"COUSIN" AMELIA WOULD BE PROUD!

by Stan Griffin, Deaf Friends International Special Contributor

In the United States, there are approximately 40 hearing-impaired physicians, according to the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss. Only one is a distant relative of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. And only one has appeared on an ABC-TV show, "Houston Medical," a reality series where viewers watched her as a fourth-year medical student get her wish of being sent to a Rochester, N.Y. hospital for her residency so that she could pursue her dream of becoming an Obstetrician. "I enjoy working with women and the miracle of life."

Angela Earhart began her residency at Strong Memorial Hospital on June 17, 2002 just two days after she was married to Gabriel Ianculovici, a native of Romania and a sign-language interpreter. Her residency is scheduled to end in 2006.

Earhart was born profoundly deaf in Des Moines, Iowa to a hearing family. Her parents taught her she could do anything she set her mind to and " ... encouraged (her) to be involved and do things ... any average child would do."

She attended Duke University in North Carolina and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology. (While she was there, she taught classes in American Sign Language.) For a year she worked in research medicine at Baylor University (Waco, Texas), then enrolled at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, graduating in 2002.

Dr. Earhart has spent her life as a deaf woman working toward success in a hearing world. She has been compensating through the use of: (1) lip reading; (2) interpreters; and (3) special equipment.

She is able to read lips.

She used an interpreter all the way through her four years at Duke. At Strong, she also has an interpreter with her; they work 8-hour shifts and are, according to Earhart: " ... like family ..." They tell Earhart what patients say and also help with phone calls. One is always in the operating room when Earhart is there, wearing a clear mask so the doctor can read her lips. (None of them have medical training.)

Dr. Earhart also wears two powerful hearing aids often covered with hair or a surgical cap. In addition, she uses a vibrating text pager and an amplified stethoscope. "So far, I haven’t found anything I can’t do ..." she said.

Strong Hospital had to consider a number of factors when making a decision on Dr. Earhart’s residency. The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal to decide on a job applicant based on disability instead of merit. The Board chose Earhart by evaluating her interview, her references, and her medical school record. "She got a high ranking ... Hearing was not an issue." The hospital admitted her with the knowledge it would have to pay thousands of dollars for interpreters’ salaries.

Earhart’s chief resident admits that she had reservations about Earhart, especially her potential effectiveness in the operating room. "It took a little getting used to at first," she said but later Dr. Kara Eastwood commented: "She’s an excellent surgeon" and " ... excellent at picking up non-verbal clues ..." Earhart had to prove herself to co-workers. Some of them are even trying to learn sign language-- with her help.

Dr. Earhart tells patients up front: "I have a hearing loss: I can read lips: I have a sign language interpreter ... I’m there to help them, and they’re there to get help ... " Rochester has a large percentage of deaf residents (about 5% of the population). A lot of them request her as their physician. Many hearing patients have been exposed to the deaf culture. She was surprised so many can sign.

The first baby that Earhart delivered was to a deaf mother; and the second couple were from Romania, her husband’s home country. At her first C-section procedure (Caesarean), the attending physician agreed to wear a fully-enclosed helmet with a clear front so it was easier for Earhart to read his lips. Looking like "an alien" didn’t phase him!

Earhart gives her husband a lot of credit for being understanding , encouraging, and supportive, making it possible for her to complete her residency. She works 80-hour weeks and is on call 24 hours straight for at least one day.

In her spare time (whenever she can find some), Earhart enjoys traveling and remodeling their home near the hospital.

Dr. Earhart says, "I feel ... the deaf patient can be completely open (with me) and obtain the information ... they need. That’s very rewarding for me ..."