Meet the Experts Behind
Empower Fertility
Discover the compassionate care and expertise that make Empower Fertility the premier choice for growing your family
Dr. Dan Rychlik
Medical Director & Leading
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Dr. Daniel F. Rychlik or Dr. Dan by his patients is a nationally recognized, double board-certified expert in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and Obstetrics & Gynecology, with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood.
As the Medical Director of Empower Fertility in Santa Barbara, he brings an unparalleled blend of clinical excellence, academic distinction, and personal compassion to every patient he serves.
Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Dan completed his B.S. in Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with minors in Psychology, Asian History, and Anthropology.
He received his M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, followed by a residency in OB/GYN at St. Francis Hospital.
He completed his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine— the historic birthplace of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)—as well as additional postgraduate studies at the University of Chicago Graham School.
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Heather is the experienced presence at the heart of Empower Fertility’s daily operations. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, she brings a warm, local touch to her role as Office Manager. With over 25 years in OB/GYN and surgical care, Heather offers unmatched expertise in managing complex schedules, coordinating administrative details, and guiding patients through every step of their journey.
Married and a proud mom of three, Heather understands the importance of compassionate care and family-centered support. She combines precision with empathy—ensuring that billing, scheduling, and office logistics are seamless so patients can focus on what matters most. Her deep background in both front and back office roles allows her to anticipate needs and deliver care that feels both professional and personal.
Whether she’s keeping operations running smoothly, helping patients navigate paperwork, or answering questions with kindness, Heather is dedicated to creating a supportive, stress-free experience at Empower Fertility.
Heather Carrillo
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Gianna is the operational backbone of Empower Fertility. Working directly alongside Dr. Rychlik, she is responsible for ensuring that the business side of the practice reflects the same standard of care that patients experience clinically.
Her academic background in molecular biology and biochemistry, combined with research and teaching experience at UC Santa Barbara, gives her a foundation that is both scientifically rigorous and patient-informed. She understands the medicine behind the care — and uses that understanding to build systems that actually serve patients rather than just process them.
Gianna came to fertility medicine with intention. It is a field where patients are often at their most vulnerable, and where the quality of information, access, and advocacy they receive can define their experience entirely. At Empower Fertility, her work is grounded in a commitment to transparent, ethical, patient-first care — and to building a practice where every patient is seen, heard, and supported.
Gianna Giovannoni
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Dr. Daniel F. Rychlik or Dr. Dan by his patients is a nationally recognized, double board-certified expert in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and Obstetrics & Gynecology, with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood. As the Medical Director of Empower Fertility in Santa Barbara, he brings an unparalleled blend of clinical excellence, academic distinction, and personal compassion to every patient he serves.
Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Dan completed his B.S. in Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with minors in Psychology, Asian History, and Anthropology. He received his M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, followed by a residency in OB/GYN at St. Francis Hospital. He completed his fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine— the historic birthplace of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)—as well as additional postgraduate studies at the University of Chicago Graham School.
Dr. Daniel Rychlik
Dr. Barry Behr
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Dr. Behr graduated from University of Nevada-Reno with honors and earned his Ph.D. with emphasis in Reproductive Physiology in 1991, board certified as High Complexity Laboratory Director in 1994, and board certified as Embryology Laboratory Director in 2003.
Dr. Behr is a nationally and internationally renowned clinical and scientific leader in the research and advances of human reproduction. As a world-renown scientist and lecturer, he is highly sought after to chair scientific programs and conferences, was the first non M.D. President of the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society, and has been appointed as program chair of several professional meetings. He is in the forefront of clinical and scientific advances in reproduction, nationally and internationally as an entrepreneur and has founded several fertility related businesses. Dr. Behr developed a culture medium for embryo culture to the blastocyst stage, which improved pregnancy rates, implantation rates and reduced the risks of multiple gestation in IVF. Dr. Behr has been widely recognized for his research. He has published over 110 peer-reviewed publications, and has authored over 190 abstracts and 16 book chapters.
Dr. Behr enjoys racing cars, golfing, barbequing, and spending time with his family.
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Olesya is the compassionate presence behind every ultrasound at Empower Fertility. With more than a decade of experience in fertility imaging, she brings a rare combination of technical precision and emotional warmth to each scan. Patients know her for her gentle approach and calming energy during some of the most meaningful moments in their journey. Before joining Empower, Olesya worked in high-volume fertility and OB/GYN clinics across Southern California, including with Dr. Melissa Drake and Southern California Reproductive Center. She is certified in OB/GYN and abdominal sonography by ARDMS, and originally trained as a pediatrician in Ukraine before relocating to Santa Barbara.“What I love most about working in fertility,” Olesya shares, “is getting to see your babies—those first heartbeats, those quiet, powerful moments. It’s an honor to be part of it.” Whether guiding a procedure or capturing that first glimpse of a growing pregnancy, Olesya offers skill, sensitivity, and unwavering support.
Olesya Uzun
Alberto Buenrostro Lopez
Elham Fazeli
Behind-the-Scenes Experts
Our Dedicated
Embryology Team
What They Do: Highly trained embryologists who ensure the highest level of care for your embryos.
Specializations: Cutting-edge techniques like vitrification, ICSI, and preimplantation genetic testing.
Achievements: Proud participants in national proficiency programs and known for above-average success rates.
The Care Team
Nurses, Coordinators,
and Front Office
Commitment: Our compassionate team is with you every step of the way.
Coordinators: Streamline your fertility journey, making everything stress-free and simple.
Front Desk: Friendly staff who ensure your experience is welcoming and seamless.
Partnering for Your Success
At Empower Fertility, every team member plays a critical role in making your dreams come true. From your first phone call to your final appointment, our mission is to deliver the best outcomes possible.