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It’s official: Alto Pharmacy is a great place to work! We’re honored to join the community ofGreat Place to Work-Certified™ companies based on team member feedback and a rigorous assessment of our company’s culture and benefits.

Join us in delivering our industry-leading pharmacy care to millions of people across the country. As a member of the team, you’ll play an integral role in improving our customers’ quality of life and redefining what’s possible in pharmacy.

Be Part of a Great Place to Work — Join Our Team

Hear first-hand from members of the Alto technology teams.

Read the latest Alto blog posts covering healthcare, family health, managing diseases, and other Alto highlights.

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We’re excited to welcome Christopher Tidball to the Alto team as Director of Product Management, Supply Chain & Fulfillment. Learn more about his passions both in and outside of work and what drew him to Alto.

Introducing Christopher Tidball, Director of Product Management - Supply Chain & Fulfillment

We’re excited to welcome Christopher Tidball to the Alto team as Director of Product Management, Supply Chain & Fulfillment. Most recently, Christopher led a large team of product managers, engineers and program managers at Amazon to power the company’s most complex fulfillment operations. 

As Alto continues to expand our geographic footprint and customer base, Christopher’s nearly 20 years of industry experience will support us in scaling our systems, so that we can continue to deliver the same high standards of care and service to even more communities.

We recently sat down with Christopher to learn more about his passions both in and outside of work, what drew him to Alto, and the operational opportunities he’s most excited about. 

Welcome to Alto! What inspired you to join the team?

Before a recruiter ever reached out to me about a role at Alto, my wife and I were very satisfied customers. We had been on a long journey of trying to start a family, and that ultimately led us to a fertility clinic that recommended Alto. We had a great experience from day one: the app was easy to use, the same-day deliveries from couriers were always on time, and Alto’s pharmacists walked us through the various medications in our delivery and answered all of our questions. 

Alto’s focus on the customer experience was immediately clear, and I made a mental note that this was the type of company I’d like to work for. Fast forward a few months later, a recruiter reached out and introduced me to the leadership team whose passion and experience sold me on leaving Amazon to come here.

As the Director of Product Management - Supply Chain and Fulfillment, I'll focus on the technology investments that can help us continue to grow and offer exceptional service to our customers. “Supply chain” covers a lot of ground: procurement, inventory, pharmacy operations, delivery, and more. There are tons of opportunities to automate processes to make it easier for Altoids to run the business, especially as we grow and expand. 

What areas of the business are you most excited about?

The operations side has always been exciting to me—it's where the magic happens. At the end of the day, if we don't have sustainable, efficient ways to fulfill the promises we make to our customers, we won't survive. 

Alto has a great business model, and many happy customers to show for it, but there’s always room to continue to innovate and improve the delivery experience. It's one of the few in-person interactions we have with the customer and we want to make it exceptional.

Tell us about life outside of Alto. Are you doing anything interesting at the moment?

I'm a pilot in training — I'm about 75% of the way to getting my single-engine license. I live in Seattle so the aerial views of the city, Puget Sound, and the Cascade Mountains are absolutely breathtaking. Flying gives you a sense of freedom that reminds me of when I first got my driver's license.

You can find more information about Christopher or connect with him directly on LinkedIn. If you have any questions about Alto, or are interested in joining our team, please visit alto.com/careers.

For nearly 50 years, RESOLVE — a national patient advocacy organization — has been both a go-to resource for individuals and couples experiencing infertility and a leading advocacy voice.

What to know about RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Infertility is often misunderstood and stigmatized, and it’s easy to feel isolated when you are experiencing difficulty starting a family. For nearly 50 years, RESOLVE — a national patient advocacy organization — has been both a go-to resource for individuals and couples experiencing infertility and a leading advocacy voice, helping pass laws across the country to make family building options more accessible.

Simeonne Bookal, Senior Manager, Access to Care, and Tracie Sullivan, Senior Manager, Grassroots Outreach, recently spoke with Alto about some of the challenges their organization has overcome, what’s coming up next, and why we need more honest conversations about infertility.

RESOLVE has supported individuals and couples through infertility challenges for nearly 50 years. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as an organization?

