broader shift happening across fertility and specialty healthcare. Clinics are evolving into data-driven organizations. Patient care is closely tied to system performance, compliance, and secure communication.

• A Deloitte study found that 92 percent of healthcare consumers expect digital tools such as online scheduling, patient portals, and secure messaging
• Companies like AIVF are introducing artificial intelligence into embryology and lab processes, increasing demand for infrastructure that can support automation and large data volumes
• Healthcare practices face more than HIPAA. They also must navigate quality initiatives, payer audits, and shifting interoperability requirements

To meet these challenges, healthcare providers need more than IT help desks. They need strategic IT and partners who understand both the technology and the clinical environment.

Start Building a Healthier IT Future

Vertilocity’s work with IVF Michigan & Ohio Fertility Centers shows what’s possible when healthcare organizations invest in purpose-built technology solutions. With the right support, practices can grow confidently, stay compliant, and protect their patient relationships.

Explore how Vertilocity can support your clinic’s journey.

• Schedule a consultation to see what’s possible for your practice
• Download the Case Study
• Email: info@vertilocity.com
• Website: vertilocity.com/healthcare-it