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Sharing Mayo Clinic: Hearing loss spurs doctor to pay it forward
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Today, Greta Stamper, Au.D., Ph.D., is a doctor of audiology in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus. But her connection to Mayo Clinic dates all the way back to her childhood.
Growing up in Iowa, Dr. Stamper was introduced to Mayo at age 10, when her parents took her to see Michael Schultz, Au.D., an audiologist in the Mayo Clinic Health System. Diagnosed with a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at age 8, she had made many visits to hearing health care professionals before she met Dr. Schultz. But he was different.
“Dr. Schultz was the first person who I could actually talk to about my hearing loss, and he helped me tremendously throughout my adolescence when I struggled to accept my hearing loss,” says Dr. Stamper, recalling daily challenges with peers who didn’t realize she had difficulty with her hearing.
With Dr. Schultz’s encouragement, Dr. Stamper went on to pursue a career in audiology, graduating in 2009 from the University of Iowa with a doctorate of audiology. Then she was selected to complete a one-year audiology externship at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Florida.
“I learned so much the year of my fellowship from the researchers and clinicians who were my mentors. It was a wonderful experience, and I hoped that I would have the opportunity to return one day to pay it forward.” — Dr. Greta Stamper
The school, which began in 1973, now has more than 100 programs in Arizona, Florida and Rochester, representing more than 60 health care professions. The audiology program is available at all three locations.
“I learned so much the year of my fellowship from the researchers and clinicians who were my mentors,” Dr. Stamper says. “It was a wonderful experience, and I hoped that I would have the opportunity to return one day to pay it forward.”
In September 2014, Dr. Stamper came full circle — returning to Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus as a member of the Mayo staff and director of the Audiology Externship.
“I love what I do. Not only can I help patients with hearing loss find solutions toward better communication, but I have a unique opportunity to be a part of the future of health care,” Dr. Stamper says. “It’s very rewarding to work with students who are on the same path as I was eight years ago. Mayo Clinic has been with me for so many steps along my career and my life. I am eternally grateful.”
Learn more about Dr. Stamper’s story in this video:
HELPFUL LINKS:
- Read about hearing loss.
- Learn about Audiology and Otorhinolaryngology at Mayo Clinic.
- Explore Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
- Request an appointment.
