Ignorance vs. DOs strikes again!

[bluerose786]

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Hey Guys,

I'm a student with disabilities and I'll be attending DO school in the fall. I was told by my prospective school's disability services office to apply for Dept. of Rehab. services, and the lady I'm working with at the Rehab. office is really nice. I turned in a lot of paperwork, and when the lady finally presented my case to her supervisor yesterday....her supervisor made comments like "Are you sure she is going to be a real doctor? That school's just a "herbal" school. She put down medical school, but she's not really going there cuz DO schools are not like real medical schools. The school is a "diploma mill." BLAH BLAH BLAH."

This was quite insulting, but I retained my patience and positive attitude by making it clear to the lady (she said she did NOT agree with her supervisor) what osteopathic medicine is, etc. Anywayz, I sent them a long email last night about DO schools, osteopathic medicine, admissions, etc. So hopefully the supervisor will UNDERSTAND and FINALLY LEARN what it's all about.

It just beats me that people can be SOOOOOOOOO ignorant. If they don't know, why can't they just LOOK it up online?? I told the lady this, and she said, "Well, they want the clarifications from you because it's your application and your career goal."

Anywayz, I just had to vent this out, and I'm prepared if they try to further discriminate.

 

[medhacker]

Fight the power sis...

 

[rack]

haha she probably just thinks youre annoying now

 

[kev1n]

i am proud of your actions. Please let me know if she responds =D

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

haha she probably just thinks youre annoying now

I was thinking the same. She probably didn't read it.

 

[nvshelat]

Hey Guys,

I'm a student with disabilities and I'll be attending DO school in the fall. I was told by my prospective school's disability services office to apply for Dept. of Rehab. services, and the lady I'm working with at the Rehab. office is really nice. I turned in a lot of paperwork, and when the lady finally presented my case to her supervisor yesterday....her supervisor made comments like "Are you sure she is going to be a real doctor? That school's just a "herbal" school. She put down medical school, but she's not really going there cuz DO schools are not like real medical schools. The school is a "diploma mill." BLAH BLAH BLAH."

This was quite insulting, but I retained my patience and positive attitude by making it clear to the lady (she said she did NOT agree with her supervisor) what osteopathic medicine is, etc. Anywayz, I sent them a long email last night about DO schools, osteopathic medicine, admissions, etc. So hopefully the supervisor will UNDERSTAND and FINALLY LEARN what it's all about.

It just beats me that people can be SOOOOOOOOO ignorant. If they don't know, why can't they just LOOK it up online?? I told the lady this, and she said, "Well, they want the clarifications from you because it's your application and your career goal."

Anywayz, I just had to vent this out, and I'm prepared if they try to further discriminate.

did you cc the AOA on the email?

 

[Daddydoc]

did you cc the AOA on the email?

I agree, let the AOA know. I'm sure they would be more than willing to jump all over these people for you.

 

[RisingSun]

I agree, let the AOA know. I'm sure they would be more than willing to jump all over these people for you.

No offense, but don't you think that the AOA has more important things to do? I can think of lots of other things that I would rather the AOA use its resources to address than going after someone who has no relationship to medicine anyway.

 

[PhDtoDO]

If this had happened at a party...fine, tell her off and ignore her.

But, in a professional environment, and this situation sort of is, it could be construed as harassment...not necessarily to you over time, but to many people that this woman encounters over the years.

It's these situations that, generally, you shouldn't just walk away if you can help it. I would have, done the same, complained to the supervisor and written a detailed letter about the situation and its impact on you personally.

An email is sufficient. Putting it in writing is the best way to have a permanent impact.

I feel for you.

Your actions...bravo!

-PhDtoDO

 

[nvshelat]

No offense, but don't you think that the AOA has more important things to do? I can think of lots of other things that I would rather the AOA use its resources to address than going after someone who has no relationship to medicine anyway.

No, the AOA does jump all over institutions for this.

 

[RisingSun]

No, the AOA does jump all over institutions for this.

I know that. And sometimes the AOA is right to get actively involved (like if an MD program will not allow DO students to rotate there, etc.). But I don't think that there should be a knee-jerk response to involve the AOA in every incident of personal discrimination. Are we going to have the AOA sic its dogs on people who don't know anything about osteopathy everytime we are misunderstood throughout our careers?

