Meet our Amazing Team!

Dr Krystene DiPaola, MD

Rachel Ziders, TS(ABB) -Senior Embryologist, Lab Supervisor

Rachel has been our Embryologist and Lab Supervisor since our practice opened in 2019. Rachel strives to create a more compassionate IVF experience for our patients which includes comprehensive patient education and transparent communication. She attended the University at Buffalo and obtained her BS in Biology and a BA in History. She has been an Embryologist since 2017. She has trained along side Dr. Tony Anderson in various advanced techniques and went on to obtain her Board Certification in Embryology in 2022. Among her other accomplishments, she has established an ongoing affiliation with the University at Buffalo in creating an Undergraduate Internship Program.

Rachel’s calling has always been Women’s Health. Prior to starting her career as an Embryologist, she worked in clinical care at Buffalo OBGYN for 7 years. During this time, she volunteered with a surgical a mission group and was privileged with the experience of helping underserved women by assisting in various OBGYN surgeries. Her passion for Women’s Health continues to grow as she helps families in their IVF journey.

Alyssa - Physician Assistant

Alyssa Raichel is our second Physician Assistant to join the team here at YFF. Alyssa was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She started her medical studies at SUNY Brockport where she graduated with a Bachelors in Biology and double minored in Chemistry and Pre-Professional Health. Following her undergraduate studies, Alyssa went on to graduate PA school from D’Youville University, where she obtained her dual BS/MS degree in Physician Assistant studies. She is a nationally certified Physician Assistant currently licensed in the state of New York.

Alyssa has always known she wanted to work in the field of Women’s Health, and shares the teams passion for providing high quality care to patients of all backgrounds. She is so excited to join Dr. DiPaola and the team on their family building journey!

Liz - Physician Assistant

Elizabeth A. Smith, MPAS, PA-C, RDMS

Liz grew up in the Hudson Valley region of New York. She completed her Associate of Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in 2009 at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma. VA. She later returned to school and completed a combined Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2019 at D'Youville University in Buffalo, NY. She has a love for women's health and reproductive endocrinology and is excited to join the YFF team and utilize both her clinical and sonography skills to help others.

When she is not at YFF, she enjoys spending time with her family, vacationing in the Caribbean, cooking, and outdoor activities.