“I believe that communication is the key to an effective physician-patient relationship.”
Spencer Berthelsen, M.D. joined Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in 1980. He is the Chairman of the Board of Managers and maintains a general Internal Medicine practice at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Fort Bend Medical and Diagnostic Center.
Professional Background
Dr. Berthelsen is a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He received his medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Shortly after completing his residency in Internal Medicine at The University of California at San Diego, he began practicing at Kelsey-Seybold.
Clinical Position
Dr. Berthelsen has served in various leadership capacities within Kelsey-Seybold including Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Director for Primary Care, and Medical Director for Managed Care.
His responsibilities have included medical liaison with affiliated health plans, utilization management, clinical practice guideline development and physician education regarding managed care.
Academic Position
When he's not managing the care of patients at Kelsey-Seybold, Dr. Berthelsen teaches future physicians. He is a clinical professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and a recipient of the prestigious Texas Laureate Award from the Texas Academy of Internal Medicine.
Professional Associations
Dr. Berthelsen has also served as chairman of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Legislation. Dr. Berthelsen is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the Harris County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association, the American College of Physician Executives and the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
He has served on the Board and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas Society of Internal Medicine. He is the past president of Texas Academy of Internal Medicine Services, the advocacy arm of the academy. Dr. Berthelsen has served as the Secretary-Treasurer and President for the Texas Club of Internists.