If you have ever wanted to pursue a career in medicine or said, “Must be nice to have their job!” you might want to gather and consider some facts before being too quick to comment.
- Those desiring to be doctors will put in four years of undergraduate school plus four more years of postgraduate school.
- Then, depending on the specialty you choose, you will have 3-7 years residency which includes your Step 3 exam, Inservice exam, and Board Certification.
- Next, you will have 1-3 years in a fellowship where afterwards, you will take another test for Board certification.
- The cost of schooling and all that is involved will be $300,000 – $500,000.
- Very few doctor work a 40-hour per week job. Most are working closer to 50 hours with surgeons, cardiologists, OB/GYNs, hospitalists, pulmonologists, and urologists working between 50-60 hours.
- If you want to know which specialty pays the best, neurological surgeons make upwards of $700,000/year, followed by thoracic surgery ($675,000/year), orthopedic surgery ($612,000/year), plastic surgery ($550,000/year), followed by dermatologists and oncologists each maxing out around $420,000/year.1, 2, 3
- If you think that is a ridiculous amount of money, it’s nothing compared to the NFL where the 2025 salary cap was $279 million per player.4 Nobody actually received that. However, Dak Prescott, QB for the Cowboys is the highest paid player, making $60 million/year plus endorsements.5
No offense to Mr. Prescott but he has never done a thing for me. And he isn’t worth $60 million/year. NONE of the athletes are. Yes, the game is physical, and I know the athlete works hard, practicing to be their best — but it’s still a GAME. It’s not life or death. If Prescott throws a pass that is intercepted, nobody dies. If a lineman misses a block, nobody contracts an incurable disease. On top of this, the athlete gets PAID to be in the best physical shape of their life, surrounded by professional trainers and coaches, eating the healthiest foods, and treated as a celebrity.
In the past several years, though, I’ve had anesthesiologists, surgeons, oncologists, urologists, emergency medicine, and orthopedic doctors who have been there for me at all hours and have provided great care. Now, I can even add ophthalmologists to my list. And I cannot forget my local NP who is there to get the ball rolling with a diagnosis or to send me to the right place.
Also, let’s not forget the numerous nurses and others who were a part of the care teams. Their faces do not grace the covers of People, Sports Illustrated, Time, or Vanity Fair. They aren’t treated like celebrities. Nobody will fawn over them but I will sing their praises and celebrate them because today is…
National Doctors Day. “Winder, Georgia, observed the first Doctors Day on March 30, 1933. Dr. Charles B. Almond’s wife, Eudora Brown Almond, wanted to have a day to honor physicians. The community mailed greeting cards and placed flowers on the graves of deceased doctors on this first celebration in 1933. The red carnation is commonly used as the symbolic flower for National Doctors Day.”6
In all truth and fairness, I have not yet acknowledged THE Doctor who needs to be celebrated and honored. Exodus 15:26 says, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
The Hebrew term is Jehovah Rapha, and it serves as one of the special Old Testament references to God. He is the God that heals us. Ultimately, our healing comes from the Lord.
Sometimes, that healing is physical. David cried out in Psalms 6:2, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.” This was seen often in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
The healing might be emotional. Psalms 147:3 reminds us that “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Other times, the healing is spiritual. Psalms 41:4 says, “I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.”
God uses doctors and others in the healthcare profession to help in the healing process, whether it be physical or emotional healing. But God is the only One who can provide healing to a soul.
Today, let your heart rejoice in those who provide you with healthcare. Reach out to them with a card or note, thanking them for what they’ve done for you through the years. And, recognize our Jehovah Rapha because He is the ultimate healer of mind, body, and soul.
I close with a verse that has been poorly interpreted through the years by many. The healing that is mentioned has absolutely nothing to do with the body but of the soul. To interpret it as bodily healing is to take it out of its Old Testament context and to ignore its New Testament counterpart in 1 Peter 2:24. These verses clearly speak of the healing from our sins that is needed by us all.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
1https://www.physiciansidegigs.com/average-hours-per-week-doctors-work
2https://aspiringmd.com/how-much-does-it-really-cost-to-become-a-doctor-a-premed-to-attending-cost-roadmap/
3https://prepformedschool.com/how-long-it-take-to-become-a-doctor-for-every-specialty/
4https://www.si.com/nfl/complete-guide-player-salaries-earnings#inline-text-36
5https://www.si.com/nfl/highest-paid-quarterbacks-football-full-breakdown
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