Former UW Medicine fertility doctor accused of using his sperm to inseminate California patient

UW Medicine notified IVF patients that a former physician is facing allegations he artificially inseminated a patient with his sperm.

Former patients of UW Medicine Physician Dr. Christopher Herndon have been notified that he voluntarily surrendered his medical license in November to the Washington Medical Commission.

Patients were told via a phone call or email that the permanent revocation of Herndon’s medical license was due to a concerning allegation against him from 2009. This is when he worked at a California hospital and is “alleged to have inseminated a fertility patient with his sperm rather than that of the requested donor,” an email said.

In light of this discovery, a UW Medicine spokesperson said the organization is “reviewing our safeguards and procedures to continue to ensure the highest level of specimen security.”

It continued, “of the numerous safeguards we employ, we include multiple identity checks, careful chain of custody practices, and separate labs for egg and sperm specimens.” So far, UW Medicine does not believe that any patients who worked with Herndon are at any risk.

From 2017 to 2023 Dr. Herndon worked as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UW Medicine, and also as a physician at the UW Medical Center Reproductive Care clinic.

In a statement, a spokesperson for UW Medicine said “based on what we know at this time, the safeguards in place at UW Medicine's medical centers should prevent an incident such as the one alleged in California from occurring here.”

UW is offering patients who utilize fertility services free DNA testing. They have set up a dedicated phone line for patients to call — (206)520-8755. Herndon is not eligible to renew or reactivate his Washington medical license.

A spokesperson for the King County Prosecutor's Office says a case "involving Christopher Herndon has not been referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office." Law enforcement handles investigations, but "if we get a case from [them] we can act on it promptly."

If you're a former patient of Dr. Christopher Herndon, we'd like to hear from you. You can reach KUOW reporter Diana Opong at dopong@kuow.org.