Tracie: I focus on RESOLVE’s grassroots advocacy efforts and help lawmakers understand the challenges of family building and the need for legislation that removes barriers to family building options. I continue to see so much stigma and shame around infertility, even in 2021. Part of that comes from misconceptions about infertility and surrogacy.  

I would say, though, that we are generally moving in a positive direction, with greater awareness of infertility and all the accompanying challenges. In recent years, celebrities and other influencers have come forward and shared their experiences with infertility, which has opened the gate for more conversations.

Simeonne: To build on Tracie’s point, when public figures do come forward and share their experiences with infertility, it’s often after they’ve had a happy ending, not when they’re struggling the most. We’re continually trying to broaden the conversation so that people feel empowered to share when they’re in the most difficult part of their infertility journey. 

On a different note, the pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges we’ve had to tackle as an organization. For us, pivoting to virtual programming isn’t just about moving online, it’s about finding ways to offer the same quality of services and events as we did pre-pandemic. 

We’ve had success with virtual events, including our advocacy day and programming for National Infertility Awareness Week 2021. Many people have found our virtual support groups to be really accessible, and that’s been an opportunity for us to reconsider how we can most effectively bring people together.

What can we look forward to from RESOLVE in the near future?

Simeonne: Like many organizations, RESOLVE is invested in making our programming as inclusive and diverse as possible. Something I’m really excited about, which emerged from our conversations about inclusion and diversity, are more tailored support groups.

We recently launched a men’s support group and a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) support group. I think we’ll continue to see a trend of more specific support groups over time, in recognition of how many different experiences of infertility exist.

What would you tell someone who’s nervous about joining an infertility support group?

Simeonne: Just give it a try. There’s no commitment required, and you can talk as little or as much as you want. It may feel intimidating to share something so personal with a group of strangers, but many people find it easier to discuss infertility in our support groups than with family and friends since you’re speaking with people who understand what you’re going through. 

Also, now is an ideal time to get started, since many of our groups are meeting virtually. You don’t even have to leave the house, you can just log on.

What’s happening in the legislative landscape in regards to family building opportunities?

Tracie: Right now, 19 different states have passed fertility insurance coverage laws, 13 of which include IVF coverage. (Editor’s note: Fertility insurance coverage laws require health insurance providers to offer coverage for diagnosing infertility and treatment. There is significant variation in state-level legislation, and not all states with fertility insurance coverage laws require health insurers to cover assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures like IVF.)

And 11 states have fertility preservation laws that support people navigating medically-induced infertility, including cancer patients and survivors. (Editor’s note: Fertility preservation treatments like egg freezing and sperm freezing allow individuals to have biological children in the future after changes to their reproductive health. Many individuals living with health conditions that impact fertility explore these treatment options, as do others who wish to delay starting a family.)

RESOLVE is actively working to pass fertility insurance coverage laws in other states, and to improve the legislation that is already in place. For example, in some states with fertility insurance coverage legislation, there are restrictions to coverage access, including marriage requirements and five-year waiting periods for fertility treatment, which don’t align with current medical care standards. 

In other states, coverage is limited to diagnosis and testing and does not include treatment. We also support federal legislation that improves access to family building. Our goal is to make these benefits as inclusive and accessible to as many individuals and families as possible. 

We have a great resource on our website that explains more about infertility insurance and offers a state-by-state breakdown of fertility insurance coverage laws.

View RESOLVE’s guide to infertility coverage by state.

The financial cost of fertility treatment can feel overwhelming. Can you share any resources that help make fertility treatment more accessible?

Simeonne: There are many resources out there that can help alleviate part of the financial burden — from manufacturers’ patient assistance programs to scholarships, grants, and coverage at work programs — but it does require a bit of research. 

We have a list of infertility financing programs and services on our website, which includes some patient assistance programs, and another page with scholarships and grants that you can apply to. 

In addition, RESOLVE’s Coverage at Work initiative was created to support employees and employers in adding fertility insurance coverage to their companies’ healthcare plans.

Tracie: We’ve been happy to see that more employers are offering coverage, even in states that don’t have laws related to infertility coverage. If family building options aren’t covered through your employer’s healthcare plan, we always encourage people to ask for support. You’ll be helping many more people going through the same experience by bringing attention to the need for coverage.

View RESOLVE’s toolkit for employees seeking fertility insurance coverage.

