By Kristy Warren
With her passion for rural healthcare, certified physician assistant Mandy Spencer has found her perfect fit with the Westfield Laurel Health Center. Raised locally in Coudersport, she wanted to give back to rural communities and build the same life-long relationships she cherished with her family medicine providers growing up.
Mandy will be seeing patients of all ages at the Westfield Laurel Health Center, located at 236 East Main St in Westfield, PA. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA then went on to serve as a physician assistant in the Army National Guard.
Mandy brings years of in-depth clinical experience in a wide range of specialties, including cardiovascular surgery, inpatient hospitalist care, orthopedics, general surgery, and occupational medicine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Join us as we welcome Mandy to the Laurel Health team and learn more about her approach to family medicine and wellness in the short video feature below:
A PASSION FOR RURAL MEDICINE
Following her time as a certified physician in the Army National Guard, Mandy knew she wanted to return to a small town close-to-home to continue her medical career. Mandy Spencer has found her perfect fit with the Westfield Laurel Health Center.
“What first drew me to medicine was studying the fascinating ways our bodies work and how everything in our lives, be it physical conditions or human behaviors, come together to determine our health and wellness,” explains Mandy.
“What’s so wonderful about family medicine, especially in rural areas, is that you build long-term, trusted patient-provider relationships where you treat everything. You aren’t just focusing on a specific area of the body like the heart or lungs. Instead, you take a holistic approach to care where you look closely at how all these factors affect one another and assure you’re treating the entire person to meet their physical, mental, social, and emotional health needs.”
SMALL-TOWN RELATIONSHIPS, EXPERT CARE
Mandy knew she wanted to practice medicine in a small town where she could really connect with every one of her patients. “There’s just something special about living in a small town where you really connect with and know the people. Everyone looks out for each other, and you really get to know and trust one another on a deeper level.”
She is particularly excited to provide patient outreach and wellness education. “One of the things I’m most passionate about in medicine is education—I love talking with patients about their health, listening to what they’re experiencing, and answering questions without the complicated medical jargon so that patients can more easily understand. Healthcare is complex, and sometimes people struggle with that, so I always take time to explain what’s going on and what to expect from treatment as well as helping patients become more empowered and proactive about what they can do to improve their health.”
Mandy Spencer, PA-C is accepting NEW patients of all ages at the Westfield Laurel Health Center. To make an appointment, call 814-367-5911.
The Laurel Health Centers offer comprehensive family medicine, wellness, acute care, and specialty services, including chronic condition management, chiropractic care, mental / behavioral health, dental services, pediatrics, and women's health. Visit our family medicine and specialty care page to learn more about our services.