What are my chances of becoming a CT-surgeon, neurosurgeon, or dermatologist?(READ)

[Justin]

Not because I neccesarily want to be one of these specialists but because I care about the osteopathic profession and I want MD's and DO's to be viewed as equals by residency directors. I despise prejudice in any way, and denying someone the right to be considered for a certain residency or fellowship, when all else is equal (board scores,rec's, and research...etc.), is simply ignorant, unfair, and unwarranted. In my eyes it is similar to denying someone based on the color of their skin. What are my chances? They should be the same as an MD student but if they truly are not then we need to keep on promoting the osteopathic profession and educating the public about our unique philosophy and equality in training. Also, we need to break through to the last bastion of acceptance in some specialties and show those stogy, biased, and old-school residency directors that we are competent, ready to roll, and will not stand for anymore nonsense. Think about it, if someone was denied consideration for a program because of their ethnic backround then the potential for a law-suit could evolve, maybe osteopathic physicians should consider avenues of this sort until we are treated with the same level of fairness and respect.

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[jhug]

JUSTIN-

It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. Professor A. Dumbledore ••
As i started the application process i spoke with a few DO and many, many MD's about this-- they all had the same answer...if you take the opportunities that are given you and capitalize on them, you will go wherever you want! Through hard work-- and being the BEST at what you do-- you can do/be anything you want.
When we made mistakes on the field my soccer coach would always tell us "Good idea, bad execution!" You have good ideas-- and i agree totally with what you say.... but i truly feel that a lawsuit or pleading our case will only weaken the profession. We, as DO's, will do more by dropping the "better than you--I provide better health care than you" attitude and actually impress the world-- MD and patients -- with our ABILITIES. One school i interviewed at drove me nuts because they said every 15 min. "we are just as good as md's... you'll get just as good an education as md's... we aren't less than md's...this is comparable to md's"-- just drop it and show me!!!! In the words of eliza doolittle-- JUST SHOW ME!!!!! We will accomplish more good in SHOWING the "world" that we are for real than telling them, or taking them to court to prove it. Personally, I'd rather be in the O.R. than a court room anyway. Sure there will be people that don't like you because of the DO after your name, or the color of your skin or eyes, or your religion, or sex-- but someday, in lifes funny way, they will be under your scalpel-- and then they will realize...wow, this doctor is amazing! Just keep up the hard work, don't forget to live, and SHOW that you can do it. Let the rest take care of itself.

 

[Justin]

Well said, and I respect your opinion. But sometimes things have to be taken by force. Remember, discrimination is unacceptable in any way, shape, or form. I will not go around saying that I am just as good as an MD, as you said. I will let my actions speak for my profession. But this is America and if equals are not treated that way, as history has showed us many times, than we must look to a higher authority to see that justice is done. According to the constitution...... "all men are created equal". I understand that this does not mean equal in the literal sense but rather equality under the law. I truly believe that being proactive will yield much better results than being passive and allowing injustices to continue.

 

[cushing]

I truly believe that in the future as more and more of the "old school" physicians are phased out of their present positions...more and more of the coveted residency spots will be filled by whomever is qualified to take it...However, I think it will be a long time before you'll se a DO at Dr. Brem's house for sunday brunch