What do you enjoy most about being a part of RESOLVE?

Simeonne: I feel grateful to work for an organization that’s making a direct impact in so many people’s lives. I love getting messages from support group members sharing what this resource means to them. I feel a greater connection to my work and a deeper sense of motivation knowing it touches so many people during a time in their life when it’s easy to feel alone. 

Tracie: I also love seeing the difference that RESOLVE makes for so many people. Many of the laws our community has helped advocate for take years to pass, but when they do, thousands of people get the coverage they need to start a family. And I feel lucky to work alongside such a passionate group. Many of our advocates are people who have completed their family building journeys but want to be there for others.

The importance of seeking support when experiencing infertility 

It is understandable to feel overwhelmed when navigating infertility and exploring your family building options. While each individual journey is unique, there are others willing to share their experience and offer support as you take the next steps to start a family. RESOLVE can help you connect with other individuals affected by infertility and explore your options for financing fertility treatment.

Search for a RESOLVE support group and learn more about how to seek fertility insurance coverage from your employer.

At Alto, we understand the complexities of fertility treatment and the challenges of infertility, and we are here to support you in starting a family if fertility medications become part of your path to parenthood. With Alto, you’ll never have to worry about whether medications will arrive on time, and you’ll have support at every step of the way — we offer a variety of resources including one-on-one consultations with fertility-trained pharmacists to ensure that you’re never alone in navigating fertility treatment.

Learn more at alto.com/fertility or reach out at any time via text or phone at 1-800-874-5881, or in-app messaging. 

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 - October 15 every year, Alto is highlighting the important work of Alto Auténtico, our Latinx employee resource group (ERG).

Get to Know Alto Auténtico, our Latinx ERG

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 - October 15 every year, Alto is highlighting the important work of Alto Auténtico, our Latinx employee resource group (ERG)*. Below, Robert Barahona, Provider Success Specialist and co-leader of Alto Auténtico, shares more about the group’s origins, current initiatives, and plans for the future.

Robert: “Auténtico” means authentic in Spanish, and authenticity is central to the ERG’s mission. The group was created to ensure that Alto’s Latinx team members have a presence and a voice within our company culture, and that they are supported in their professional development with meaningful opportunities to grow at Alto.  

Robert: Our focus is both internal and external. In addition to developing a Latinx community at Alto, we also shape Alto’s product and services so that we’re better serving our Latinx users (more about that later). Much of that work involves building awareness of Latinx history and cultural contributions, as well as bringing attention to negative stereotypes that we want to dismantle.

We use holidays and events like Day of the Dead (November 1st and 2nd) and Cesar Chavez’ birthday (March 31) to share educational resources with our team members. On Cinco de Mayo, we hosted a Zoom happy hour and a taco lunch for all our pharmacies.

For last year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, we invited Dr. Robert Rodriguez, the president of diversity consulting firm DRR Advisors and a thought leader in Latinx talent management, to speak at Alto. He shared about his own journey of repressing his background to assimilate in the workplace to fully embracing his heritage and empowering other Latinx employees to be their authentic selves.

How are we celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this year?

Robert: We’re focusing on celebrating Latinx intersectionality. It’s important to recognize the diversity within Latinx culture and the important perspectives of Latinx women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those of mixed heritage, including our Black and Asian members who also identify as Hispanic or Latinx. Every week during Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re educating the full Alto team about a specific group within the broader Latinx community, with resources for additional learning.

What can team members look forward to from Alto Auténtico in the future? 

Robert: We’re really excited to continue to help shape Alto’s services and resources for customers, making our offerings as inclusive as possible. We’re currently working with the operations, product, and marketing teams to establish a bilingual team to support Spanish-speaking individuals using our pharmacy delivery services across all of our communities. 

We’re also launching a mentorship program in which Alto’s junior Latinx team members will be paired with senior Latinx team members for coaching sessions. This is another important step in continuing to invest in our Latinx team members’ professional development.

How can allies recognize Hispanic Heritage Month?

Robert: Great question! I think learning is key. Simply taking the time to educate yourself about the Hispanic and/or Latinx experience — particularly about our diversity as a group — goes a long way toward building trust, which is key to true allyship.

