A remarkable journey began for Nicole Everitt, a deaf mother of six, as she commenced her studies at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth. This week, Everitt celebrated a significant milestone by receiving a personalized, digital, Bluetooth-enabled stethoscope designed to connect with her hearing aids. This innovative technology empowers her to pursue her ambition of becoming a surgeon, overcoming barriers that once seemed insurmountable.
At a special ceremony, Everitt expressed her excitement, stating, “It’s amplified and digital… I’m so excited.” This stethoscope offers advanced features that allow her to hear heartbeats clearly, a capability she previously feared was beyond her reach. Everitt’s determination places her in a small and unique group; according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, fewer than 40 medical students in the United States identified as deaf or hard of hearing in 2019. This represents approximately 0.04% of the nearly 90,000 medical students across the country.
Everitt’s inspiration to become a physician began in 10th grade, following a hospital visit that left her feeling “electric.” Until recently, she had never seen a deaf physician represented in media or real life. Her perspective shifted when she watched reruns of the television show E.R., where a character worked with a deaf physician. “That, to me, was… the door opened,” she recalled. This pivotal moment encouraged her to believe that a career in medicine was possible.
Reflecting on her journey, Everitt acknowledged the challenges she faced, stating, “I was just a mom and just a kid with hearing loss. And I’m trying to walk back that kind of vocabulary because I’m in fact a medical student.” Her path to medical school has not followed a conventional route, but she embraces this uniqueness, asserting, “You can do anything that you put your mind to. It doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s timeline.”
With her children cheering her on and her specialized stethoscope in hand, Everitt stands as a testament to what is achievable for those who have felt unheard. “Your path might look a little different, and that’s okay,” she advised others facing similar challenges. “Just keep going.”
Everitt’s story is a powerful reminder that determination and innovative technology can open doors, allowing individuals to pursue their dreams, regardless of the barriers they may encounter.
