‘Leaving an Indelible Mark’: Dr. Harrison Pierce Steps Down from Health & Human Services Commission

The town’s highest elected official last week honored a local physician and community leader during the COVID-19 pandemic known to generations of New Canaan families.

First Selectman Dionna Carlson recalled during last week’s Health & Human Services Commission meeting that the appointed body’s chair, Dr. Harrison Pierce, dropped into her office following Carlson’s one year ago to say it may be time to step down from the role, she recalled.

“And I said, ‘Please don’t leave me’ ” and “Please give me a year at least,’ ” Carlson recalled during the Commission’s Dec. 4 meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

“So he was gracious as he always is, in being willing to serve an additional year to help me get on my feet,” she continued. “So I will be forever grateful to you for that.”

The comments came during the final Commission meeting for Pierce, a recent New Canaan High School Hall of Fame inductee who served as Health & Human Services chair for five years. 

In honor of his tenure and contributions, Carlson read out the following proclamation during the meeting:

“To Harrison J. Pierce, MD: Whereas Dr. Harrison Pierce has been a pillar of the New Canaan community for over 50 years, demonstrating extraordinary leadership as a volunteer and playing a pivotal role in supporting the medical needs of the community. And, whereas for 42 years Dr. Pierce served as a dedicated primary care physician to generations of local kids, forging bonds with families and leaving an indelible mark on the health of New Canaan’s youth. And Dr. Pierce served an unprecedented five years as chairman of the Health & Human Services Commission from 2019 to 2024, identifying ways to harness the community as an asset to drive wellness and ensuring that sufficient resources are in place to address the myriad needs of our residents. And whereas as Dr. Pierce masterfully led the town during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping forge strong partnerships across town services, overseeing vaccine clinics for children and providing expert guidance to the New Canaan Public Schools. And whereas Dr. Pierce has been an unrivaled as an advocate for the community’s youth, serving as director of health from 2001 to 2003, serving as medical advisor for seven area schools and being a familiar and inspiring presence on the home field sidelines during New Canaan varsity football games—even during torrential downpours which I was able to witness this last Turkey Bowl. Now therefore, I, Dionna Carlson, first selectman of the town of New Canaan, Connecticut, on Dec. 5, 2024 do hereby extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Harrison Pierce for his devotion to the children of New Canaan and for his five decades of leadership supporting the greater community.”

Members of the Commission, including Tom Ferguson, Jim Lisher, Russell Barksdale, Jr., Jennifer Hladick, Barb Achenbaum, Peter Campbell and Dr. Raquel Harrison, gave Pierce a round of applause. Commission Secretary Alyssa MacKenzie was absent.

Pierce, who came into the chairmanship in the weeks prior to the pandemic amid some turmoil, described the Commission’s work as “teamwork” involving members and municipal and district staff. He thanked Carlson and her predecessor, Kevin Moynihan, for their support and collaboration.

“I thank you and appreciate all of the interaction that we’ve had,” Pierce said. He added, “I am very appreciative. I’m happy I did this.”