Question about LOR from soon to be retired physician

[orthomyxo]

The doctor I've been working with for the past ~2 years agreed to write me a LOR. I am non-trad so I'm taking a year (or two) to build my application before I apply. He feels it will be much more beneficial to me if he writes it once I am actually ready to apply, and I agree. The thing is that he's retiring very soon. I know LORs need to be on letterhead so I'm just wondering how that will work if he's retired. Would he just use the letterhead of his old practice or is that dishonest?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Naruhodo]

I don't *think* that this would be an issue. I had a retired physician write one of my letters, and although I never read it I believe it was one of the key factors in my med school application. It may be a slightly different scenario because it sounds like the doctor you have been working with is in private practice, versus mine was at an academic institution so he technically just became an emeritus prof (and could still definitely use the letterhead). But the point is that this physician knows you really well, and can speak to your qualifications for studying medicine. In my case, the doctor had a long and respectable career and so was able to weigh in on my qualities compared to various other people he mentored. As it worked out, I ended up at the medical school where he had done his residency training, which may be a coincidence...but who knows?

 

[965978]

In what capacity have you worked with him?

 

[Med Ed]

I know LORs need to be on letterhead so I'm just wondering how that will work if he's retired.

If you're clear with him about the need for AMCAS LORs to be on letterhead, here is what will most likely happen:

1. He'll use the letterhead of his old practice;
2. No one will care.

 

[orthomyxo]

No one will care except 1 or 2 OCD schools. The doctor can write on any letterhead, including his/her own personal/professional
“Jane Smith, MD”. Or no letterhead. The doctor will know to write “I am doctor Jane Smith recently retired from Jones Hospital...”
It is highly likely to be an issue.

More importantly, just to retierate that an LOR from physican OTHER than shadowing can be valuable, particularly in the capacity of an employment supervisor

Perfect, thank you! I think this will be a really valuable LOR so that's a relief.