Interested in learning more about the Alto Auténtico employee resource group? Reach out to altoautentico@alto.com and visit alto.com/careers to learn more about our open roles. 

*ERGs are meant to empower community groups within an organization by directly linking decision makers and implementing policies that support the group’s specific needs. The groups often center around a shared identity or experience and focus on building community, providing support, and contributing to its members’ personal and professional well-being. By creating an open forum for employees to come together, discuss challenges and opportunities, and foster a sense of belonging, ERGs help both individuals and organizations thrive.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 - October 15 every year, Alto is highlighting the important work of Alto Auténtico, our Latinx employee resource group (ERG)

The face of fertility treatment continues to evolve, with more and more LGBTQ+ couples and individuals seeking to become parents. Learn more about the fertility considerations specific to TGNB individuals.

Fertility Options for Transgender, Gender-Queer, and Nonbinary (TGNB) Individuals

The face of fertility treatment continues to evolve, with more and more LGBTQ+ couples and individuals seeking to become parents. Transgender, gender-queer, and nonbinary (TGNB) inidviduals have multiple options for starting a family, including fertility preservation treatment and using a donor or surrogate for several or more of the components of biological conception. Below, we explain more about the fertility considerations specific to TGNB individuals and potential paths to explore as you plan to start a family.

Each person’s journey to parenthood looks different. Transgender, gender-queer, and nonbinary individuals have specific factors to consider in planning for a family, as the biological process of transitioning may affect your ability to conceive.

Many transgender and nonbinary individuals take hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and testosterone blockers, or anti-androgens, while transitioning. Testosterone suppresses feminine physical traits and induces masculine ones in transgender men and some nonbinary individuals, such as facial and body hair and a deeper voice. Estrogen increases feminine characteristics like breast development and facial and body hair reduction in transgender women and some nonbinary individuals.

Researchers are still learning about the impact of testosterone and estrogen therapy on long-term reproductive function. While prolonged testosterone and estrogen use often stop sperm production and ovulation, respectively, some evidence, like a 2019 study on transgender fertility from Boston IVF, suggests that these effects are reversible upon discontinuation of the treatment.

Based on eight years of patient data, the Boston IVF study found that transgender men who underwent egg freezing for fertility preservation had similar egg yields as cisgender women, or women whose sex assigned at birth was female. More than half of the study’s transgender male participants had taken testosterone before pursuing ovarian stimulation treatment, all of whom had discontinued use of the hormone for an average of four months prior to starting their egg freezing cycle.

While the study’s results affirm that hormone therapy may not necessarily prevent you from having children biologically, every person’s situation is different. If you are considering hormone therapy and want to have children in the future, consult with your doctor about the possibility of freezing your eggs or sperm for future use, a process we explain in more detail below.

In addition, there is currently no definitive evidence that testosterone therapy will prevent individuals assigned female sex at birth from becoming pregnant. Depending on your ideal timeline for starting a family, you may also want to discuss contraception options with your healthcare provider.

For many transgender and nonbinary individuals, gender confirmation surgery is an important aspect of transitioning. It plays a crucial role in addressing gender dysphoria, the distress caused by the disconnect between your gender identity and the sex you were assigned at birth.

Depending on the circumstances, gender confirmation surgery may permanently affect your reproductive function. For instance, hysterectomies are performed in some female-to-male transitions, which prevents the possibility of carrying a child in the future. The removal of testicles during a male-to-female transition may also impact your ability to have biological children.

By planning for the future and discussing your reproductive options with your healthcare provider before undergoing gender confirmation surgery, you may be able to preserve your fertility options.

Fertility preservation treatment for TGNB individuals

Many transgender and nonbinary individuals choose to preserve their eggs or sperm for future use before beginning the biological process of transitioning. Sperm freezing helps transgender women plan for a future family before starting estrogen therapy. 

This is a fairly simple process in which a sperm sample is either surgically retrieved or collected by the person freezing their sperm. Doctors will then analyze that initial sperm sample to determine if additional samples are needed. Your sperm will then be stored in vials with cryoprotectant agents that will help ensure its long-term viability.

In egg freezing, transgender men take fertility medications to stimulate egg production. Once the eggs are developed, your doctor will retrieve them from you in a minimally invasive procedure. Your eggs can then be frozen and stored for later use. Depending on how many eggs are yielded, you may have to undergo more than one cycle of egg freezing.

