I am wondering if it is just as common for a DO to specialize in surgery as it is for an MD to do so. Are there the same opportunities for DO's to choose their specialties in this area?

I am interested in orthopedic surgery, but do not have the most competitive grades for an allopathic school.

Thank you for reading...

interesting...

I currently work as an osteopathic researcher and based on their philosophy, surgery is the last resort. But, there are DOs who do not utilize manipulation and work more like MDs. I don't see why a DO cannot be a surgeon if the 2 degrees are considered synonymous.

There are many D.O. surgeons throughout the U.S. the hospital I work at has at least two D.O. surgeons. There are no off limit specialties, if an MD can do it a DO can do it.

If you are a top notch student at a DO school and get top notch board scores then Yes...you can compete for both DO only surgical residencies and MD surgical residencies. The MD surgical residencies are very competitive, so most DO surgeons complete a DO surgical residency, which is pretty much the same and you are going to be board certified. There are numerous DO's however every year that get into very competitive MD residencies, including Neurosurgery...but to summarize...if you that drive, will, grades, and boards scores you can be a surgeon no doubt as a DO because they have their own surgical residencies and you can apply for MD ones...but if you are deserving..you will at least get into the DO if your chance of the MD are slim...

I have friends who are DOs (graduated within the past 2 years) who matched in both allopathic and osteopathic surgical residencies, and the hospital where I work has both MD and DO surgeons on staff. It all comes down to performance in school and on the boards -- you can do whatever medical career you want to do from an osteopathic school, as long as you can cut the mustard. Remember, if you want an allopathic residency you will probably need to take both sets of board exams, COMLEX and USMLE. If you just want to apply to osteopathic residencies, then COMLEX alone should more than suffice. Good luck!

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MS3/6 - Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria
M.S. (Health Sciences) - Brigham Young University @ Provo, UT
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