Resident Spotlight 

Resident Spotlight: Meet Mason Pearce, PGY-3/General Surgery

Feb. 10, 2025
By Tiffani Torres

Mason Pearce, a PGY-3 General Surgery resident, hails from Georgia and has made her mark at USF as a positive and energetic leader among her colleagues, earning her a Graduate Medical Education (GME) Culture Champion Award.

Where are you from, and what passions and hobbies inspire you?
I completed my undergraduate studies at Brenau University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in biology, graduating summa cum laude. I attended Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah, Georgia. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I’ve been deeply involved in leadership and advocacy roles. For example, I’ve served on committees focused on wellness, patient safety and program development, and I was a class representative for my residency program. These experiences have helped me grow as a team player and a leader, always striving to improve the environments I’m a part of. 
Outside of medicine, I’m passionate about staying active and exploring the outdoors. I enjoy hiking, paddleboarding, acro-yoga, weightlifting and playing softball. I also love visiting unique coffee shops, as I find they’re great places to recharge and spark creativity. I’m driven by a desire to make a positive impact on patient care and the health-care system, with a particular interest in surgical innovation and clinical informatics. These passions keep me excited about the future of medicine and the contributions I hope to make in my field.

What made you choose USF for residency? Do you have plans for fellowship?
My husband and I couples-matched for residency at USF, where he is an internal medicine resident pursuing a career in gastroenterology. I chose USF because of its people — their kindness, ambition and exceptional talent immediately stood out to me. 
I wanted a program that would not only prepare me to confidently start a practice directly after residency but also provide opportunities to explore competitive fellowships. I am currently applying to USF's Clinical Informatics Fellowship, which I hope to incorporate into my future career as an aspiring breast surgeon, enhancing patient care through innovation and data-driven decision-making.

Tell us about your selection for the Culture Champion Award. 
I was honored to receive the GME Culture Champion Award because I strive to foster a positive and supportive environment for my colleagues. I like to think of myself as an approachable person who genuinely enjoys helping others, driven by the goal of providing high-quality patient care. I believe that cultivating a culture of open communication, collaboration and positivity enhances our work environment and improves overall well-being. When you are fulfilled and happy in your professional life, that energy inevitably carries over into your personal life. Promoting wellness, especially within the demanding field of medicine, is a passion of mine, and I am committed to making a meaningful impact in this area.

What inspires your involvement with the Resident Advisory Committee? 
My involvement with the Resident Advisory Committee is driven by my passion for advocacy and ensuring that everyone has a voice. I firmly believe there is always room for improvement, and I’m committed to fostering positive changes within our community. As a committee, we’ve made significant strides in areas such as building a sense of community, improving financial support and enhancing benefits within graduate medical education. However, there is still more work to be done, and I’m motivated to continue pushing for progress. 
What inspires me most is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact — not only on our patients but also on our residents, fellows and faculty. It’s deeply fulfilling to help create an environment where individuals feel supported and can excel personally and professionally.