Read our previous blog to learn more about what to expect during egg freezing.

Fertility treatment and conception options

Transgender and nonbinary individuals and families have multiple options for having children biologically, including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

In IUI, transgender women can use their frozen sperm and have it placed into their partner’s or a surrogate’s uterus. If you elect to use a surrogate, they will also take on the role of egg donor, meaning that they will be the biological mother of your child.

In IVF, eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, are then placed into the uterus with the potential outcome of a pregnancy. As with IUI, transgender individuals have multiple options with IVF. 

Transgender men can use their own eggs or those of their partner or a donor to have the fertilized embryo implanted into their own uterus. The sperm may come from their partner or a donor. Alternatively, their partner or a gestational carrier may have the embryos implanted into their uterus. (A gestational carrier carries and delivers a child for an individual or couple and is not genetically related to that child whereas a surrogate offers both her eggs and uterus.)

Transgender women can have their sperm fertilized with eggs from their partner or a donor. Then, their partner or a gestational carrier may have the embryos implanted into their uterus.

IVF is a more complicated process than IUI from a medical standpoint, as it involves more fertility medications and an egg retrieval process. However, IUI can be more emotionally and legally complicated if you are using a surrogate. Take time to research all of your options so that you can determine the best one for your needs and know what to expect going in.

If you are exploring using a donor or surrogate, it’s critical to research your state’s laws about legal parentage procedures once your baby is born. In some states, a surrogate may automatically receive parental rights after your child’s birth since she is the biological mother, which will have to be legally terminated. Explore Movement Advancement Project’s interactive map on parental recognition laws as a starting point. You should also speak with an experienced LGBTQ+ family lawyer in your state before starting the process.

Learn more about these paths to parenthood, including the related legal aspects.

Fertility treatment is a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. Determining how to pay for these expenses is an important part of planning your family. There are many resources such as EMD Serono’s financial assistance programs for fertility medications. Family Equality council also has a list of family-building grants that help LGBQ+ families afford fertility treatment. Be sure to ask your fertility clinic about available financial assistance programs and payment plans.

At Alto, we’re committed to doing whatever we can to minimize stress during fertility treatment, including supporting your financial well-being. If fertility medications are a part of your path to parenthood, we will work with your doctor, your insurance (if applicable), and any third party savings programs that you may qualify for to make your medications as affordable as possible.

Read our previous post on managing the costs of fertility treatment.

A fertility pharmacy partner you can rely on

Alto is here to support your journey with starting a family. We know that there are many paths to parenthood and that each individual or family’s needs are different. Our team of patient care pharmacists has experience working with the TGNB community, and we’ll be here at every step of the way if you choose to pursue any of the fertility treatments described above. We also offer discrete, private packaging and free, same-day delivery to keep stress at minimum during this special time in your life.

Reach out any time to get started via text or phone at 1-800-874-5881, or in-app messaging.

EMD Serono has several patient assistant programs designed to reduce the cost of fertility treatment, including special opportunities for military veterans and cancer survivors.

A Guide to EMD Serono’s Financial Assistance Programs for Fertility Medication

Fertility preservation treatments like egg freezing and IVF are significant investments, both emotionally and financially. Fertility medications used to support egg production, retrievals and implantations often contribute to these expenses. 

At Alto, we support your financial well-being alongside your physical health, working with your doctor, your insurance (if applicable), and any third party savings programs that you may qualify for to make your medications as affordable as possible. In addition to automatically applying any coupon savings, we’ll connect you with any outside programs that require you to apply directly.

If Alto is your fertility pharmacy, your fertility medication protocol likely includes medications manufactured by EMD Serono. EMDS has several patient assistant programs designed to reduce the cost of fertility treatment, including special opportunities for military veterans and cancer survivors.

Read on to learn more details about eligibility for EMDS patient assistant programs and how to apply. You can also read our previous post on managing the costs of fertility treatment to learn about Alto’s additional financial support for fertility treatment and medications.

The EMDS Compassionate Care program provides income-based assistance for fertility medications that aren’t covered by insurance. Eligibility is based on your annual gross household income, number of people in your household, and cost of living and poverty index in your geographic area. 

