Jessica S. LaCross, M.S. ’02, PA‑C, has dedicated her 22-year career to the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, serving patients at Ben Taub Hospital. She is an assistant professor in the Division of Trauma, Bariatric and Acute Care Surgery in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. Her connection to Ben Taub began during her emergency medicine rotation as a PA student, where she quickly recognized that the fast pace and clinical intensity of the hospital lent an opportunity for her to assist patients with her unique skillset. What began as a strong starting point for her career has evolved into a decades-long commitment to serving some of the most complex surgical patients in the Houston community.
In 2003, Ms. LaCross became the first physician assistant on a general surgery service at Ben Taub. Her role was created to provide continuity of care, particularly for elective and cancer surgery patients, amid frequent rotations of residents and faculty. Over time, that position grew into a pivotal role within a high-performing surgical oncology service that delivers multidisciplinary, compassionate care to patients with advanced diseases. She plays a critical part in helping patients understand their diagnoses, treatment options and care pathways from diagnosis through survivorship.
In addition to her clinical work, Ms. LaCross is a committed educator and mentor. She has trained and guided many Baylor College of Medicine PA students who rotate through her service, earning consistent praise for the team’s welcoming and high-quality learning environment. Students often highlight how valuable it is to see a PA integrated so seamlessly into a collaborative surgical team. Her work exemplifies the ideal physician-PA partnership—built on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellent patient care.
Ms. LaCross is continually inspired by her colleagues at Baylor and Ben Taub, whose shared mission and dedication to service fuel her own professional purpose. For her, Ben Taub is more than just a workplace—it is where she feels most empowered to make a meaningful difference.