My advice to the OP: Get thicker skin and be confident in knowing that you are going to _medical school_ regardless of what some uninformed supervisor may like to believe. That is a huge achievement worthy of praise. Don't let someone's miunderstandings and bias about what a DO is take away from that.

 

[USArmyDoc]

Hey Guys,

I'm a student with disabilities and I'll be attending DO school in the fall. I was told by my prospective school's disability services office to apply for Dept. of Rehab. services, and the lady I'm working with at the Rehab. office is really nice. I turned in a lot of paperwork, and when the lady finally presented my case to her supervisor yesterday....her supervisor made comments like "Are you sure she is going to be a real doctor? That school's just a "herbal" school. She put down medical school, but she's not really going there cuz DO schools are not like real medical schools. The school is a "diploma mill." BLAH BLAH BLAH."

This was quite insulting, but I retained my patience and positive attitude by making it clear to the lady (she said she did NOT agree with her supervisor) what osteopathic medicine is, etc. Anywayz, I sent them a long email last night about DO schools, osteopathic medicine, admissions, etc. So hopefully the supervisor will UNDERSTAND and FINALLY LEARN what it's all about.

It just beats me that people can be SOOOOOOOOO ignorant. If they don't know, why can't they just LOOK it up online?? I told the lady this, and she said, "Well, they want the clarifications from you because it's your application and your career goal."

Anywayz, I just had to vent this out, and I'm prepared if they try to further discriminate.

I would love the look on her face when you stand over her in your white coat in 4 years while shes having a heart attack. At the same time, I would love to walk away and let her enjoy her time in pain because I am not a real doctor.

I know, I know I am very sadistic.

 

[davematthews]

My advice to the OP: Get thicker skin and be confident in knowing that you are going to _medical school_ regardless of what some uninformed supervisor may like to believe. .

I think her skin seems pretty thick, and from her actions sounds like she is plenty confident as well!

 

[fuzziefoo]

I think her skin seems pretty thick, and from her actions sounds like she is plenty confident as well!

i agree. you're awesome bluerose! never hate, always educate. peace and lots of love girl! you'll be a great doc! send a shout out to chem 194 for me! 😛

 

[nvshelat]

I know that. And sometimes the AOA is right to get actively involved (like if an MD program will not allow DO students to rotate there, etc.). But I don't think that there should be a knee-jerk response to involve the AOA in every incident of personal discrimination. Are we going to have the AOA sic its dogs on people who don't know anything about osteopathy everytime we are misunderstood throughout our careers?

My advice to the OP: Get thicker skin and be confident in knowing that you are going to _medical school_ regardless of what some uninformed supervisor may like to believe. That is a huge achievement worthy of praise. Don't let someone's miunderstandings and bias about what a DO is take away from that.

There is someone in a managerial position, representing an institution, trying to impede the progress of a student via discriminatory practices. I don't see it being different from at all from a MD program not allowing DO students to rotate through. I think we have to involve the AOA until the discrimination ends, otherwise people won't take us as seriously.

 

[gorgeousj9]

Hey OP, don't give up. Just don't show any of your emotions to that supervisor. BTW, I sent you a PM.


Also, for all you DO people. You will see, in a few more years, DO will be no different than MD's. We are the pioneers of a new era. So, keep your chins up. 🙂

 

[st. pius v]

I would love the look on her face when you stand over her in your white coat in 4 years while shes having a heart attack. At the same time, I would love to walk away and let her enjoy her time in pain because I am not a real doctor.

I know, I know I am very sadistic.

or....read her the long definition what a D.O doctor is and does and AOA definitions and by-laws while she's in pain....

 

[USArmyDoc]

or....read her the long definition what a D.O doctor is and does and AOA definitions and by-laws while she's in pain....

 

[bluerose786]

Hey Guys,

Thank you for your support and advice! I had given the Dept. of Rehab. some information about AOA, but I'd never thought of contacting AOA if I encountered discrimination. But I guess this is definitely a learning experience for me! I haven't heard from them since I emailed them....but hopefully, by next week, they should respond. Thanks for the support....which is sometimes hard to get in the non-SDN world🙂

Have a great long weekend!