Eligible individuals can save 25%, 50%, or 75% off of the following medications:

Gonal-f® RFF* Redi-ject™ pen 300 IU, 450 IU and 900 IU

Gonal-f® Multi-Dose vial 450 IU and 1050 IU

The program is available for multiple cycles each calendar year. You must reapply each year.

View additional program details and apply here.

The EMDS Compassionate Corps program provides free medication to eligible, uninsured veterans injured in the line of duty or their spouses. To be eligible, you must be a retired military veteran or the spouse of a veteran who meets the following criteria:

Is infertile due to a service-related injury

Is not privately or publicly insured for infertility medications

Has been diagnosed by a physician as infertile and requiring in-vitro fertilization (IVF)/assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Is not eligible for coverage under the Fertility Veterans Act

The program is available for up to two cycles per calendar year. You must reapply each year.

Download the Compassionate Corps application.

If you’re a veteran who does not qualify for Compassionate Corps, you may still be able to receive 25-75% off of your fertility medications through the Compassionate Care program.  

Certain types of cancer can affect fertility in both men and women, whether it’s due to the removal of organs related to reproduction or a change in hormone levels following treatment. If you are considering starting a family after your cancer treatment, fertility preservation options can make it easier to conceive.

To help ease the financial burden of this process, EMDS donates fertility medications to eligible cancer survivors diagnosed during their reproductive years through the Livestrong Fertility Discount program.

Start the application process on Livestrong’s website to learn if you are eligible.

Through the EMDS GO Direct Rebate program, eligible individuals paying out of pocket can receive a discount, via rebate, for the following medications:

Ovidrel® PreFilled Syringe 10% off per 250 mcg (or 1 syringe) 

Cetrotide® 10% off per 0.25 mg (or 1 kit)

GO Direct Rebate program discounts apply to cash pricing and cannot be combined with other EMDS offers you may receive through your clinic. 

The program requires receipts. View additional details about eligibility and terms. To start the process to submit a rebate request, create an account here.

Alto is here to make your experience with fertility preservation treatments as stress-free as possible. We offer free same-day delivery of your medications and fertility resources like personalized injection guide videos and one-on-one consultations with fertility-trained pharmacists.

Our team of fertility specialists is happy to create  a price quote  specific to your medication protocol. Please contact us at care@alto.com or complete the form online to get a quote started.

All third party trademarks (including logos and icons) referenced by Alto Pharmacy remain the property of their respective owners. Unless specifically identified as such, Alto’s use of third party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship or endorsement between Alto and the owners of these trademarks.

EMD Serono’s Financial Assistance Programs for Fertility Medication

It’s official: Alto Pharmacy is a great place to work! We’re honored to join the community of Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies.

Alto Pharmacy Named Great Place to Work®

It’s official: Alto Pharmacy is a great place to work! We’re honored to join the community of Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies based on team member feedback and a rigorous assessment of our company’s culture and benefits. This important recognition is a testament to the dedication of the entire Alto team and the vision of our founders to create a healthcare company truly anchored on the needs and experiences of the customer.

80% of our team says that Alto is a great place of work, compared to just 59% of employees at  other companies that participated in this year’s assessment. Here are other key takeaways from our team’s’ responses:

93% of our team members say that you are made to feel welcome when you join Alto.

88% say that people care about each other here.

86% say that they are able to take time off from work when needed.

Every company has its own unique culture, but there are two things that all great workplaces share: trust in company leadership and a strong sense of pride in the work. For many Alto team members, being part of a mission-driven company is one of the best parts of working here. 

Our mission — to improve the quality of life for everyone who needs medicine — guides us in every business decision, every day. From fostering an inclusive culture that invests in talent from the same communities as our patients, to building a pharmacy model that meets individuals where they are in their health journey, everything we do at Alto is anchored on delivering meaningful change. 

When asked what makes Alto a great place to work, our team members emphasized our guiding company values — including our commitment to putting patients first and leading with empathy — and getting to spend each workday with colleagues who are also inspired and motivated by those values.

“Our bold, patient-centered mission creates a powerful level of empathy across the entire team,” shared Rob Anderson, Alto’s Head of Talent . “The people who work here are one of the best parts of coming into work, and one of the top reasons our workplace is so rewarding.”

