Laurel Spence is a board certified and licensed Physician Assistant who recently joined the Complete Women’s Care Center team of practitioners. She is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and has practiced obstetrics and gynecology in a variety of private practice settings across the Houston area.

Laurel graduated summa cum laude from Texas Tech University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She continued her education at Baylor College of Medicine as one of a select group of students chosen for admission into the first clinical doctorate program in audiology in 1994. After several years of study, Laurel transferred into the Physician Assistant Program at Baylor College of Medicine from which she graduated in 1999 with a Master of Science.

Laurel became the Women’s Health Coordinator for the Physician Assistant Program at Baylor College of Medicine in 2005. She also serves as Co-Coordinator for the Physician Assistant Cancer Education project, funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute. In recognition of her outstanding teaching activities at Baylor College of Medicine, Laurel was selected by the students to receive the 2007 Excellence in Teaching Award. She was the recipient of the Rising Star Award from the Physician Assistant Education Association in 2009 for demonstrated accomplishments in teaching, research and professional service.

Laurel practices with Dr. Beard seeing both obstetric and gynecologic patients, performing well-woman exams and evaluating patients during problem visits. She is in the office on Thursdays and is available for early morning appointments beginning at 7:30 a.m. She is available for urgent same-day visits and is also trained in ultrasound. Patients coming to Dr. Beard for their first pregnancy visit meet with Laurel for their initial consultation, exam, screening labs and ultrasound.

Laurel spends most of her non-working hours with her three amazing daughters either at the dance studio, cello lessons, playing outside or helping them complete homework. She also enjoys running, reading and spending time with family and friends.