The ideal degree?

Question

I'm working to become a pediatric thoracic surgeon (in lamens terms: a childrens heart surgeon).

I am heavily considering a doctorate in Physiology/ anatomy, but I have also considered biology, organic chemistry or a more specialized doctorate such as a degree in childrens surgery, etc.

I'm still in highschool, so i have no idea about the offered degrees at medical schools, though I have done extensive research at my preferred collages' websites. (Duke, Columbia, Johns Hopkins), but I have no clear grasp on my situation.

So advice on what I should doctorate in would be EXTREMELY appreciated. And I was wondering if you can in fact get specialized doctorates (I'm sure you can but I'm not 100% positive).

Thanks =)

Answer 1

To become a pediatric thoracic surgeon, you don't get a PhD. You have to first get a BS degree in anything you want, except you have to cover the science requirements for med school. Then you go to med school for 4 years to train to become a medical doctor. After you get your MD degree, you go into the general surgery internship (2 years), then you do a residency in thoracic surgery (4 years), with an additional subspecialty in pediatrics (probably another 1 year). It will end up being at least 15 years of schooling/training (past high school) before you'll be certified to practice on your own. If you're still set on a PhD, you can get an MD-PhD (about 7 years instead of 4 years med school). Usually people only do this if they plan on doing medical research. It's a very difficult path you've chosen, so be sure that it's definitely what you want. Good luck.

Answer 2

You look very ambitious in a good way.

There is no doctorate degree in pediatric thoracic surgery. Passing in Med school followed by successful completion of internship fetches you a general M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree.

If you are really interested in pediatric surgery, you could follow this with residency in surgery & fellowship in pediatric cardiac surgery. To best of my knowledge, highest degree offered in most of the super-speciality surgical fields is MCh.

Some people are offered honorary doctorate based on their work in the subject field though.

About doctorate in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry (any non-clinical subjects for that matter) you don't necessarily need to go to med. school. It is Bachelor's (or master's ) followed by PhD. in related field.

However, it's all long way to go and you can always go for dual degree like M.D. PhD but it is usually done in same or related subjects.

Anyways, all the very best in your academic endevors.