And taking care of our team members is just as important as ensuring we leave no patient behind. In response to the past year’s unprecedented challenges, we introduced Alto Recharge Week, which includes expanded time off for all team members. This reset period allows team members to unplug and recharge, and it’s also a small show of  appreciation for how they supported our patients and healthcare providers throughout these challenging times.  

It’s an exciting moment to be part of Alto’s mission. Since our founding in 2015, we’ve been focused on delivering a totally new model of pharmacy care. Our community-based, courier-first pharmacy model simplifies the entire prescription process and is tailored to each patient’s unique needs, leading to better  outcomes, healthier lives, and happier customers. And with every year, Alto’s impact continues to grow:

More than 36 million individuals now live within Alto’s free same-day courier service zones. 

In the past twelve months, we opened new locations in New York City, Houston, Dallas, and San Jose and expanded our coverage areas in Seattle, Las Vegas, and Denver. 

We've expanded our specialized resources for patients living with diabetes and managing heart and lung conditions .

We’ve accomplished so much over the past six years, and we’re still just getting started.

“I don’t know a single person who hasn’t needed something from a pharmacy at some point, and there’s still so many people across the country who have yet to experience our unique community pharmacy experience,” Alto’s Recruiting Manager Lauren Binet said. “That potential for impact is incredibly motivating.”

As our geographic footprint has grown, so has our team. In the past two years alone, we’ve quadruped our team to more than 1,000 Altoids!

View open roles in design, engineering, IT, sales, patient care, and more.

About Great Place to Work Certification™

Great Place to Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place to Work-Certified.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with egg freezing, but thankfully there are individuals on the other side of it who are willing to share their experience. Read on to hear what egg freezing was like for two members of our team.

Two Women Share Their Egg Freezing Journeys

It would be a serious understatement to say that we are living in uncertain times. For those interested in parenthood, the unpredictability of COVID has, in some cases, delayed starting a family. It’s no surprise, then, that more and more people are now considering egg freezing, a process that allows you to freeze unfertilized eggs, store for future (or later) use, and leave open the possibility of starting a family in the future. 

And with ample room for reflection and planning, not to mention work-from-home arrangements conducive to frequent doctor’s appointments, the pandemic has proven to be a convenient time to start the process. Clinics across the country saw a significant uptick in egg freezing during 2020. 

While egg freezing can be an empowering process that provides otherwise hard-to-find control over your future, it’s also a significant emotional and financial investment, with an intensive medication schedule, too. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to expect, but thankfully there’s lots of individuals on the other side of it who are willing to share their experience. Read on to hear what egg freezing was like for two members of our team, and view our previous post on egg freezing and IVF for an overview of the process.

“It was always in the back of my head, and now I have the relief of knowing I’m preserving multiple options for the future.”

Grace, 27, a provider success specialist on Alto’s fertility team, knows firsthand how convenient it is to work from home while going through the process of freezing your eggs. “The pandemic was actually a great time to do it,” she says. “It was a lot more manageable to do the injections at home and be uncomfortable and bloated in my own space rather than at the office.”

Grace’s professional background in fertility motivated her to reflect on her own reproductive goals. She knew she always wanted kids, but since she didn’t see herself starting a family in the near future, egg freezing felt like an appropriate next step in her journey. 

Grace first started the process at 24, taking an AMH blood test to learn more about her egg count. She had fewer eggs in her ovarian reserve than the average for her age. After completing two egg freezing cycles in January and April of this year, she did not retrieve the minimum number of eggs she was aiming for and thus plans to do a third cycle to reach her goal of at least ten frozen eggs.

While the outcome isn’t what she had hoped for, she’s grateful that the test helped manage expectations, and to have learned earlier rather than later that her fertility journey will involve multiple rounds of egg freezing.

“After the AMH, I wasn’t sure if this would even work for me,” she says. “The results from the retrievals are better than nothing, and I’m really grateful I found out at age 26 and not at 30.”

Here’s more about Grace’s egg freezing journey, in her own words.

What was your experience of the egg retrieval like?

Grace: In my experience, the retrieval itself was actually the least intimidating part. By that point, your body has already done everything it needs to do. All that’s left is showing up for the quick procedure, which takes twenty to thirty minutes. It was all out of my hands so I tried my best to just relax. Because of COVID, no one else could come with me, which isn’t usually the case. Fortunately I had the added comfort of working with doctors I already knew since I completed the process at the clinic where I was working at the time.

