Dr. Ric Pierce, MD

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Get to Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Specialist Dr. Ric Pierce, who serves patients in New Haven, Connecticut.

A top professional in the field of pediatric critical care medicine, Dr. Pierce tends to patients at the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital in Connecticut. 

Specializing in the delicate art of healing the most vulnerable among us, he finds profound fulfillment in witnessing the transformation of once critically ill children into vibrant, smiling beings leaving the hospital clutching toys.

Reflecting on his profession, Dr. Pierce emphasizes the unique challenges and rewards inherent in pediatric critical care. Unlike adult medicine, the realm of pediatric care presents a diverse array of genetic diseases and physiological intricacies that demand a specialized understanding. He says “Children may have genetic diseases that adult doctors don’t encounter frequently, and they have different organ function parameters adult doctors may not be familiar with.”

Originally from the Midwest, he completed his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College before delving into the intricacies of organic chemistry, earning a Master of Science degree. He then went on to graduate with his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and honed his skills during a residency in pediatrics at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, paving the path towards his fellowship in pediatric critical care at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

An authority in his field, the doctor is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The mission of the ABP is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

In addition to his clinical role, Dr. Pierce serves as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Critical Care); Associate Program Director for Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship; and Co-Director of the Mentored Clinical Experience in the Medical Research Training Program at the Yale School of Medicine, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future generation of pediatric care providers. He is also involved in basic and translational vascular biology research projects, shedding light on novel approaches to treatment.

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends individuals be under pediatric care up to the age of 21. Pediatric critical care specialists treat children from birth through the teen years. They choose to make caring for children who are very sick the core of their medical practice. Their advanced training and experience prepare them to give children in PICUs the unique medical care that they need.

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