Interview, May 25, 2007

Creator:
Duke University. Medical Center. Archives.
Scope and content:

This oral history interview was conducted with Dr. Philip H. Pearce on May 25, 2007 by Jessica Roseberry as part of the Women in Duke Medicine Oral History Exhibit.

Duration: 01:42:03

During the interview Pearce discusses beginnings of his interest in medicine; Air Force leadership coercing him to choose obstetrics and gynecology; medical school at Duke; residency at Duke; his rotation with Dr. Eleanor B. Easley; Easley starting a physician partnership with Dr. Richard Pearse (no relation) during World War II; Easley's hardworking nature; Easley's intelligence; Easley having to prove herself as a woman physician; the good reputation of the Durham Women's Clinic; Pearce's choice to join Durham Women's Clinic instead of staying at Duke; the partnership affiliation with Watts Hospital; partners' appointments at Duke Hospital; the eventual competitive relationship with Duke's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; some women choosing Durham Women's Clinic even when their health plan restricted them to Duke; Easley's business acumen; Pearse's lack of business acumen; Pearse's persona; Easley sometimes scolding Pearse; Pearse's expertise at hypnotism; other partners in the clinic using hypnosis, although not to as great effect as Pearse; Easley's relationships to patients; Easley's frankness with patients about health issues; Dr. Robert Ross; Easley advocating to the legislature for the legalization of safe abortions; Easley potentially performing abortions; Nancy Carreras, a nurse midwife hired by Easley; the practice's tendency to adopt progressive methods; Easley's tendency to adopt progressive methods; Easley as a speaker on sex education; the payment system at the Durham Women's Clinic set up by Easley; other partners in the clinic; Easley never having children in order to commit to her profession; her husband, Dr. Howard Easley; the Easley's donation of land to the Eno River Association; Easley's encouragement of young doctors; Easley's encountering opposition to abortion; working at Lincoln Hospital and the Salvation Army Home for unwed mothers; changes in the field; women as ob-gyn physicians; some people's confusion between Dr. Philip Pearce's name and Dr. Richard Pearse's.

The transcription of this interview was made possible by a grant from the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation.

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