Ariel Schnur Azarian ‘13
ALUMNIspotlight
Graduate Helps Give the Gift of Life
By Alan Zeitlin ‘00
The birth of a healthy child is one of the greatest miracles of life. As a fertility nurse for Reproductive Medical Associates of New York, Ariel Schnur gets to help a vast array of women bring that miracle into the world. Schnur, who graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in nursing said her job offers a glimpse at wonderment. “It’s extremely rewarding to help build new families for people who have had difficulty getting pregnant,” she said. Some women come from impoverished or abusive situations. Some may have had cancer treatment or other treatments that affect fertility. There are some from the LGBTQ community. Some roads to become pregnant are longer and more difficult than others and there are a lot of nerves. “It’s very exciting but also nerve-racking for the person,” she said. “They think that every step might change the outcome or if they eat the wrong thing it’s terrible, or if a taxi hits a bump, it’s terrible. Google is the worst!” Schnur, 28 did clinical rotations at area hospitals in Binghamton and volunteered as a doula at UHS Hospital. She dealt with teens giving birth. “I think it’s important to always be compassionate and
help others and I realized I wanted to have a career where I would do both,” she said. One area of research she did was with women who smoked during pregnancy due to addiction and she worked on programs for cessation of smoking. One highlight was to see the birth of quadruplets. A few of the women she worked with even became friends. She admits it can be an emotional roller-coaster in the joy of families who are able to have children and the difficulty when fertilization doesn’t occur or something else goes wrong at a later stage. “When it’s a success there is such an overwhelming joy,” she said. “We see many women coming back a second time. When it is not a success, the best comfort we can give them is just to listen and be there for them. There is a great sense of loss. It’s important for the patient to know it’s not something they did wrong and that she shouldn’t blame herself.” Schnur grew up in Bellmore, Long Island. She met her Sephardic husband at a 4th of July celebration in Great Neck. He proposed to her on a vacation to Disneyland. Schnur said the family that is built at Chabad is one that makes the college unique. “Rivky was an extremely critical person in my college career,” Schnur said. “There were no holds barred. You could come at her with any question and she was always warm and had answers and if she didn’t have the answers, she would find them. She was a great mother figure.” Schnur’s mother, Gail, died in August after a brain aneurism. Schnur said Rivky was instrumental in helping her and was always there for her to talk on the phone. “It is touching to see how Chabad cares about all of the students, even years after they graduate.” Schnur said her desire to help people partly comes from her mother, who was a nutrition coach. Her advice to other students? “Get involved,” she said. “Binghamton is a great place. Chabad is unforgettable, and your time will go by fast. I have so many great memories of being there with great friends. Don’t be afraid to take on an active role.” Alan Zeitlin teaches English and Journalism at a Brooklyn public high school. As a freelance writer for the past 11 years, his articles have appeared in The Jewish Week, The Journal News and other publications.
DECember 2019 | 7
