Licensed to Perform Surgery but Not Qualified to Clean Up Dog Poop

Yesterday, I wrote about how I found myself in the unemployment nightmare of the century. My former employer refuses to write me a letter for any kind of job – even one at an animal shelter. I have a license in medicine and surgery and above-average evaluations, but yet somehow they don’t think I am capable of picking up dog poop. It’s obvious that the decision to refuse to provide me with a letter of recommendation is a personal one. This decision is blatantly vindictive and unrealistic.

Because the Department of Employment Services has determined that I was fired through no fault of my own, I am collecting unemployment benefits. Despite the fact I have three CVs of varying lengths (one for clinical medicine, one for teaching, and one for research), yesterday I had to attend a mandatory employment assessment program (for people collecting unemployment) to learn how to create a resume. I wasn’t going to go into this with a salty attitude. I was determined to learn something here. This was a unique opportunity to take advantage of. I mean, really, how many doctors have stepped foot in this place? Medical school never taught a class on how to function as a poor person.

While I have been preparing to set up my own practice, I have been applying to and getting rejected from physician jobs because I have not completed residency yet. Doctors themselves barely know how their system works (many of the residents I have talked to didn’t even realize they could get their full medical license after intern year and most can’t list the qualifications for board certification). It is a confusing process. So, how do I explain to a room full of non-medical individuals that a licensed physician with a clean record can be stuck in a position where they can’t get a job?

Others in my position would be terrified to be here, but I did not feel so out of place. Unlike many doctors, I did not come from money. I grew up a five minute walk away from the projects. I wasn’t raised by an au pair and I wasn’t chauffeured to school. I didn’t get into med school through social connections. In fact, I’m the first doctor in my family. I think this is a big part of why I am so often told that patients relate to me more than other less approachable physicians. People can tell when their doctor thinks they are better than them and it makes for a barrier in healthcare. Some who are reading this might think they will never end up in this position - that they are above this. But, remember, you may be only one paycheck away from being unemployed.

I am able make friends with all sorts of people. Life is more interesting that way. I’m friends with brain surgeons, strippers, drug dealers, aerospace engineers, janitors, heroin addicts, convicts, astronauts, politicians, royalty, but not one of those qualities defines a person. Maybe the friend who is the aerospace engineer is also the friend who is the heroin addict. You can’t place people in separate boxes.

I arrived at the unemployment office 20 minutes early. “You don’t look like you belong here,” said the security guard jokingly. I opened my bag containing portfolios, folders, notebooks, and pencil case for her inspection. “You’re ready for business,” she giggled. I was ready and I was determined to learn something. I did. I learned that older people are advised to not put the year of graduation on their resume because age discrimination is rampant. I learned that you better be in a full suit during a Skype interview because the employer might ask you to stand up so they can see your full outfit. I learned that job offers are presented to veterans 48 hours before being released to the general public. I learned that 85% of people living in DC have a post-secondary school degree or higher. I learned that if you care for a sick parent, you can get a home health aide certificate and get paid to do something you were already doing. I didn’t sit in the back and roll my eyes thinking I am better than this. I sat in the front and learned things they never teach doctors. I learned about the real world and made new, non-medical, friends.

I also investigated the fact that I was determined to be eligible for unemployment benefits. This office gets plenty of people coming in asking for details as to why they did not qualify for unemployment benefits, but I think I might be the first asking for details as to why I DO qualify for unemployment benefits. They said during their investigation with my former employer, it was determined that I was fired through no fault of my own. I was quite sure my former institution cooked up some elaborate excuse for having fired me. It was reassuring that a government organization saw right through that. Hopefully others will too. I packed up my belongings with a smile and headed out.

I was stopped by the security guard. “When I first saw you I was like,” as she tilted her head, “what are you doing here?” “I may not look like I belong here but I have also been told I don’t look like I belong in the career I have chosen,” I explained. I have black stiletto nails and holes in my face where piercings once were. My title as doctor has been questioned numerous times because of the way I look. I asked her if she had heard the story of Dr. Tamika Cross (a young, black, female, OBGYN who was stopped from helping a man having a medical emergency on a plane because people didn’t believe she was actually a doctor). “I haven’t heard it but I believe it,” the guard said as she rolled her eyes. I told her I too am a doctor and she looked surprised. “But you are so young!” she said. “What is a doctor doing here?” I informed her that I was collecting unemployment after being fired in retaliation for having cancer and reporting my employer’s refusal to accommodate my medical appointments. “Are you okay now? I bet you can get a job at any hospital!” she cheered. I reassured her that I am healthy. I explained that I was being blocked at every angle from getting a job at a hospital and even at a doggie daycare. “We need more, different kinds of doctors, different ages, colors and attitudes. I hope you open up a practice soon because I need a doctor like you,” she said with a kind smile. My heart was warmed. Why don’t more people think like this? I want to live in a world where a young, black, female, physician isn’t stopped from saving a man’s life on an airplane.

Licensed to Perform Surgery but Not Qualified to Clean Up Dog Poop

Stephanie Waggel

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