The journey to becoming a physician is not glamorous. It is grueling. Acceptance into medical school requires sacrifice. Surviving medical school requires total sacrifice and endurance. Practicing daily requires an even deeper strength - the strength to forget yourself.
Very quickly you learn it cannot be about you. Not about "being a doctor". Not about titles, prestige, pride, or income. Not about debt. These are distractions. If you allow these in, you will fail - either by leaving medical school, quitting medicine altogether, or by becoming the kind of physician who cannot truly care for people.
Authentic medicine and taking care of others is a calling, not a job. It is silent and does not brag. It doesn't chase validation from others. It is the ultimate act of altruism. The return is on many levels - and automatic when practicing under a proper philosophy and positioning oneself properly.
True physicianship is about responsibility. Quietly, consistently, while selflessly showing up for patients - for the right reasons. The future Doctor of Ophthalmic Medicine (OMD), the Ophthalmic Physician, must embody this.
This is the foundation we must return to creating the Ophthalmic Medicine model. Our new physician class must be built on this same selflessness. Not corporate metrics or commercialized titles - for example, ODs now insidiously commoditized being labeled as "Eye Care Professionals" or ECPs. This is no different than hiring a person on the street corner and calling them an ECP. Like ophthalmology/surgery, the OMD will never become a commoditized ECP.
"A Foundation for The Ophthalmic Physician: Labs & Imaging for Primary Eye Care"
This cornerstone book lays the foundation to create a new specialty in medicine for qualified ODs, the Doctor of Ophthalmic Medicine, OMD. In addition to Labs & Imaging, access real-world secrets over decades of practice providing surgical services in an OD owned and controlled practice. Finally, you will learn integrative medical, surgical, & financial systems to boost practice profitability you will not find elsewhere.
Sign a Petition of Support calling on academia & legislators to help create an OMD pathway. I invite you to read, sign, and share the petition HERE:
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You can also join our new Ophthalmic Physician Platform & Community at ophthalmicphysician.com HERE:
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Thank you for supporting the mission!
"John"
John R. Martinelli, MD, OD, FAAO
Founder, The Ophthalmic Physician
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