Angela N. Pierce

Angela N. Pierce, DC, PhD serves as the Assistant Dean of Whole Health Integration for Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. In this role, Pierce leads the development of curriculum surrounding whole health principles, self-care, and student-led whole health innovation projects. Dr. Pierce will work closely with the other curricular leaders to integrate whole health principles into clinical settings, health-system science education, community-health, medical humanities, and the art of medicine. Dr. Pierce will additionally serve as an Associate Professor in the School of Medicine. 

Prior to this role, Pierce was a part of the executive leadership team at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. As a member of the Department of Curriculum and Integrated Learning, she served in various administrative directorships spanning assessment, curriculum, and student success. She is a Harvard-Macy Institute Health Professions Education Scholar and has completed national Fellowships in science policy and advocacy. 

Pierce is also a Chiropractic Physician and physiotherapist with expertise in the management of chronic pain through techniques involving manipulation, mobility, and exercise, integrating mind-body therapies, and promoting brain-gut axis health. In addition, she is a stress-and pain-neurobiologist. She specializes in the neurodevelopment of the brain’s stress response system and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on diseases involving chronic pain, stress dysregulation and mood disorders. Her previous research demonstrates molecular mechanisms into the beneficial effect of exercise in restoring or improving the brain’s stress and pain response system following early life adverse events.

Pierce earned her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas and her Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

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