Last week I received the most remarkable C.V. I've ever seen. The applicant claims no fewer than 65 earned doctorates! In addition to a B.Sc. (Hons) from the University of Bombay and an M.Th. from Ministerial Training College England, the tally is: Ph.D.'s--45. Most are from "International University," which has am Asian Section, European Section, etc., although there are some other schools with colorful sounding names. What could be more remarkable than earning Ph.D.s at the rate of 2 to 4 per year? How about 6 M.D. degrees, most from Open International University, Sri Lanka? Of course, medical school didn't slow down the pursuit of the Ph.D.s one bit. But this is a well-rounded renaissance man! He also has the following doctorates: Ed.D. (2 of them) DBA Sc.D DD JD Th.D. D. Litt. ND LL.D. D. Mag. (Dr. of Magnetotherapy). DTM (Dr. of Tibetan Medicine) DAMS (Dr. of Ayurvedic Medical Science) DHMS (Dr. of Homeopathic Medical Science). All of this was accomplished in 23 action-packed years between 1976 and 1999. But there's more. He put his education to work, claiming to have "successfully treated over 300,000 individuals" in practice. Given this background, it will surprise no one that he was "unanimously voted Physician of the Century" by medical associations and doctors in 137 countries after lengthy deliberations and by a very elegant proceess." This will display nicely with his "Peace Medal in Honor of Alfred Nobel" and his "Albert Einstein Medal--1st Class With Ribbon." In his spare time, he serves as the Representative in Oklahoma for the Knights of Malta. I'm afraid that I just can't find a position for this "Sir Doctor Professor." Strangely, he's not licensed to practice medicine in home state of Oklahoma. Could any of you use him? Christopher
65 doctorates in 23 years averages out to one doctorate earned every 4.25 months. This is indeed an accomplishment. Perhaps this applicant could build a website called Doctorate in 4 Months: I have done it 65 Times!.
His JD is from the same school as most of his PhDs: International University, European Section/Brussels. Silly me: I thought the JD was an American degree, and that Europeans received LL.B.s. His LL.D. is from Open International University, Alma Alta, and his thesis was titled, "The legal and ethical aspects of holistic medical practice." Look out! This guy knows about ethics! Christopher
LOL! And I felt guilty, having downloaded a "PhD" in Professional Wrestling from General Delivery University, attaching "Doctor" to my stage name / nom-de-plume back when I wrote a professional wrestling column for a small local newspaper! Anyway, I would point out two things here: 1) Just like there are many, to quote Dr. Bear, "less than wonderful" distance education programmes arising from unaccredited institutions, so too are there many questionable organizations claiming to be historic orders of knighthood. From working for the Catholic Church, I have friends who are legitimate Knights of Malta, and I would be very suprised if the SMOM allowed such an individual into their ranks. Full Disclosure: I belong to three respected Catholic fraternal organizations that use much of the ceremony and pageantry of knighthood, but which are not orders of knighthood. These are: 1) Knights of Columbus, 2) International Order of Alhambra, and 3) (if, God willing, I make my initation scheduled this month) the Knights of St. Peter Claver. 2) Having friends who are legitimate papal and English knights, the title "Sir" is only used by British males who belong to certain English orders of Knighthood. This is pretty strict. The Knights of Malta are a Catholic order of Knighthood, and one who belongs to the SMOM would not use the title "Sir" even within the order. JCL (aka Dr. Mark D. Mouth, PhD -- cultured professional wrestling critic who is smarter, wiser and better educated than all you embryonic baboons who cheer those pretty boys!)
Apparently there are Knights of Malta, and Knights of Malta. This is not the Sovereign Miliatary Order of Malta--it's "The Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, The original Historic and Hereditary Order." Of course, Americans are forbidden to use titles such as "Sir," as the founding fathers despised such things. So, it's not the SMOM we're taling about, but the SOSJ, to use the designation from the C.V. I'm sure everyone will take comfort in the fact that the page in question bears a large red seal (it's a color photocopy), as well as assurances from a fellow knight that it is "bona fide for personal use." So, there are mills for would-be knights as well as would-be doctors. My personal favorite in this document is the "other" Nobel prize!
Ya know, it's numbnuts like this guy (the one with 65 degrees) that give the field of holistic medicine such a bad reputation. No wonder so many people are skeptical of nontraditional approaches to medicine when there are so many looney tunes out there making this sort of claim. Sort of reminds me of the "naturopath" I ran into at a trade show in Los Angeles who proudly told everyone within earshot that he was a "Board Certified Naturopath". Too bad there *isn't* any legitimate body to confer board certification on naturopaths. I think this guy's board certification was from the one-man operation in Texas which accredits the Clayton College... from which the one-man-accreditor got his own degree. But how *anyone* could think that there would be any credibility in claiming dozens of MDs and Ph.D.s is beyond me.
Agreed. I mean, what the heck would one need multiple MD's for? And of what use are these multiple MD's is none of them prepare you to practice medicine? JCL
Tsk, tsk, tsk. What bald jealousy. Just because one chap can earn 65 doctorates without the effort impinging upon his other pursuits, while many of us can't quite manage 1 or 2 is no reason to question their legimitcy. I'm sure his first or second Ph.D. took a while to complete. But then, when he developed a rhythm and good study habits, I'm sure the rest got easier & easier to obtain. Not only do I have complete faith in the doctors's ability, but I'm willing to put actions behind my words. If we can come to some sort of arrangement, I have a list of people I would be happy to pay him to administer to. My supervisors, several members of my chain of command, a few acquaintances, most of the people I meet on the subway ... Cordially, Richard Kanarek
