WBAMC surgeon wins international Top Gun competition

By Virginia RezaMay 7, 2015

Trophy, Dr. Pierce
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. (Capt.) Gregory Pierce, a fourth year surgical resident at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, shows off his Top Gun trophy Tuesday. He won the prestigious trophy during the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons internati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Surgery, Dr. Gregory Pierce
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From right, Dr. (Capt.) Gregory Pierce, a fourth year surgical resident at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, and Dr. (Maj.) Danielle Holt, chief of General Surgery at WBAMC, look for a patient's tumor, during a minimal invasive surgical procedure... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Dr. (Capt.) Gregory Pierce, a fourth year surgical resident at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, took first in the Top Gun Laparoscopic Skills competition at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons conference held at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, April 15-18.

The yearly conference attracts more than 2,000 top surgeons worldwide, and only the very skilled attempt a shot at the Top Gun trophy. The Laparoscopic Skills competition involved intellectual activity, surgical decision-making, technical skills and speed.

"Doctor Pierce is an up and coming star," said Dr. (Maj.) Eric Ahnfeldt, Program Director for the General Surgery Residency at WBAMC. "He is not even a chief resident yet and he's won for the last three years," referring to their yearly local Top Gun competitions organized by WBAMC Department of Surgery staff.

The local competition, which started out as a game to motivate residents to practice, has turned into the WBAMC Surgeon's March Madness. This year, to make the friendly local contest more competitive and fun, their champion was sent to Nashville to compete internationally. Pierce brought home the trophy and the bragging rights that go with it.

"This shows Doctor Pierce's innate technical abilities and giftedness to be a surgeon," said Ahnfeldt. "He is the guy you want to go to, if you need surgery. He is the one everyone wants on his team."

Pierce, a "compassionate surgeon" as Ahnfeldt described him, is a Utah native and the youngest of five children.

At a young age, Pierce aspired to become an ophthalmologist due to his poor vision and frequent visits to the eye doctor. While in high school, he was leaning towards emergency room physician, but when he got to medical school, he decided surgery was his calling.

Pierce rotated as a medical student at WBAMC and was glad to hear his first choice for residency at Beaumont, was accepted.

"I think (the surgeons here) take pride in their work," said Pierce. "They are excellent teachers and if I had to do it again, I would come back to Beaumont for my surgical education. This is a great place to improve our surgical skills, as there numerous surgical cases."

Pierce joined the military to serve his country, to help pay for medical school and because his father was in the military.

He said, his biggest challenge is balancing being a surgeon, a husband, a father, a member of the church and a Soldier in the Army.

"I feel like sometimes I'm mediocre at everything, but not great at anything because it's hard to dedicate all my time to one specific thing," said Pierce. "So I just have to get by being good at all."

Pierce enjoys working with patients and his biggest reward, is making them well. His advice for patients is "don't drink, don't smoke and eat healthy."

He likes Latin music and he speaks Spanish. He learned the language in Venezuela, where he spent two years as a missionary.

Pierce said the more time he spends in El Paso, the more he enjoys it. He particularly likes the smaller big city ambiance, the weather and the Latin culture.

Pierce's motto derives from his father's advice, "Have perspective, don't get overwhelmed, keep on moving along and take life one day at a time."

Future plans for Pierce include a minimal invasive fellowship, which involves abundant hours of laparoscopic and robotic surgery. He said minimal invasive surgery is fun, less painful for patients, speedier recovery and is the future for surgical procedures.

"That is a great accomplishment," said Ahnfeldt. "I'm really proud of him."

Related Links:

Fort Bliss Bugle