Vicki L. Schnell, M.D.

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Beaumont Location Beaumont, TX
Clear Lake Location Clear Lake, TX
Schedule Appointment or 281-305-0194
Patient Testimonial
We have 2 beautiful babies thanks to the persistent efforts of Dr. Schnell.

Dr. Schnell was able to find out what was wrong with me and was able to fix it when other doctors couldn’t, for so many years. Now my pain is gone & we are pregnant!

Biography

Vicki L. Schnell, M.D., FACOG, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. It was during this time that Dr. Schnell worked in REI clinical research, exploring the early stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Her research experience inspired Dr. Schnell to dedicate her career to REI patients and their medical care.     

Dr. Schnell remained at Baylor University to complete her residency in OB/GYN. Dr. Schnell furthered her training by completing her fellowship in REI at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In 1994, Dr. Schnell founded the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM), soon to become Shady Grove Fertility Houston, that has supported the family-building goals of more than 20,000 patients. In addition to providing patient care, Dr. Schnell works as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston Branch.  

Dr. Schnell is goal-focused and dedicated to helping patients achieve a successful pregnancy. She supports patients throughout their journey by providing compassionate fertility care paired with the latest research in reproductive medicine. Dr. Schnell is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Texas Medical Association. She has published abstracts and papers on topics including in vitro fertilization, ovarian stimulation, and endometriosis.  

Dr. Schnell currently provides patient care at the Clear Lake, Houston, and Beaumont offices.  In her spare time, Dr. Schnell enjoys being out in nature with friends, taking cooking classes with her husband, and spending time with her family and two rescue dogs.  

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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 
  • Super Doctor, Texas Monthly (2004 – 2024)
  • Phi Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society   
  • Brown Service Award, Rice University   
  • Honors in Clinical Endocrinology, High Risk Obstetrics, Reproductive   
  • Endocrinology, Clinical Pathology & Radiology 
  • American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology  
  • American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine 
  • American Medical Association 
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine  
  • Harris County Medical Society 
  • Society of Assisted Reproductive Endocrinology 
  • Texas Medical Association 
  • Baker VL, Glassner MJ, Doody K, Schnell VL, Gracia C, Shin SS, Behera MA, LeSaint SM, Alper MM, Pavone ME, Abella EA, Coddington CC, Marshall LA, Feinberg RF, Cooper AR, Straseski JA, and Broyles DL: Validation study of the Access AMH antimullerian hormone assay for the prediction of poor ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation: Fertil Steril. March 31, 2021 
  • Baker VL, Gracia C, Glassner MJ, Schnell VL, Doody K, Coddington CC, Shin SS, Marshall LA, Alper MM, Morales AJ, Pavone ME, Behera MA, Zbella EA, Shapiro BS, Straseski JA, Broyles DL.: Multicenter evaluation of the Access AMH antimüllerian hormone assay for the prediction of antral follicle count and poor ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation.: Fertil Steril. 2018 Aug;110(3):506-513.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.03.031. Epub 2018 Jun 28.PMID: 29960708 ayal MB, O’Hern CB. Ovotestis. eMedicine for WedMD. December 2009. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/256289-overview. 
  • Schnell V, Keye WR Jr, Marrs RP, Check JH, Surrey M, Marshall DC; Embrace Study Group.: Evaluation of mixed protocols with Bravelle (human-derived FSH) and Repronex (hMG) to assess clinical efficacy (EMBRACE) in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.: Fertil Steril. 2004 Aug; 82(2):348-57.   
  • Schnell VL, Doody KJ, Foulk RA, Miller CE, Kolb BA, Blake EJ, Yankov VI.: Endometrin for luteal phase support in a randomized, controlled, open-label, prospective in-vitro fertilization trial using a combination of Menopur and Bravelle for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: Fertil Steril. 2009 Apr; 91(4): 112-7. Epub 2008 Apr18. 
  • Schnell, V.L., Nagamani M., Yallampalli C.:  Insulin-like growth factor I binding is elevated in GnRH agonist treated uterine leiomyoma.  Am J Obstet Gynecol, accepted with revisions. 
  • Schnell V.L., Yandell, R.B., Van Zandt S., Dinh T.V.: Enterobius vermicularis salpingitis: Distant episode form precipitating appendicitis, Obstet Gynecol 80:553555, 1992. 
  • Schnell, V.L., Ataya K., Moore, R., Sacco A.: Bupivicaine is less toxic than Lidocaine and Chloroprocaine in the mouse in vitro fertilization system, Reprod Toxicol 6:323-327, 1992. 
  • Poindexter A.N. III, Schnell, V.L.:  Abortion seeking behavior among low-income women: Comparison of public surveys and group behavior.  Public Health, London 96:328-333, 1982. 

Q&A

As a medical student at Baylor College of Medicine I needed to take a break to work to fund my further education. I was able to find a 3-month position working with Dr Alfred Poindexter in Reproductive Endocrinology clinical research.  This was in the early stages of IVF. I was inspired to dedicate my future medical career to these patients and their medical care.  

I am proud that SGF provides the highest quality of care to all patients. It is also inspiring to work with a national and international large group of IVF centers that supports the clinic, IVF/andrology lab and administrative staff from the top to the newly employed.   

We never know the infertility journey that patients will need to achieve a successful pregnancy. Many patients must advance to donor egg and/or a gestational carrier to have a baby. It is inspiring to help these very difficult cases walk the journey into 3rd party and share when they are so happy  to have their baby. The Journey may be long for these patients, but the joy is the same.  

The main two groups of difficult patients are those that do not achieve a successful pregnancy despite all traditional therapy options such as IUI and IVF and then there are patients that do not have the financial resources to do the therapy plan ( IUI  or IVF ) that they need.  Patients that need to pursue donor egg and/or gestational carrier require additional support through psychology consultation to decide if highly successful 3rd party treatment plans are something they can pursue.   It is also difficult to help patients in Texas where IVF is not a mandated insurance benefit. We try to use all medical care options to address underlying medical or gynecologic issues. We also support payment plans and shared risk for these patients. 

Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones 

Dr. Alfred Poindexter III 

Martin Luther King , Jr 

John Muir 

Compassionate and caring. However, I am very goal focused on achieving a successful pregnancy for my patients and not pursing medical treatments that have very low potential to result in a successful pregnancy. 

Building the best IVF and infertility care center in Texas. We can achieve this by supporting the growth and future of our physicians, embryologists, nursing staff, lab and administrative staff. Also working with SGF and US Fertility will make this bucket list goal a reality.  

Cycling- I enjoy being out in nature and spending time with friends.  

Cooking – I and my husband go to lots of cooking classes.  

Dogs- I love my rescue dogs! 

Family- It is wonderful to go skiing, hiking, kayaking, game playing with family and friends! 

  1. Sleep, cycling, cooking, concerts 
  1. Volunteering to fight global warming 
  1. Spanish class  

2024 Shady Grove Fertility

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