For Ava Pierce, M.D., Professor of Emergency Medicine, helping medical students, residents, and junior faculty accomplish their objectives is one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

“Watching learners grow in confidence, develop their clinical skills, and achieve their goals is one of the greatest privileges of academic medicine,” she said.

Also important is community outreach because emergency physicians often see firsthand the challenges that affect health and access to care, she said.

“We care for patients who may face barriers related to education, transportation, housing, preventive healthcare, and access to resources,” said Dr. Pierce, who works as an attending physician in the Emergency Department at Parkland Health. “Engaging with our communities outside the Emergency Department allows us to build partnerships, provide education, promote prevention, and support initiatives that help reduce health disparities and improve long-term health outcomes.”

In honor of her dedication, Dr. Pierce has been selected for the 2026 Sheryl Heron, MD, MPH Legacy Award from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). Dr. Heron is a nationally recognized leader in emergency medicine at Emory University.

“What makes this award particularly special is its emphasis on scholarship, mentorship, and leadership – all qualities that Dr. Heron exemplified throughout her career,” Dr. Pierce said. “She was my first emergency medicine mentor, and I had the privilege of being a member of her first class of emergency medicine residents. Through her mentorship, I learned the importance of investing in others, creating opportunities for learners to succeed, and fostering environments where individuals can reach their full potential.”

Dr. Pierce has also been elected SAEM President-Elect for 2026-27 and will assume the role of President for the 2027-28 term.

“The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine is dedicated to the improvement of care of the acutely ill and injured patient by improving research and education. To achieve this mission, SAEM influences health policy through forums, publications, interorganizational collaboration, policy development, and consultation services for physicians, teachers, researchers, and students,” she said.

After receiving her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine at Shreveport, Dr. Pierce completed her emergency medicine residency at Emory University School of Medicine. She also completed the Medical Education Research Certificate at the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine. She joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2005 and focuses her research on medical education, health equity, and cardiac resuscitation.

As Associate Vice Chair of Outreach and Engagement in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Pierce helped create a visiting elective program that provides mentorship for fourth-year medical students interested in working with an underserved patient population and completing their graduate medical education in emergency medicine (EM) at UTSW.

She also serves as Chair of the Medical School Admissions Committee and as the UTSW Council Alternate for the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), an undergraduate pipeline initiative created by the Texas Legislature to close the gaps between participation and success for economically disadvantaged Texans pursuing their dream of becoming a doctor.

In addition, Dr. Pierce was instrumental in developing UTSW’s partnership with three other emergency medicine programs to develop curriculum for EM-bound Howard University fourth-year medical students lacking access to a home EM academic program.

Dr. Pierce said she was initially attracted to EM’s breadth, fast pace, and the challenge of evaluating a wide range of conditions.

“No two shifts are the same, and I continue to value the variety, teamwork, and problem-solving that the specialty offers,” she said. “I enjoy working alongside dedicated colleagues to provide high-quality care and advocate for patients when they need it most.”