I need a favor from Southern Californian people

[Gpan]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I just got a note from Touro CA saying that my MD letter is not enough and that I need to submit a DO letter. The problem is I have been calling every DOs in the directory of the AOA website, and none of them agree to let me shadow them due to some insurance liability and a bunch of other crazy excuses.

So I am asking all of Southern Californians a favor. If you know any DOs in the area that are willing to let a student shadow, please let me know asap. This is my last resource. I'll take you out for dinner in return if you like🙂.

PM me if you like.

 

[CDO2012]

Hey I'm not from Cali BUT I remember seeing something of the AOA website about trying to find a DO to shadow... Here is a link : http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=faq_cons#edshadow ... Maybe this will help you find a DO that is willing to have someone shadow them.. Hope this helps!

 

[skier06]

I just got a note from Touro CA saying that my MD letter is not enough and that I need to submit a DO letter. The problem is I have been calling every DOs in the directory of the AOA website, and none of them agree to let me shadow them due to some insurance liability and a bunch of other crazy excuses.

So I am asking all of Southern Californians a favor. If you know any DOs in the area that are willing to let a student shadow, please let me know asap. This is my last resource. I'll take you out for dinner in return if you like🙂.

PM me if you like.

That's so bizarre, I thought that Touro-CA didn't require (though they recommend) a DO letter. Maybe because it's later in the application cycle they're getting more picky? I was accepted there, without a DO letter though I had multiple MD letters.

Good luck finding someone to shadow though 🙂

 

[spazzz]

you should call western and see if there are any alums who are willing to help you out, but it might be tough to get a good DO letter from someone you only will meet once, and something you need ASAP

 

[RySerr21]

I just got a note from Touro CA saying that my MD letter is not enough and that I need to submit a DO letter. The problem is I have been calling every DOs in the directory of the AOA website, and none of them agree to let me shadow them due to some insurance liability and a bunch of other crazy excuses.

So I am asking all of Southern Californians a favor. If you know any DOs in the area that are willing to let a student shadow, please let me know asap. This is my last resource. I'll take you out for dinner in return if you like🙂.

PM me if you like.

dude, southern california is bigger than most states on the east coast. where exactly are you? i've shadowed DOs both in LA and San Diego so depending where exactly you are i might be able to help

 

[ocwaveoc]

I found the DO I shadowed from this website. It really worked out well and saved me for the schools that required DO letters.

http://www.osteopathic.org/YOM/Mentor_fame.htm

Good luck.

 

[Pheobe]

Call San Ysidro Health Center and ask how you can get in contact with doctors there to shadow. There are quite a few satellite clinics if your not too close to the border. You will most likely have to register as a volunteer and show a recent (w/in 1 yr) Tb test.

 

[dennielulu]

I shadowed two traditional osteopaths in costa mesa (they are a married couple with their own practice, one graduated from touro-ca, one from western). Their practice is called traditional osteopathy that you can google their website and get their emails. They were fairly responsive and very open to shadow them. Dr. Junella Chin offered to write me a letter after one time shadowing, although I declined... Hope this helps!!

 

[Gpan]

I just wanna say thank you for all the wonderful tips. If you have some direct contact please feel free to PM me. I live in Santa Ana btw. Thanks guys. 🙂

 

[madcye]

Just call Western I was able to shadow a Professor there and he wrote me a letter. However, I did shadow him for over 6 months but if you explain your situation maybe they'll help.

 

[scpod]

I just got a note from Touro CA saying that my MD letter is not enough and that I need to submit a DO letter. The problem is I have been calling every DOs in the directory of the AOA website, and none of them agree to let me shadow them due to some insurance liability and a bunch of other crazy excuses.....

You know, all you need is a letter from them. You aren't actually required to "shadow" anybody. You can often ask to meet with a DO over lunch or dinner, or go running with them, or whatever...as long as you get in a few good minutes of conversation about being a DO. You can get a letter that way without going through the whole "shadowing" scenario. Tell them up front that you would like to meet them and talk about being a DO because the schools you are applying to require a letter from a DO. Even if they won't let you near their office, you can still get a letter.

 

[Gpan]

You know, all you need is a letter from them. You aren't actually required to "shadow" anybody. You can often ask to meet with a DO over lunch or dinner, or go running with them, or whatever...as long as you get in a few good minutes of conversation about being a DO. You can get a letter that way without going through the whole "shadowing" scenario. Tell them up front that you would like to meet them and talk about being a DO because the schools you are applying to require a letter from a DO. Even if they won't let you near their office, you can still get a letter.

I am glad you brought this up. I had talked with a DO before. He's an anesthesiologist. I basically ask him for a shadowing job, but after all consideration with the staff in his hospital, he said that it's not possible due to the liability problem. However, he also offer to write me a letter of rec if I need one. I haven't declined the offer yet. I basically said that I would like to look for other actual shadowing gigs somewhere else in the meantime.

Do you think I should just ask him for that letter? I mean wouldn't that be a risky move since I hardly know him and vice versa?

Has anyone done this before? I mean asking for a letter without actual shadowing?

 

[ramstam]

That's what I did.

 

[bliksem]

Do you think I should just ask him for that letter? I mean wouldn't that be a risky move since I hardly know him and vice versa?

Has anyone done this before? I mean asking for a letter without actual shadowing?

I hope you were able to ask for the letter. Otherwise, to answer your question...1) Yes, you should ask for the letter. 2) I asked a DO without shadowing and I got 2 interviews so far.

I live in Sacramento and I certainly can relate to you. I called over 10 offices and no one was willing for me to shadow for reasons mentioned, but luckily one did offer to talk with me at 7:15am before his office opened and also offered to write me the letter without being asked. I had a conversation with him about what I understood about osteopathy and why I've decided to pursue it. I then handed him my AACOMAS app and resume. He then showed me his practice and wrote me a very good letter considering I've never made him before.

I also contacted the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California. I was invited to join a continual education dinner meeting where there were over 40 DOs. I was introduced but no one really offered. However, even just talking with a few DO of various specialties is a plus.

In case you'll still looking (or anyone in SoCal) here are a few good links:

Orange County Osteopathic Medical Association
http://www.opsc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=23

Find a DO through specialty and ZIP
http://www.opsc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=23

I also applied to Western and Touro-CA. Good Luck! 👍