Meet Mary K. Samplaski, MD

Dr. Samplaski is a urologist at Keck Medicine of USC, who specializes in male infertility, andrology and microsurgery.

Here is what you won’t find on her resume.

She keeps active outside of work.

“When I’m not working, I’m usually paddleboarding, practicing yoga and brunching.”

She has a love for water.

“When I was growing up, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I still follow some of my childhood passions, through my love for traveling to my favorite destinations, such as Costa Rica. Some things I still have yet to check off my bucket list include traveling to Iguazu Falls and Kilimanjaro, and shark cage diving.”

She lives her life by two specific mantras.

“Two pieces of advice have stuck with me my entire life: Treat people how you would like to be treated, and live boldly.”

Helping build families inspires her.

“I love my job because I get to be involved in the lives of people who are trying to have a baby. I’m inspired to continue to be the best physician every day because of the joy on a couple’s face when they learn they are pregnant. It’s hard to describe how beautiful that is.”

Technology has significantly advanced her field.

“Two of the most influential advancements in my field are: in vitro fertilization — a series of complex procedures used to treat fertility or genetic problems and assist with conception of a child — and the operative microscope, which has revolutionized the success rates of vasectomy reversals. What I would like to see happen in my lifetime is sperm maturation as a solution for infertility caused by cancer treatments in young boys who have not yet reached puberty, so they can have children in the future.”

Her bedside manner isn’t affected by her daily challenges.

“I find my bedside manner to be kind, compassionate, honest and straightforward. With that said, the most challenging part of my day is when I have to tell men that we did not find sperm.”

She chose Keck Medicine because it’s an academic medical center.

“I chose to work at an academic medical center because I enjoy teaching residents. The multidisciplinary nature of Keck Medicine also allows us to provide every specialty, which translates to excellence in patient care.”

View Dr. Samplaski’s full biography and schedule an appointment.

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