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American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry

September 2, 2021

How Medical Training Teaches Doctors to be Financially Unhealthy

I recently unearthed all my pay stubs from residency, including the first one — all $89.14 of it.

Sadly, many wonderful, skilled physicians never get to that point (of financial security) but instead remain, like indentured servants, working from a place of financial obligation.

The ugly truth is that medical school taught me financial dependence, not independence.

The quotes above come from Dr. Elizabeth Hughes, Dermatologist.

Read the full article on KevinMD.com

How medical training teaches doctors to be financially unhealthy

Comments are welcome and can be sent to editor@abcmo.org for publication under the author's name.

September 2, 2021
Filed Under: Reflections

ABCMO News, Updates & Editorials


Email Updates

ABCMO News

  • ACMO Exam Scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026
  • The Journal of Medical Optometry – First Edition
  • A Reminder to VA Residents
  • Background Information – Article 19 – Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
  • Dr. Charles F. Mullen Joins ABCMO as Special Advisor to the Board

Reflections – Editorials and Articles of Interest

  • Specialization and Subspecialization
  • Ophthalmology Workforce Expected to Decline
  • 10 Administrators for Every Doctor
  • What is Medical Optometry?
  • A Letter to VA Optometry Residency Coordinators: Benefits of ACMO

Comments are welcome and can be sent to editor@abcmo.org for publication under the author's name.

Certification Requirements

The following are in addition to an O.D. degree from an accredited North American school or college of optometry and a current state license to practice.

Residency: Completion of a full-time, ACOE (or equivalent) accredited, postgraduate clinical residency training program having major emphasis on medical optometry.

ACMO Exam: Passage of the Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry exam (or equivalent) offered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Practice: Documented significant practice of medical optometry for a minimum of two years immediately prior to application for certification.

The Practice requirement is waived in the two years immediately following residency training.

Complete Application and Requirements

Recognized by the American Board of Optometry Specialties

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