What does it take to be the person who performs autopsies on dead bodies? What steps should I take to become one? Also, I'm probably going to enter Ross University, a Carribean medical school that offers basic sciences in Dominica and two years of clinicals in US ACGME-accredited hospitals. Would the fact that my MD is from Ross hinder my chances of being a medical examiner? How likely is it to affect my chances of getting a pathology residency? How important is it to get a good residency in pathology? Also, what happens after I finish the residency? Do I just simply become a medical examiner and get recruited by a medical center or a morgue? What type of salary should I be expecting? I often hear that the pathology job market is doing badly. Is this true? Would an MD from Ross even worsen it for me? I know that there's a lot I haven't seen but this is what I want to do. Any feedback to my concerns would greatly be appreciated.
Hiya, Fellowship in forensic pathology (1yr) after completing a residency in anatomic pathology(3yrs). Going to Ross does make it more difficult to get residency spots, but you still should be able to, just maybe not at your first choices. Getting into a fellowship in forensic is not tough. The job market for pathology or forensics is not bad. Most folks have no problems finding jobs. Starting salaries for forensics is anywhere from 80K to 120K. This is lower than a private practice pathologist because you normally work for the state, local gov or feds. I know you think you want to do this now, but keep your options open you get exposed to so many things during med school. Many if not most people change thier mind some where along the way.
I understand that going to Ross will make it difficult for matching into US residencies. In this instance, Ross would be a stigma on my record. However, if I do get into a US residency, would the fact that I got my MD from Ross still matter afterwards ? If so, how? How much will you be affected by getting into a low-ranked residency? Would it hurt you so much as to downgrade your prospects of future employment, position, and salary? Also, would you be concerned about pathologists' job market in the future? Based on what I heard, nowadays, medical centers and private practices are relying more on pathologist's assistants and pathology is the cost-cutting target of HMOs.
You appear to be too "overly" concerned with the "Ross" label associated with your MD degree. If you want my advice, it would be: -Try to get into a US School -If that is not an option, go with Ross as they are a established Carribean program and residency programs in essence know of the quality of education offered there -During your clinicals start wondering about residency (if in fact Pathology and forensics is the route you wish to take at the time) Getting a residency in path when you are coming from Ross is not going to be as difficult as other specialties, specially the competetive one. Further, from the people I know (ME's at NY, LA, and NM Coroners) it is not hard to get into the field. What you should be careful of is focusing too hard on Forensic Path (as mentioned by pumpkin above). This can misled you in basic sciences into looking away from some subjects and not giving them their due weight! Regardless, I wish you luck with your studies! GD-Purveyor of Fine Verbage
But how often will the reputation of your medical school be looked at? How would it affect you? Also, if I get accepted and complete a US residency after graduating from Ross, would employers/patients/whoever still put emphasis on where I received my MD degree from? Or would they just look at where you got your most recent training ( in this case, residency/fellowship ) from?
You can almost certainly get into path via Ross you just will not have a ton of choices in residency spots. Most of the bigger named and some of the middle path programs will probably not interview you. This is especially true if path is becoming more competitive which most people believe is happening. If you do a forensics fellowship no one s likely to care where you went to med school or residency for that matter. Forensic fellowships and jobs are not competitive at this time. The forensics program in Richmond which is nationally known (thanks somewhat to Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta-bestseller novels about a chief medical examiner) had a guy from Canada this year and an open spot. From what I understand Ross is no picnic either. Many more folks go down there than come back MDs. DO school would still be the best alternative, but they are not easy to get into either.
One more question. After I complete a residency/fellowship, will anyone ask what medical school I went to? Will the reputation of my medical school have any bearings on my future at this point? Will I make it to at least a major university program, if not the best ? Will anyone be saying that I'm an illegitimate doctor because of Ross? What do you think? Also, I avoided applying to DO schools because of the DO degree. Despite being a non-LCME school, Ross offers an MD and a respectable chunk of its graduates made it into surgery last year. I feel that an MD degree is more well perceived than DOs. Did I make the right choice?
It is possible you will be discriminated against based on your choice of Ross when you look for your first job, but not likely. That is a question no one can really answer because it will be on your CV (resume) and individuals will make hiring decisions based on thier personal beliefs. I doubt anyone will say you are not a legitimate doc, because you will be legit. You will have the same rights and responsiblities as any other MD, just maybe not the same opportunities at first. My personal belief you would be better going to a DO school. The fact that you see many FMGs in a residency program and few DOs is more a numbers reason than a descrimination reason. I am sure my program would take a DO over a FMG all things being equal. Yet, we have FMGs and no DOs in the program. We haven't had a DO apply lately. We do have a DO applying this year that will likely get a very high place on our match list. She spent time with us and everyone really liked her. And, we will probably not even interview FMGs this year unless they are Superstars. That all said, you will be able to get into path via Ross. So if you are going make the most of it. If you find a place you really want to do residency, do a rotation there so they can meet you and appreciate who you really are and what you can really do. People that spend a month with us almost always get a chance to come here if they want. This is a good idea even if you would have no problem getting in somewhere. You never know how you will fit in until you are there. And, spending 4 years in a place you don't fit in and don't like is not worth whatever "name" the school has.
Interestingly enough, in many towns/cities the medical examiner is an elected position which one is voted into, much like mayor. The requirements vary and might not, in fact, even include being a forensic pathologis, a pathologist at all, or even a physician. In Columbus, Ohio the ME was a family practioner - an osteopath. He hired forensic pathologists to conduct the autopsies for him.
