With advanced hearing technology and determination, Nicole Everitt is redefining what’s possible for deaf students in pursuit of medical careers.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Nicole Everitt isn’t just beginning medical school; she’s breaking barriers.
This week, the mother of six marked a significant milestone at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth. At a special ceremony, she received a personalized digital, Bluetooth-enabled stethoscope that links to her hearing aids.
Everitt, who is deaf, has the ability to pursue her career as a surgeon thanks to advanced technology.
“It’s amplified and digital… I’m so excited,” Everitt said in an interview with WFAA, noting that the device has advanced features that enable her to hear heartbeats clearly. It’s a capability she once feared was out of reach.
Everitt is part of an exceptionally small group — as of 2019, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported that fewer than 40 medical students nationally identified as deaf or hard of hearing. Out of approximately 90,000 total medical students, this is around 0.04%.
Everitt said she had never seen a deaf physician in media or real life until she watched reruns of the television show, E.R., where Dr. Benton worked with a physician who was deaf.
“That, to me, was… the door opened,” Everitt said.
Her inspiration dates back to 10th grade, following a hospital visit that left her feeling “electric.” But even then, she told herself becoming a doctor wasn’t possible for the next decade, until that TV portrayal changed her mind.
“I was just a mom and just a kid with hearing loss,” she said. “And I’m trying to walk back that kind of vocabulary because I’m in fact a medical student.”
Everitt’s path hasn’t been traditional, but she believes that’s the point.
“You can do anything that you put your mind to,” she said. “It doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s timeline.”
With her children cheering by her side and her specialized stethoscope in hand, Everitt represents what’s possible for others who have felt unheard.
“Your path might look a little different, and that’s okay,” Everitt said. “Just keep going.”
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