I guess that I don't know what tonem said that was so offensive. It appears that he just does not know exactly what a DO is. He knew that he wanted to be a doctor, and like all of us before we understood that a DO was a doctor and equivalent to MD just different, he thought that the only way to achieve this was to become an MD. He then said that his ADVISOR said that he should consider DO, PA, or nursing school. All this did was further his thought that the only way he could be a doctor was to become an MD. He was showing her possible bias or maybe just lack of info not his (bias that is). He never overtly made a comment or even an inference that DO is somehow inferior, he was just speaking from his level of understanding. I have heard a lot about the need to increase the level of understanding of what a DO is and does. People are always askign for ways that the AOA can increase awareness, and many feel that they are dropping the ball. Well it seems that we are dropping the ball. We talk a lot about how as a DO, the emphasis is on the human side of medicine. From the fact that Tonem is here and offering advice and encouragement to those trying to get into school, he exhibits the same kind of caring spirit that we all would claim are do important in a doctor. I am not saying this to attack or offend anyone b/c this site has been a great source for me, and has moved me beyond seeing DO school as "just an alternative to MD schools" to my first option. I have learned so much, and appreciate all of the comments and insights, but I jsut thought that it would be better to give people the benefit of the doubt and give them the time, or at least the opportunity to learn what DO is all about. I hope you stay Tonem, b/c I for one am interested in your perspectives and hope that you can learn a little about do's your brother in medicine.
