Avner Hershlag is an Israeli-born American physician specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. He is also widely recognized as the father of Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman. However, his professional achievements extend well beyond his family connection to Hollywood.
With decades of experience in fertility treatment, Hershlag has contributed to reproductive medicine through clinical practice, medical research, specialist training and the development of fertility programs.
His career includes leadership at Northwell Health, academic appointments at prominent American medical institutions and work involving fertility preservation, genetic testing and assisted reproductive technologies.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Avner Hershlag |
| Profession | Physician and fertility specialist |
| Birthplace | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Medical Education | Hebrew University–Hadassah Medical School |
| Specialisation | Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility |
| Professional Affiliation | Island Fertility, Stony Brook Medicine |
| Former Leadership Role | Chief of Northwell Fertility (2011–2018) |
| Spouse | Shelley Stevens |
| Daughter | Natalie Portman |
| Other Work | Medical researcher and author |
Who Is Avner Hershlag?
Avner Hershlag is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive endocrinologist whose career has concentrated on helping patients understand and address infertility.
His work includes assisted reproduction, fertility preservation, and reproductive genetics. He has also been involved in medical education, contributing to the training of physicians entering the field of reproductive endocrinology.
Although public interest in Hershlag often begins with his relationship to Natalie Portman, his medical background provides an independent reason for his professional recognition.
According to Stony Brook Medicine, he has more than three decades of experience caring for fertility patients and has helped establish specialized reproductive healthcare programs.
Early Life and Medical Education
Hershlag was born in Jerusalem, Israel, where he completed his early education and medical studies.
He attended Hebrew University–Hadassah Medical School, one of Israel’s established medical training institutions. His education provided a foundation in clinical medicine before he pursued further specialist training.
After medical school, he completed a three-year general surgery residency at Hadassah Hospital.
In 1984, Hershlag relocated to the United States to continue his professional development.
He subsequently completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., followed by a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Yale University School of Medicine.
This combination of surgical, obstetric, and reproductive medicine training helped prepare him for a career addressing complex fertility conditions.
His Career as a Fertility Specialist
Avner Hershlag built his medical career in a field that combines endocrinology, reproductive biology, and clinical treatment.
Reproductive endocrinologists work with patients experiencing fertility difficulties, including conditions involving ovulation, reproductive hormones and other factors affecting conception.
Hershlag’s professional work has included in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, donor-egg treatment, and reproductive genetic testing.
One particularly important area of his career has been fertility preservation for patients facing cancer treatment.
Certain cancer therapies can affect reproductive function. Fertility preservation services allow eligible patients to explore options for protecting their future reproductive choices before undergoing treatment.
Hershlag has helped develop programs that address these concerns, combining medical expertise with careful patient counseling.
Leadership at Northwell Health
A significant period of Hershlag’s professional career involved leadership at Northwell Health in New York.
He served as Chief of Northwell Fertility from 2011 to 2018, overseeing specialist reproductive healthcare services.
During his association with the institution, he helped establish and develop programs involving IVF, egg freezing, donor eggs, preimplantation genetic testing, and fertility preservation.
He also established a reproductive endocrinology fellowship program and served as its program director.
These responsibilities extended beyond treating individual patients. They involved developing clinical services and supporting the education of future fertility specialists.
His leadership experience reflects the combination of patient care, teaching, and program development that has characterized his medical career.
Academic Work and Medical Research
Hershlag has maintained substantial connections with academic medicine alongside his clinical responsibilities.
His professional profiles document appointments associated with the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and Stony Brook University.
His research interests include the relationship between genetics and infertility, fertility preservation, and preimplantation genetic testing.
Preimplantation genetic testing involves examining embryos created through IVF for particular genetic or chromosomal characteristics. Its clinical use depends on each patient’s circumstances and guidance from an appropriate specialist.
Hershlag has also contributed to discussions surrounding the ethical implications of reproductive technologies.
According to his institutional biography, he has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed scientific papers and more than 30 book chapters.
These publications demonstrate a sustained involvement in the research and educational aspects of reproductive medicine.
His Work at Island Fertility
Stony Brook Medicine identifies Hershlag as a reproductive endocrinologist associated with Island Fertility in Commack, New York.
The practice provides fertility-related services through Stony Brook Medicine’s physician network.
His institutional profile also lists academic responsibilities and professional expertise involving infertility treatment, reproductive genetics, and fertility preservation.
His continuing involvement with clinical medicine and medical education distinguishes his professional identity from the celebrity-related coverage that frequently accompanies his name online.
Avner Hershlag and Natalie Portman
Avner Hershlag is Natalie Portman’s father, the internationally recognized actress known for films including Black Swan, V for Vendetta, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Portman was born in Jerusalem in 1981. Her parents, Avner Hershlag and Shelley Stevens, subsequently raised her in the United States.
The family lived in several American locations before settling on Long Island, New York.
Portman’s parents played an important role during the early stages of her acting career.
In a family profile published by People, Portman’s upbringing was described as strongly influenced by her parents’ emphasis on education and protecting her welfare while she worked in entertainment.
Hershlag was reportedly cautious about some of the material involved in Portman’s early film opportunities, particularly the mature themes surrounding Léon: The Professional.
The family’s approach reflected an effort to balance her developing career with the responsibilities of raising a young child.
While Natalie Portman pursued acting, her father continued building his medical career.
Family and Personal Background
Hershlag is married to Shelley Stevens, an artist who has been closely involved in the family.
Their only child is their daughter, Natalie Portman.
The family’s background connects Israel and the United States, with Portman spending her earliest years in Jerusalem before growing up in America.
Hershlag’s professional career and Portman’s entertainment achievements represent two different public dimensions of the same family.
Much of the reliable information about his private life comes from established reporting on Portman’s upbringing rather than from extensive personal publicity.
Avner Hershlag as an Author
Beyond medicine, Hershlag has explored writing for a wider audience.
He wrote Misconception, a novel set in the world of reproductive medicine.
His literary work provides another dimension to a career otherwise associated primarily with medical practice, academic teaching, and scientific research.
His professional background also gives him direct familiarity with the ethical and scientific questions surrounding fertility treatment, subjects that have appeared throughout his academic work.
Read this too: Woody Cook: How Zoe Ball’s Son Built His Own DJ and Music Career
FAQs
Who is Avner Hershlag?
Avner Hershlag is an Israeli-born American physician specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. He is also the father of actress Natalie Portman.
What does Avner Hershlag specialize in?
He specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, with experience in IVF, fertility preservation, egg freezing, and reproductive genetic testing.
Is Avner Hershlag Natalie Portman’s father?
Yes. Avner Hershlag and Shelley Stevens are the parents of actress Natalie Portman, who was born in Jerusalem in 1981.
Where did Avner Hershlag study medicine?
He graduated from Hebrew University–Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem and later completed specialist medical training at George Washington University Medical Center and Yale University School of Medicine.
What is Avner Hershlag known for professionally?
He is recognized for his work in reproductive medicine, his former leadership of Northwell Fertility, his academic contributions, and his involvement in developing fertility treatment programs.
Conclusion
Avner Hershlag has established a professional identity through decades of work in reproductive endocrinology, infertility treatment and medical education.
His experience in developing fertility programs, supporting medical research, and teaching specialist physicians provides a substantial career history independent of his relationship with Natalie Portman.
Although his daughter is internationally famous, Hershlag’s most significant professional contributions lie in reproductive healthcare.
