On behalf of Dan E. Berkowitz, MB BCh:

Announcement: Dr. Albert Pierce appointed Interim Vice Chair and Director of the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesia in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the appointment of Albert Pierce, M.D., to the position of Interim Vice Chair and Director of the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesia.

Dr. Pierce completed his medical degree and residency training here at UAB. He joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2000 and worked his way through the ranks to be promoted to Full Professor last year.

Dr. Pierce’s ongoing commitment to the Department has been outstanding. As the Associate Division Director for the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesia, he has helped lead and coordinate a large and diverse group of clinicians in a complex OR system in multiple sites, all while maintaining faculty engagement and professional development. He has continued to assist in recruiting and retaining the highest caliber clinicians. He has also been instrumental in the implementation of quality improvement projects to standardize and enhance perioperative care through the development of evidence-based patient care pathways. Dr. Pierce’s national and international reputation has been enhanced through his interest in Trauma Anesthesia, as he was instrumental in founding the Trauma Anesthesiology Society and in chairing its annual meeting committee. Moreover, he was responsible for initiating and developing the curriculum for our UAB Trauma and Acute Care fellowship. Dr. Pierce is beloved by the residents and has been voted Teacher of the Year on five occasions. More importantly, he is respected as one of the most outstanding clinicians in the broader sense. His professionalism, empathy, and integrity are widely recognized, and his caring and communicative leadership style is greatly appreciated by the groups he has led.

In his new role, Dr. Pierce will work with myself, Executive Vice Chair Dr. Juhan Paiste, and our team to lead the division as it continues to grow. His empathetic, selfless, and serving leadership style will, I know, inspire confidence in our faculty, as UAB continues to absorb continued strategic institutional growth. His commitment to teaching and scholarship will be vital in helping us to integrate and fulfill all of the academic missions in our Department. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Pierce on his appointment to our Department’s leadership team.