May 16, 2022

Evan Mercer, MD’22

Evan Mercer, a fourth-year medical student, poses for a photo in Light Hall at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Monday, March 7, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. Mercer gave the Dean's Lecture on the subject of "Doctors with Disabilities: Why my Deafness Will Help my Future Patients."

Grew up in Marietta, Georgia

Diagnosed at age 4 with sensorineural hearing loss

Attended Vanderbilt University as an undergraduate and served as Mr. Commodore on the VU spirit team

Served as a Student Affiliate Adviser, working to foster a sense of support for each member of VUSM’s Chapman College

“There’s a perception that doctors have to be absolutely perfect mentally and physically because they’re taking care of people [with lives in their hands]. There’s a sort of stigma against revealing whether or not you have a disability because some people might think of disability as a flaw or imperfection – but it’s not. I want to be able to challenge the notion that just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you are any less of a physician or a person. In fact, I think it makes you a better provider because you have that experience to connect with your patients or co-workers and team as a whole.”