What was the hardest part of the process?

Grace: For me, it was getting the numbers back after the first retrieval and learning that there weren’t as many eggs as everyone expected for my age — I got a total of nine eggs from my first two rounds combined and the typical range for a woman my age is fifteen or more. I’ll have to go through the process again if I want to reach a goal of a certain number of eggs for the future; generally the target is at least ten frozen eggs. 

It can feel isolating to have a low egg count if you know other people who went through the process and had a different outcome, like I did, which can feel as if your body isn’t working the way it’s supposed to. As disappointing as it is, at least I have this information early so I’m able to plan for other options.

What do you wish others knew about egg freezing?

Grace: I wish more women knew about the AMH test — which tells you the number of remaining eggs in your ovaries — and the importance of getting tested as early as possible. Knowledge is power. No one expects to have low numbers. From both my own journey and my work with lots of patients over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating it can be to get this information when you're ready to start a family, at which point it may or may not be too late. 

The earlier you know your fertility status, the better. That way you can make an informed decision and plan ahead.

Grace: Candles and music got me into a calm headspace before the injections, when my anxiety would spike. Also, honoring what my body was telling me, taking naps when needed, and talking to coworkers who had gone through the process.

Why did you choose Alto for your fertility pharmacy?

Grace: Egg freezing medications can change on the day of a doctor’s appointment depending on ultrasound results, so being able to schedule same-day delivery, even on weekends, without paying extra was really important. It gave me greater peace of mind during what can be a stressful process.

And even though I worked in the field and was familiar with the process, Alto’s injection videos were so helpful, and the reassurance of knowing I could reach out to a pharmacist for support at any time made the whole experience more manageable.

“I wanted a safety net, and this was one thing I did have control over. It was a decision that was only mine to make.”

For Jess, 36, another member of our fertility team, turning 35 was the final push to move forward with egg freezing. “It was always in the back of my mind, but then other life events kept taking precedence and before I knew it, time was running out to make it worth the investment,” she says.

Since the idea of starting a family soon was unpredictable, she decided it was the right time to start the egg freezing process. It didn’t hurt that the experience would double as some user research, as she explains, “I was familiar with the pharmacy aspect of egg freezing through my work, but I wanted to understand the personal experience of actually going through the process.”

Although she completed her egg freezing cycle before the pandemic, she understands how empowering it is to be able to take your future into your own hands, something that’s taken on new importance over the past year. “I realized I couldn’t rely on a partner to be the person I’d start a family with,” she says. “This felt like the one thing I did have some control over.”

The retrieval went smoothly, yielding more eggs than expected, but Jess, who has also considered adoption, is still keeping her options open. For her, that’s one of the biggest benefits of egg freezing: not having to make any immediate decisions about parenthood, but knowing that there’s multiple possibilities still on the table. Below, Jess shares more about her experience with the process.

Jess: There were some delays and the retrieval date got pushed back a few times. I went in on the weekend, and it wasn’t my regular doctor, but I felt confident in my clinical team based on past conversations. I had some complications with blood pressure, but in general the process went well. I ended up with more eggs than expected.

I remember feeling alone afterwards and wanting to sleep all day, but I ended up meeting a friend at the beach, which lifted my spirits. Egg freezing is such an interesting experience because it’s super emotional for two weeks leading up to the retrieval and then it’s just done.

Jess: It’s a really emotionally intense process to navigate on your own. I was thankful to have coworkers who’d been through it to talk to. The delays were hard, too. There was one day when I had to get my blood drawn and it just wasn’t happening even after five tries. By the end, it felt like waiting itself had become such a big part of the process.

Jess: With egg freezing, medication can be complicated. The specific dosages can change based on hormone levels, which are measured through bloodwork and ultrasounds. It’s not uncommon for your doctor to change a prescription the day of an appointment, so if you get all the prescriptions filled ahead of time, there’s a chance some of the medications may not be used. If you use a pharmacy that manages your deliveries as you confirm you need the medications and offers same-day delivery, like at Alto, you can save a lot of money and avoid wasting the medication.

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