Yup! I’ll give you the run down of where I’m at:
I graduated Medical School in 2013 from Oklahoma and went on to an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency in Shreveport, Louisiana (training in my chosen specialty). It was at this point I picked up the MD, but function as a State employee under supervision from other Orthopaedic surgeons.
I graduate Residency this year in June (most surgical programs are 5-6 years of training), and will be moving on to a Sports Medicine Fellowship in Cincinnati (one year). I become “Board Elligible” this year upon completion of Residency.
I sit for the written exam to become boarded (American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Part 1) in July, then sit for oral boards in two years (review/defend cases in front of a panel of surgeons, Part 2). If all goes well, I’ll be fully boarded and free to practice as an independent Orthopaedic Surgeon at that time.
In all, from high school to passing my boards, it’s roughly 20 years of education and training. As you can imagine, I’m looking forward to being finished.