Stand with Jeremy and others to say that this is not okay.
Osteopathic physicians (“DOs”) have been excluded from training, career opportunities, and hospital privileges, to the benefit of allopathic, or medical doctors (“MDs”), since the profession was founded. There are two categories of physicians in the United States. Medical doctors, MDs, and doctors of osteopathic medicine, DOs. DOs and MDs have the same number of years of education and training, are required to pass similar licensing and board certification exams, and are required to be licensed in the state they practice. Only DOs and MDs can practice medicine in the United States, and both are referred to as doctors. Yet, DOs have a stigma; DOs experience discrimination by patients, hospitals, schools, training accreditation organizations, and board certification entities even though they have similar training and qualifications as MDs.
Plaintiff, Dr. Jeremy Conklin, DO, is an accomplished, and skilled osteopathic surgeon, with an impressive resume. Dr. Conklin is a veteran and served his country as an osteopathic physician and surgeon. Dr. Conklin’s education, training, and board certification were never questioned by the service members or the families he attended. Dr. Conklin wants to become a pediatric heart surgeon, but he cannot. Despite his qualifications, the UW will not admit him to the pediatric heart surgery fellowship solely because he is a board-certified DO, and not a board-certified MD. Dr. Conklin has not been certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons, an MD medical board, which will not certify DOs.
This action is against Washington law. Washington law states clearly that a hospital may not discriminate against a DO solely for this reason. Morally, this is wrong, and doesn’t make sense. The discrimination against DOs needs to end. Stand with Jeremy and let UW and others know that discrimination against DOs is against the law and hurts patients. Please sign the petition.