TUPELO—A Mississippi boy from birth, Terry W. Pinson, MD, was born in Oxford and grew up in Hattiesburg, where his dad, James, was a chemistry professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. 

 

While on a mission trip to Mexico organized by the First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg, Pinson, an Eagle Scout, became enthralled watching physicians care for patients in underserved communities.

 

“I was a junior in high school, and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do before that,” recalled Pinson. “I liked the way their work immediately helped others.”

 

Pinson had already made a name for himself woodworking. At the age of 20, Pinson represented Mississippi in the 1984 World’s Fair, and was the Artist-in-Residence at the Mississippi Pavilion demonstrating woodcarving. 

 

“I’ve always had a deep love for the woods,” said Pinson, the second of four children born to James and his wife, Celeste, a schoolteacher. “Every year since I was a kid, my sisters and brother and I used to plant trees on my grandfather’s timber farm near Lucedale. One day, I picked up a woodworking book, saw the carvings, and thought that’s something I’d like to do. It was entirely self-taught.”

 

After graduating from Oak Grove High School, and Southern Miss with a chemistry degree, Pinson pursued a medical degree at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency in general surgery at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala.

 

“As a resident, my chief professor of surgery was Dr. Henry Laws, a surgeon originally from Columbus,” said Pinson, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. “At that time, advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques were on the forefront. Laparoscopic bariatric surgery not only treated obesity, but a host of diseases related to obesity had positive incomes. We were able to improve the lives of patients in many ways. That was very fulfilling work.”

 

Pinson settled in Tupelo, where he is a general and bariatric surgeon, and serves as medical director for North Mississippi Medical Center’s (NMMC) Bariatric Center. He performs three types of bariatric procedures— laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery, and laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

 

“I didn’t go into bariatric surgery because anyone in family was obese,” said Pinson. “One in three Mississippians is considered obese, so it wouldn’t have been unlikely, but that’s not the case.”

 

Pinson and his family stay in shape through outdoor exercise, particularly riding bikes.

 

“I’m an avid cyclist,” said Pinson, who has devoted vacation time to Diabetes Awareness Rides, usually biking an average of 100 miles a day for five consecutive days, giving diabetes awareness talks along the way. “I’ve been from Nashville to Natchez on the Trace, and from Corinth to Gulfport, and all over Mississippi.”

 

When Pinson gets home from work, he often jumps on his bike and rides along one of several 25- to 100-mile routes around his house.

 

“I don’t get on the Trace much because it’s so congested around Tupelo,” he said. “There are plenty of great places … it’s a relief to get on a bike and ride around the countryside, passing cows and pastures. It’s very scenic and peaceful—not far from home.”

 

Even though time—or lack thereof—remains a challenge, he said he wouldn’t change a thing about his schedule. His wife, Sondra, a registered nurse who is president of the Mississippi State Medical Association Alliance this year, often rides with him. His older sons Wesley, 17, and Luke, 8, sometimes join in, and he’s patiently waiting to teach 16-month-old Evan the rules of the road.

 

“My greatest challenge has probably been being the best possible surgeon, husband and father day in and day out,” he said. “You really want to stay on top of everything.”

 

Pinson also juggles various teaching appointments—he serves as assistant clinical professor of surgery at UMMC and has been a visiting professor at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He presents two free bariatric educational seminars monthly on the NMMC campus in Tupelo.

 

“I like teaching and working with residents, and to see the changes they make in as they develop into young surgeons,” said Pinson.

 

Most rewarding is seeing the benefits patients reap after successful bariatric surgery, such as Alice Byars of Columbus, who lost more than 100 pounds after having laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery in August 2008. “I was able to stop taking the blood pressure and cholesterol medication immediately,” she said. “There were things I just couldn’t do before, but now I have all this energy. I really have a new outlook on life.”