Laura Ernst graduated the University of South Carolina in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science – Athletic Training. She became a Certified Athletic Trainer and worked at a local high school as both the ATC and the Sports Medicine Teacher. During that time, her interactions with her supervising physician and his Physician Assistant, inspired her to go to Physician Assistant school. Laura worked at Palmetto Richland (now Prisma) hospital as a Patient Care Associate in the Level 1 Trauma Center/Emergency Department as she went back to UofSC to complete her prerequisites. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina Physician Assistant Program and graduated in 2007. She has since worked in the Emergency Department and for the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson for the last 10 years. She has been the Director of Clinical Education at the UofSC SOM PA Program since 2019. She graduated with her Masters in Adult and Higher Education in December 2019.

On Laura’s spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and boyfriend. She also has 2 cats that are spoiled rotten! Whenever possible, she goes to Disney World once or twice a year. Her interests include: Gamecock sports, history, architecture, traveling and gardening.