Jill Biden, ED.D.

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A couple of my friends have been putting Dr. Biden down.  They say her doctorate isn't really worth much, she should not be called "doctor" because she is not an MD, only MD's should be called "doctor", her work to earn the doctorate wasn't really worthy of earning the degree, and the like.

I say she earned it, she can proudly and rightfully call herself "doctor".

What say ye?

1 minute ago, Tweety said:

[...]

My best friend is a PhD and does not refer to himself as Doctor M... outside of the classroom (he's actually retired now) so this is where I come from.   He says this is the case with most educators.

Completely agree.  And my understanding, not having a doctorate is consistent with this.  However, as she has earned a doctorate, if she wishes to be addressed as Dr. Biden, then this is how she should be adressed.

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Specializes in oncology.
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Your best friend is Doctor M...... !

Call him what his friends do, you included.

I didn't realize he knew what all educators preferred when they were in unique positions of an educational platform that could have an influence on our nation. I never heard that Jackie Kennedy was just "a college girl".    

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10 minutes ago, londonflo said:

[...]

I didn't realize he knew what all most educators preferred.  

It has been my understanding that it was appropriate to address those with doctorate degrees as doctor in the professional setting.  Somehow, this practice extended into one's personal life as well. 

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Specializes in oncology.

I am not understanding what you are saying here, but a Medicine Doctor was a middle class profession until credentialing took over. A Doctorate from a University in English Literature, Theology, etc. has been established since the 1500s. 

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1 hour ago, londonflo said:

I am not understanding what you are saying here, but a Medicine Doctor was a middle class profession until credentialing took over. A Doctorate from a University in English Literature, Theology, etc. has been established since the 1500s.

I'm unsure as to whom you are directing this, however if it is to me, I'll try and clarify.  And thank you for bringing this to the discussion, as I understand it, the PhD has always been considered the senior academic degree.

It has always been my understanding that it was appropriate to refer to an individual with a doctorate degree as doctor in the professional setting.  For example, a physician would be called doctor in her or his practice, a professor would be called doctor in the academic setting, etc.  Somewhere along the line, this expectation to be called doctor crossed the boundary into ones personal life, outside of the professional setting.  

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Specializes in oncology.

Of course, our discussion here is involving US Medical and Academic Doctors but I always found it odd that male surgeons in the UK have been called Mr. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1119265/

 

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
2 hours ago, londonflo said:

Call him what his friends do, you included.

I didn't realize he knew what all educators preferred when they were in unique positions of an educational platform that could have an influence on our nation. I never heard that Jackie Kennedy was just "a college girl".    

It's not just his friends not calling him a doctor, it's how he conducts interactions with strangers as well.  For example when he goes to the medical doctor, (I've been with him when he couldn't drive due to injury) he signs in as his name and not Dr. M, or when he makes a reservation he uses his name rather than Dr. M.    He would be in a unique position to know more than I would what professors do.  Obviously he doesn't know what "all educators" prefer what to be called outside their professional role anymore than you do, especially if it's in a prominent public role.  Again, I defer to what Dr. Biden prefers, even if it's out of the norm.  

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Per Emily Post Ettiquite,

Professional Title Etiquette: When to Use Your Dr. Title

Doctor

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Socially as well as professionally, medical doctors, dentists, and other professionals are addressed by, and introduced with, their titles. People who have earned a Ph.D. or any other academic, nonmedical doctoral degree have the choice of whether to use "Dr." both professionally and socially.  If, when meeting people with doctorates, you're unsure how to address them, "Dr." is always correct.  If they'd rather the title be dropped, they will let you know.

It's more common for women to use the title "Doctor" socially as well as professionally than in the past.

There are many people with doctorate degrees who chose to use the title "Doctor" in both professional and social occasions.  Off the op of my head, these names Spring to mind that hold non-medical degrees but use the title "Doctor"  in both settings:

  • Dr. Martin Luther King
  • Dr. Henry Kissinger
  • Dr. Coretta Scott King
  • Dr. Zbigniew BrzezinskI
  • Dr. Condoleezza Rice

Fully support Dr. Biden using the title "Doctor"  when one has earned a doctorate degree, continues to practice as an educator AND is promoting their field of study.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

The only reason we are even having this discussion is because of the propaganda mill of right wing radio, cable television and social media.  The interested political operatives need to keep the voting base emotionally engaged.  

What's the next trivial social warfare topic going to be?

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36 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:

The only reason we are even having this discussion is because of the propaganda mill of right wing radio, cable television and social media.  The interested political operatives need to keep the voting base emotionally engaged.  

What's the next trivial social warfare topic going to be?

Yeah.  You can tell by all the conservatives weighing in on this important topic.  LOL 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
17 minutes ago, Beerman said:

Yeah.  You can tell by all the conservatives weighing in on this important topic.  LOL 

Sure. It wasn't a liberal that thought it was important enough to merit it's own topic...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
15 hours ago, Beerman said:

Yeah.  You can tell by all the conservatives weighing in on this important topic.  LOL 

It's an old topic started by the an opinion in the conservative leaning WJS

https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-there-a-doctor-in-the-white-house-not-if-you-need-an-m-d-11607727380

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