Beth Peterson, MD

Meet Beth Peterson, MD

Pioneer in Advanced General Surgery and Gastric Neuromodulation in the Northeast Texas Region

Dr. Beth Peterson is a board-certified general surgeon at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, bringing over 15 years of surgical mastery and clinical leadership to the Mount Pleasant community. After earning her medical degree and completing her residency at LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Peterson established herself as a regional leader, having previously served as Chief of Surgery and Trauma Medical Director at Wadley Regional Medical Center (now known as CHRISTUS Health Pine Street). Her transition to CHRISTUS in Mount Pleasant reflects her deep connection to the Ark-La-Tex corridor and her commitment to providing high-acuity, urban-level surgical services in a close-to-home community setting.

Career at a Glance

• Over 15+ years of specialized clinical experience in high-volume general surgery.
• Voted "Best Surgeon" by ALT Magazine Readers for four consecutive years (2020–2023).
• Designated a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), a distinction of professional excellence and surgical ethics.
• Pioneered the first local gastric stimulator program in the Ark-La-Tex region to treat refractory gastroparesis.

Clinical Role and Leadership

Dr. Peterson leads advanced surgical initiatives and ensures the local population has access to multidisciplinary expertise in oncology and gastrointestinal care. She provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Breast Cancer and Paget’s Disease
• Gastroparesis (Gastric Neuromodulation/Stimulator Implants)
• Inguinal and Incisional Hernias
• Gallbladder Disease and Cholecystitis
• Colon and Rectal Pathologies
• Appendicitis and Intestinal Obstructions
• Complex Wound Repair

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Peterson

Dr. Peterson believes that surgery is a technical craft grounded in a lifelong commitment to making a tangible difference in her patients' lives. Her empathetic approach is deeply informed by her own experiences as a patient and as a family caregiver for a loved one facing cancer, allowing her to view the clinical journey from both sides of the bed. You can expect:

• Compassionate care informed by personal patient-advocacy experience.
• Clear, transparent communication regarding your diagnosis and surgical options.
• A healthcare priority focused on healing and patient-centered goals rather than institutional metrics.
• Expert technical execution of precise surgeries with a focus on the beauty of human anatomy.
• Dedicated partnership throughout your treatment, from consultation to full recovery.

Advanced Surgical Innovation / Diagnostic Care

Dr. Peterson leverages advanced technological platforms, including robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery, to ensure smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery times. Her landmark achievement is the development of the region’s first gastric stimulator program; this innovative treatment uses surgical neuromodulation—the implantation of electrical leads into the stomach wall—to restore gastrointestinal function in diabetic patients who have failed traditional medical management.

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Peterson is a vocal advocate for the surgical workforce, emphasizing the need to mitigate "moral injury" and refocus healthcare priorities on physician-led, patient-centered care. Her work establishing the Ark-La-Tex gastric stimulator program involves rigorous clinical review and outcome tracking, contributing to the growing body of evidence for decentralized, high-tech gastrointestinal care.

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity

Recognizing the healthcare disparities in Northeast Texas, Dr. Peterson is committed to decentralizing specialty services so that rural residents can access urban-level care locally. She actively promotes preventative screening, advocating for clinical breast exams starting at age 18 and annual mammography at age 40 to ensure early detection of oncological conditions within the community.