Catherine Bartlett wins the AAP 2009 National Conference & Exhibition (NCE) heroes award

When Dr. Bartlett attended a symposium on early diagnosis of hearing loss almost 20 years ago, she saw how a deaf child's life can be changed by new technology available to screen newborns for hearing loss.  By identifying a hearing loss at birth and providing immediate and appropriate intervention, a deaf child could learn to listen and talk rather than rely solely on sign language.  She knew then that pediatricians see more children with hearing loss than any other childhood disease and it became important to her to help other pediatricians identify it before it becomes a problem.  Newborn screenings were not commonplace at that time.  She worked with Cooley Dickinson Hospital to establish the first Newborn Hearing Screening Program in western Massachusetts, which served as a model for other programs.  In the first year, 2 children with no medical history of deafness were identified and their lives were changed forever.  Many more over the years have been screened and are reaching their full potential.  A vice chair of the Clarke School for the Deaf Board, Dr. Bartlett has been instrumental in supporting the schools and programs on 5 campuses that impact thousands of people each year.  She's educated her colleagues about a deaf child's potential, as well as others throughout the United States.  Her letter to "Dear Abby" urging newborn hearing screening was published and reached millions.  Dr. Bartlett's work has enhanced the lives of deaf children today and in the future because she saw their true potential and wanted to make it possible for others.