Planned Parenthood of Texas Capital Region Announces New Medical Director

Austin, Texas – Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region announces the appointment of a new full-time Medical Director.  Dr. Scott J. Spear, M.D., F.A.A.P., a graduate of the University of Texas and Baylor College of Medicine, has a fellowship in Adolescent Medicine and is recognized nationally as a leading physician in reproductive health care.

Prior to accepting the position in Austin, Dr. Spear served as Medical Director for Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.  Dr. Spear serves nationally on the Guttmacher Institute Board of Directors and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals’ Board of Directors.

Dr. Spear has served on the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) Board and is a past Chair of the PPFA National Medical Committee.   He has been involved in health care delivery and oversight since the early 1980s.  His extensive experience working locally and nationally with Planned Parenthood will prove invaluable as Planned Parenthood expands to meet the growing health care needs of the Austin community in the years ahead.

Dr. Diana Weihs, M.D.,  of Women Partners in Health, graciously served as Interim Medical Director, donating her time and medical expertise, prior to Dr. Spear’s relocation to Austin.  Dr. Spear was selected to replace the position filled by Dr. Robert Sorin, M.D., following his resignation after 9 years of service as Planned Parenthood’s  Medical Director.

Planned Parenthood has been Austin’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care since 1938.  Today, Planned Parenthood serves more than 26,000 clients annually, the majority of whom are uninsured or underinsured, live paycheck to paycheck, and pay cash for their health care. Last year, Planned Parenthood provided breast cancer screenings for 4,946 clients; pap tests to screen for cervical cancer for 4,926 clients; birth control for 22,361 clients; testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for 4,510 clients; HIV testing for 4,148 clients; and much more.

“In our 70th year in Austin, Planned Parenthood is poised for expansion and growth in the coming years. With Dr. Spear’s expertise in reproductive health care and adolescent medicine, Planned Parenthood will be able to expand to provide high-quality, affordable health care to additional uninsured and underinsured men, women, and adolescents in Central Texas,” said Ken Lambrecht, CEO.

Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading and most trusted sexual and reproductive health care provider. Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region's three non-profit clinics in Austin  provide high-quality reproductive and preventive health care to more than 26,000 Central Texans each year.