Sure, i'd be unhappy if I paid for taco bell I didn't eat.
Time for a little honestly though. It wouldn't take long to show any number of posts in which you try to make the AOA, Touro or D.O. programs in general look like crap.
This is just another reason for you to whine about the AOA. I got the letter. I didn't pay. I don't give a crap if they sent a letter to my program or not. I don't care if my program happens to pay or not.
It doesn't take much to make some people unhappy. Find something better to do with your time besides complain about everything.
#1 You may have noticed that it wasn't me who started this thread, nor the "whining." I simply confirmed that I too was annoyed at being billed for something I didn't want. Then you jumped in and decided to start making personal attacks, rather than comment on the topic.
#2 You apparently have not noticed that the last thread that I started was a thread PRAISING an osteopathic organization for their excellent policy decision. (
link)
#3 It is
behavior like yours that makes osteopathic medicine look like a group of thoughtless hicks.
I have raised specific concerns regarding specific issues about the osteopathic medical schools, Touro, the AOA and its education policies. Rather than simply inflate my own personal concerns with heresay, I have made the effort to cite leaders within our profession to substantiate my position.
For example, when Steven Shannon, president of the AACOM recently published,
The simultaneous movement away from osteopathic medicine's traditionally separate training and practice systems, when coupled with its rapid growth, has created a sense of crisis as to its future. The rapid rate of growth has raised questions as to the availability of clinical and basic science faculty and clinical resources to accommodate the increasing load of students. (
PMID 19474542)
Or I have cited studies published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, as here:
at graduation, 45% of new DOs reported that they were "turned off" by the osteopathic medical profession . . .
there is some consensus that many osteopathic medical students might not highly value the DO degree . . .
Many recent osteopathic medical graduates will state that they are either disinterested in or reluctant to embrace the DO difference.
(PMID 19654272)
In spite of my efforts to cite sources and use published data in raising my concerns about our profession, many DOs respond to any and all concerns raised about the AOA and osteopathic medicine with the same vitriol as you have.
Their bruised egos are trained to attack at the first suggestion that osteopathic medicine is anything less than perfect. The pattern of attack is always the same.
They attempt to undermine the speaker personally. They dismiss the discussion of legitimate concerns, and ignore the concerns. They suggest that the speaker is simply trying to "make osteopathic medicine look bad", implying or outright accusing him of being a "traitor".
I have done my best to raise concerns in a mature, informed and meaningful way that promotes change and growth for this troubled profession.
And no, I haven't always succeeded in that goal. But dude, I am trying.
Please end this petty bickering and name-calling. Please raise the level of discourse to the degree of professionalism and genuine investigation of which our profession can be proud.
If you agree that the AOA sending my employer a bill for a service I didn't purchase is whack, then say that.
If you disagree, that's not a problem, but do so in a respectful manner.
bth
