David Pierce, M.D., Buffalo General Hospital Emergency Medicine Attending, has been chosen to teach a course at the Harvard Macy Institute in Boston, MA in 2009.

Dr. Pierce submitted an educational project to the Innovations In Healthcare and Education Course in 2008, which was accepted—an honor only given to 30 program applicants annually.  After his participation in the course last year, Dr. Pierce was invited to return as a teaching faculty member for the course in 2009. 

“Until recently, it never occurred to me that my contribution to this world may be as that of a teacher,” said Dr. Pierce. “I now seek every opportunity to teach medical students and residents. I’ve believe strongly that being a physician is not merely an occupation, but a commitment to a life of learning and compassion.”

The formal curriculum Dr. Pierce will be teaching is designed to assist participants in developing their own strategies for leading change in their institutions. Using classic management studies and case studies of healthcare education reform, participants analyze the interlocking elements of change strategies, including defining and balancing educational and other school missions, assessing an institution's structure, culture and readiness for change, and responding to changes in health care delivery systems.

Currently, Dr. Pierce also serves on the faculty at SUNY Buffalo as assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine; director, medical student education and is responsible for the clinical education of its emergency medicine residents, medical students, and off-service rotators within the Emergency Department.

He has been awarded several commendations for teaching excellence from SUNY Buffalo, is involved in several research projects and is writing a book on upper extremity trauma. Dr. Pierce is also the recipient of a grant for cardiac research and a past winner of the National Clinical Pathological Case Lecturing Competition in Emergency Medicine.

Established with a grant from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, the Harvard Macy Institute is a collaborative effort of Harvard Medical School, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Business School. Preeminent Harvard faculty members like Dr. Elizabeth Armstrong (HMS), Dr. Clay Christensen (HBS), and Dr. Robert Kegan (HGSE) work with colleagues from leading institutions around the world to design and implement the programs. Many program alumni return to the Institute to serve as faculty.