Bess Pierce inducted as a fellow of the Veterinary Medicine Academy

Pierce’s work in rehabilitation, teaching and team-based care is earning national recognition and shaping how the next generation of veterinarians thinks about outcomes.

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Bess Pierce
Bess J. Pierce, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVIM, DACVSMR

Story contact: Deidra Ashley, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu

Bess J. Pierce, DVM, MS, DABVP, DACVIM, DACVSMR, a teaching professor and section head of small animal sports medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, has been inducted as a fellow of the Veterinary Medicine Academy of the National Academies of Practice. The honor recognizes leaders who advance interprofessional, team-based care and improve outcomes across human and animal health.

At Mizzou, Pierce’s work sits at the intersection of clinical care, performance medicine and rehabilitation, helping patients regain mobility and quality of life while preparing students to think beyond immediate treatment to long-term outcomes. Her approach reflects the collaboration and real-world training that define the college’s One Health mission.

Before joining Mizzou in 2022, Pierce held faculty roles at Lincoln Memorial University, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania’s Working Dog Center. She also served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, retiring at the rank of Colonel following 30 years of service in assignments worldwide. These experiences continue to shape her leadership and commitment to service.

Pierce is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. In 2015, she was named the American Veterinary Medical Association Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year.

“Bess Pierce’s leadership built the foundation for sports medicine and rehabilitation at Mizzou, reshaping how we teach movement, function and long-term wellness,” said John Dodam, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVAA, hospital director and chair of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. “Her innovative approach brings anatomy, pain management and musculoskeletal physiology into the clinical years while expanding training in kinesiology and performance medicine, areas often overlooked in traditional curricula. This recognition reflects not only her national impact, but the lasting legacy she is creating for our students and patients.”