Ava E. Pierce, MD

It has truly been a privilege to serve on the SAEM Board of Directors, collaborating on initiatives that advance academic emergency medicine and create meaningful impact for our members. I would be honored to continue this work as SAEM President-Elect.

I earned my medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport and completed my emergency medicine residency at Emory University. I am currently a Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where I serve as Associate Vice Chair of Outreach and Engagement, Director of the EM Research Associate Program, and Co-Director of the Joint Admission Medical Program.

My service on the SAEM Board has provided opportunities to engage across multiple platforms. As Secretary-Treasurer, I have served on the Finance Committee, SAEM Foundation, ACGME Task Force, and represented SAEM in the All EM Match Task Force. I served five years as a SAEM BOD Member-at-Large and have served on the Membership, Ethics, Wellness, and Faculty Development Committees. I am a former ADIEM President and have collaborated with AWAEM, CDEM, and AGEM.

SAEM has profoundly shaped my professional growth, and serving on the Board has allowed me to support the development of academic EM faculty, residents, and students. As President-Elect, I will champion initiatives that expand resources for emergency medicine educators and strengthen support for EM research through increased grant opportunities through SAEMF and collaborating with the SAEM Federal Funding Committee. I will also focus on enhancing pathways for academic EM careers, promoting effective AI integration, and implementing programs that foster professional wellbeing and growth for learners and faculty alike.

Despite the challenges facing medicine, I remain deeply committed to advancing SAEM’s mission and ensuring our members have the tools and resources to thrive. It would be an honor to continue serving this organization that has been so integral to my career.