Laurel Herbst, MD is the Vice President for Medical Affairs, San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care, where she began serving as the first Medical Director in 1978. She holds an appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. She received the first Robert T. Angarola award for excellence in pain management and the Sarnat Distinguished Humanitarian award. She is a noted teacher and speaker on pain management and palliative care locally, nationally and internationally. She is a founding member and past president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is a frequent lecturer about hospice and palliative care.

Laurel received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1965. She received her medical degree from USC in 1969. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at USC and a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at San Francisco Veterans Administration Hospital in 1975. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Hematology, and the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.