Dr. Stephanie Moore was raised in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. A proud member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, Moore’s tribal heritage is passed on from her mother, Cherry Robinson Byfield. Stephanie now resides in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with her husband of 29 years, David, along with their two children. 

After graduating high school, she attended the University of Oklahoma  and was assigned a small scholarship designed to attract Native American students. During her undergraduate studies, Dr. Moore was introduced to the science of Audiology, which would become her future field or practice. Her attraction to Audiology comes from a very personal experience. Dr. Moore shared “I lost the hearing in my right ear when I was 6 years old. My own experience with hearing loss made the study of Audiology a natural fit. I knew a lot about hearing loss and wanted to help other people regain their hearing.” 

Moore graduated with an undergraduate degree in Communications Disorders (Speech Pathology) and completed her graduate studies by earning a Masters Degree in Audiology. In 2000, she completed her University education by obtaining her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Florida. At the completion of her Doctorate, the intense journey to opening her own practice was a determined one, spending many hours over the next 7 years assessing and treating hearing-impaired patients. In 2006, Dr. Moore opened her own practice in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and has been a contributing member of that business community ever since.  

Moore expanded on what it is she does: 

“I am a hearing specialist, I diagnose hearing loss and work with hearing aids and amplification treatments. The work I do focuses on all ages, from babies and toddlers to senior citizens. If I identify a situation where there is hearing loss and hearing aids are not a feasible solution, I refer patients to specialists for cochlear implants. When an implant is required, patients can have the surgery and return to my office after their recovery and I will activate the implant as part of their visit.”

Three years ago, Dr. Moore’s practice won an award for best small business of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The practice has been recognized for being a successful female-owned company,  prioritizing the lives and families of the women that work there. Her practice also models the way by allowing employees flexible work schedules that accommodate the family needs of her employees. The respect she has for the team members at her practice is returned to business by their patients, who equally respect and admire her chosen approach to business.

Dr. Moore expanded further: “I am amazed every time I see a new implant case make a visit to our office. Seeing their expression as they fill with tears of joy as their hearing is regained. Experiencing these moments with our friends, family and fellow community members is evidence the work we do matters. Without our sense of hearing, we tend to become isolated and lonely. Hearing is key to communication and enables us to connect with the people who mean the most in our lives. We love what we do and helping people everyday is a fun job to have.”

 
When asked what advice she would give to people who share big dreams, she shared; “The first thing that comes to mind is to find a mentor. Oftentimes, students will come to me seeking guidance for their career.  I am always willing to give my time to help another person succeed, just as my coaches and mentors did for me. Don’t hesitate to ask other people for mentorship and guidance. There are a lot people out there willing to support you. Mentorship changed the game for me and has added so much clarity to my direction.” 

When asked about the meaning of her tribal heritage, Moore responded, “As I reflect on our tribal stories, I believe there is a lot of power in the shared experiences and beliefs of us all. My heritage is an honor and gift that I hold in extremely high regard. The connectedness I feel from being a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation can never be taken away from me or my children. The stories passed down over generations are meaningful and bond us all. The challenges, hardships and triumph of the generations before me are evidence of the values of my family and how strong we are. If the generations before me were able to adapt, persevere and succeed, I know I can as well.”