How to Address an Osteopath
How to Address a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
The rule is either ‘Dr.‘ before, or the post-nominal abbreviation for their degree after. Never both at the same time.
—-Envelope or address block on an email:
—-—-(Full Name), DO
—-—-(Name of practice, hospital, or clinic)
—-—-(Address)
—-Envelope, social:
—-—-Dr. (Full Name)
—-—-(Address)
—-—-—-—-Note: it is never Dr. (Full Name), DO
—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Dr. (Surname):
Related Healthcare Links
-V——Chiropractor / Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
-V——Dentist / Doctor of Dentistry
-V——Medical Doctor / Doctor of Medicine
-V——Military Physician / Armed Services
-V——Optometrist / Doctor of Optometry
-V——Osteopath / Doctor of Osteopathy
-V——Podiatrist / Doctor of Podiatry
-V——Veterinarian / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
More Related Healthcare Links:
-V——Person holding a doctorate
-V——Pharmacist / Doctor of Pharmacy
-V——Psychologist
-V——Therapist
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
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How to Address a Doctor and Spouse
These forms work for anyone with a doctorate as well as physicians such as dentist, chiropractor, military doctor, veterinarian, optometrist, osteopath or podiatrist.
—–Avoid: Dr. John and Mrs./Ms. Kathleen Dexter
—–Avoid: Dr. Allyson and Mr. William Carley
#1) Same Surname
—-Envelope & Salutation:
——–Dr. and Mrs. John Dexter
——–(Address)
——–—-Dear Dr. and Mrs. Dexter,
——–Dr. John Dexter and Ms. Kathleen Dexter
——–(Address)
——–—-Dear Dr. and Ms. Dexter
——–Dr. Allyson Carley and Mr. William Carley
——–(Address)
——–—-Dear Dr. Carley and Mr. Carley
#2) Different Surnames
—-Envelope & Salutation:
——–Dr. Roger Fry and Ms. Jane Taylor
——–(Address)
——–—-Dear Dr. Fry and Ms. Taylor,
——–Dr. Lucy Khin and Mr. David Patel
——–(Address)
——–—-Dear Dr. Khin and Mr. Patel
– Robert Hickey How to Address an Optometrist
Related Posts:
——–—Couples: Private Citizens
——–—Couples: Christian Clergy
——–—Couples: Rabbis
——–—Couples: Military
——–—Couples: U.S. Officials
——–—Couples: Same Sex
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How to Address a Retired Doctor?
My friend was a physician but involved in a car accident and no longer practices. He is now retired and no longer has a state license. Can he still be addressed as ‘Dr. (Name)’? Can he still be listed with the post-nominals for his doctorate after his name?
—-—-—-– LW How to Address an Optometrist
Dear LW: How to Address an Osteopath
Retired doctors are still holders of ther doctoral degrees. They may not be professionally active – but they still have the rank of doctor and are still addressed orally or in writing as ‘Dr. (Name)’. These forms work for anyone with a doctorate as well as physicians such as dentist, chiropractor, military doctor, veterinarian, optometrist, osteopath or podiatrist.
—-The social form of their name is:
—-—-(Honorific) (Full Name)
—-—-—-Which looks like
—-—-—-—-Dr. William Smith
—-—-—-—-Dr. Amy Thompson
—-The official form of their name is still:
—-—-(Full name), (Post Nominal for their degree)
—-—-—-Which could look like
—-—-—-—-William Smith, M.D.
—-—-—-—-Amy Thompson, Ph.D.
– Robert Hickey How to Address an Optometrist How to Address an Osteopath
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
How to Address a Physician Who Lost His License?
I am involved in a case where the person on the other side is a physician who lost his license, with good reason, in every state in the US where he ever held one. Should this person still be addressed and referred to as Dr. Last Name? (i.e. Dr. Smith)
Various judges and attorneys have weighed in on this subject. A definitive answer from you would be much appreciated.
—-—-—-– S.B. in Chico
Dear S.B., How to Address an Osteopath
I say he continues to be addressed as Dr. (Name). But it is not an only-one-answer situation.
—-#1) He becomes Mr.: By custom, U.S. elected officials are addressed as the Honorable (Full Name), unless they are removed from office or leave in disgrace. There is no protocol police force out there to enforce it, but that’s the custom. So, if you think of it that way address as ‘Dr.’ would have to go away.
—-#2) He stays Dr.: The honorific ‘Dr.’ is not issued by the local medical society. The locality issues licenses to practice in their jurisdiction. Retired physicians who no longer maintain their license are still addressed as ‘Dr. (name)’. So, addressing as ‘Dr.’ is not limited to having a current license.
—-#3) He stays Dr.: One is a Doctor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is separate from having a particular job, like chief of staff at a hospital or chairman of the department of surgery. Those are offices one might be forced out of, but one remains a Dr.
—-#4) He stays Dr.: Doctors, ambassadors an military personnel all have been granted a rank. When one has a rank one is addressed by rank in both professional and social situations. E.g., a physician is addressed Dr. (name) while seeing patients (present as a licensed medical professional) at the hospital. On weekends, when he is washing his car in his driveway (not present as a doctor) he’s ALSO addressed as ‘Dr. (name)’.
– Robert Hickey How to Address a Chiropractor How to Address an Optometrist How to Address an Osteopath
Related Healthcare Links
-V——Chiropractor / Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
-V——Dentist / Doctor of Dentistry
-V——Medical Doctor / Doctor of Medicine
-V——Military Physician / Armed Services
-V——Optometrist / Doctor of Optometry
-V——Osteopath / Doctor of Osteopathy
-V——Podiatrist / Doctor of Podiatry
-V——Veterinarian / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
More Related Healthcare Links:
-V——Person holding a doctorate
-V——Pharmacist / Doctor of Pharmacy
-V——Psychologist
-V——Therapist
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.