Tara A. Cherry, MD — An Honest Editorial Review

Among fertility clinics in Texas, many Austin patients start not at a reproductive-endocrinology program but at a trusted OB/GYN who can run the initial labs, read the first ultrasound, and coordinate an REI referral when it's time. Dr. Tara A. Cherry practices at Austin Regional Clinic's South OB/GYN office and has built a particular reputation for endometriosis-attentive care — a useful thing for fertility-curious patients whose workup uncovers endometriosis.

About the Physician

Dr. Tara A. Cherry (maiden name Douglas) earned her medical degree at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Amarillo) from 2000 to 2004 — more than 20 years of post-residency practice. She is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and licensed by the Texas Medical Board.

She practices with Austin Regional Clinic (ARC), a large multi-specialty group, at the ARC South OB/GYN office, and she is affiliated with St. David's South Austin Medical Center for deliveries and surgeries.

Services Offered

Services typical of Dr. Cherry's practice include:

• Well-woman exams and annual gynecology
• Comprehensive prenatal and obstetric care
• Infertility workup (hormone panels, pelvic ultrasound, HSG, semen analysis ordered through a reference lab)
• Ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) — confirm at intake
• Endometriosis management — Dr. Cherry treats endometriosis notably more often than comparable Austin providers according to public practice data
• PCOS, fibroid, and abnormal-bleeding management
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
• Contraception, menopause, and hormone therapy

Telehealth is available for new and follow-up visits.

What This Practice Is — and Isn't

Austin Regional Clinic's South OB/GYN is a general obstetrics and gynecology office within a large multi-specialty group. It is not a reproductive-endocrinology (REI) or IVF center. The practice does not operate an embryology lab, does not perform egg retrievals or embryo transfers, and is not a SART-member clinic. Patients who need IVF, ICSI, donor-egg cycles, PGT-A/PGT-M, or third-party reproduction will be referred to an Austin-area REI — the market includes Texas Fertility Center, Austin Fertility Institute, Aspire Fertility Austin, and others.

The Endometriosis-Fertility Intersection

Endometriosis is present in a meaningful share of patients with unexplained infertility — studies estimate 25–50% depending on workup depth — and early OB/GYN recognition matters because endometriosis-related fertility management can include both medical suppression and surgical excision ahead of an IVF cycle. A general OB/GYN like Dr. Cherry who sees endometriosis often is a reasonable first stop before referral to a reproductive-endocrinology surgeon or an REI. For deeper-infiltrating disease, specialized minimally invasive surgeons (Ceana Nezhat in Atlanta, for example; similar Texas options exist) are often the right next step ahead of IVF.

Texas Insurance Context

Texas is not a fertility-coverage-mandate state. There is no state law requiring commercial insurers to cover IVF or IUI. Basic OB/GYN workup at a practice like ARC South OB/GYN is generally billed under routine gynecologic care; IUI is variable. Our fertility insurance mandates by state guide covers the broader landscape.

Patient Experience

The 4.9/163 Google rating, combined with the Austin Regional Clinic platform (large group, integrated EMR, established scheduling and telehealth infrastructure), suggests a patient experience emphasizing continuity, convenience, and broad specialty access. Individual experiences vary.

Considering At-Home Insemination?

For Austin-area patients starting family-building without a known fertility diagnosis — particularly single parents by choice and LGBTQ+ couples — at-home intracervical insemination (ICI) is a reasonable first step before clinical IUI.

MakeAMom kits are a one-time purchase, reusable until conception, and ship in plain packaging. They pair well with basic preconception health work at a practice like ARC. At-home insemination is not a substitute for clinical care if you have a known diagnosis, have been trying 12 months (six if over 35), or your physician has recommended clinical IUI or IVF.

When to Add a Clinical REI

Book an Austin-area REI consult if you have:

• Been trying 12 months (six if 35+)
• Irregular or absent cycles (PCOS, POI)
• Confirmed stage III–IV endometriosis
• A blocked tube on HSG
• Abnormal semen analysis
• Two or more pregnancy losses

Our how to read IVF success rates guide and the CDC ART National Summary help compare Austin programs responsibly.

Location and Contact

Practice: Austin Regional Clinic — ARC South OB/GYN Address: 4315 James Casey Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78745 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Hospital affiliation: St. David's South Austin Medical Center Website: austinregionalclinic.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dr. Cherry perform IVF? No. She is a general OB/GYN. Patients who need IVF are referred to an Austin-area REI.

Is she accepting new patients? Yes, including telehealth consultations.

Does she focus on endometriosis? Public practice data shows she treats endometriosis more often than comparable providers in the Austin area.

Does Texas insurance cover fertility treatment? No. Texas has no state fertility-coverage mandate.

Editorial note: Independently written by the Fertlo editorial team; not sponsored. See our editorial policy.