Interview, May 25, 2007
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- Duke University. Medical Center. Archives.
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Dr. Pearce speaks about the 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. Easley; Dr. Easley starting a physician partnership with Dr. Richard Pearse (no relation) during World War II; Dr. Easley's hardworking nature; Dr. Easley's intelligence; Dr. Easley having to prove herself as a woman physician; the good reputation of the Durham Women's Clinic; Dr. 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; Dr. Easley's business acumen; Dr. Pearse's lack of business acumen; Dr. Pearse's persona; Dr. Easley sometimes scolding Dr. Pearse; Dr. Pearse's expertise at hypnotism; other partners in the clinic using hypnosis, although not to as great effect as Dr. Pearse; Dr. Easley's relationships to patients; Dr. Easley's frankness with patients about health issues; Dr. Robert Ross; Dr. Easley advocating to the legislature for the legalization of safe abortions; Dr. Easley potentially performing abortions; Nancy Carreras, a nurse midwife hired by Dr. Easley; the practice's tendency to adopt progressive methods; Dr. Easley's tendency to adopt progressive methods; Dr. Easley as a speaker on sex education; the payment system at the Durham Women's Clinic set up by Dr. Easley; other partners in the clinic; Dr. 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; Dr. Easley's encouragement of young doctors; Dr. 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. Pearce's name and Dr. Pearse's.
The transcription of this interview was made possible by a grant from the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation.
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