Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/2/2009

Question
Hello there,

I hope you are doing well. I am going to be starting school in June to become an Anesthesiologist and was wondering what the certain prerequisite courses are. I am just starting college so I still have to do my 4 years there and move on to medical school etc. Can you give me some help by letting me know what kind of prerequisite classes I will have to take? Also what made you choose this profession, what are the joys and can you make a good income working a 9-5 job doing this?

Thank you.

Answer
The only prereqs you need are those required to get into medical school. these include calculus, physics, chemistry, biology and English. As for income, medicine is generally not a 9-5 job. Hospitals work 24/7 so you need to be available at all times. Income is very good but you have to work hard and long hours to make good money (that is true in any profession).

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston