How Do You Write MD PhD After A Name?

How Do You Write MD PhD After A Name?

Listing someone with both an MD and PhD correctly isn’t complicated once you know the rules. Here’s the quick version: put the degrees after the name, separated by commas. Honestly, this is the cleanest approach for most formal documents.

How to Format a Dual Degree in a Name

Start with the surname, then add the credentials in this order: MD first, followed by PhD, each separated by commas. The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests this format because it shows the order in which the degrees were earned.

Here’s the thing: don’t use internal punctuation like MD-PhD. The American Medical Association explicitly advises against it. Save the en dash (MD–PhD) for when you’re specifically referring to the dual-degree program itself.

How to Address Someone in Correspondence

No matter how many degrees appear after the name, the salutation stays simple. The GrammarBook folks confirm that “Dr.” covers all doctoral degree holders—whether their doctorate is in medicine, philosophy, or anything else.

That said, if you’re writing to someone with only a PhD in a non-medical field, you might occasionally see “Dear [First Name] [Last Name]” in less formal settings. But in professional correspondence? Stick with “Dr.”

When to Use Periods in Credentials

Style guides can’t seem to agree on this one. The Associated Press Stylebook (2026 edition) says skip the periods (MD, PhD), while the Chicago Manual of Style still allows them when clarity demands it. For formal documents, pick one style and stick with it throughout.

(I generally prefer no periods—it looks cleaner and keeps things consistent.)

Hierarchy of Doctoral Degrees

These aren’t interchangeable credentials. The MD grants medical licensure—meaning you can prescribe drugs and perform procedures. The PhD, on the other hand, certifies original research capability and doesn’t authorize medical practice. An MD–PhD program typically takes 7–8 years and trains physician-scientists, as recognized by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Who Can Use the “Dr.” Title

In the U.S., this includes:

• PhD holders in any field
• Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Dentists (DDS, DMD)
• Veterinarians (DVM)

Now, here’s where things get culturally interesting. In the UK and Ireland, surgeons traditionally use “Mr.”, “Ms.”, or “Mrs.” instead of “Dr.”, even after completing medical training. The British Medical Association notes this reflects centuries-old convention rather than any lack of qualification.

Common Post-Nominal Confusions

See those extra letters after a surgeon’s name? FACS stands for Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. It’s a professional credential earned through peer review and continuing education—not another degree.

Other common confusions involve professional doctorates like the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Education (EdD). These are advanced degrees, sure, but they’re not PhDs. The American Psychological Association makes this clear: a PhD prioritizes original research, while an EdD focuses on applied practice.

Salary Differences Between MD and PhD Roles

Money talks, and in this case, it speaks volumes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that physicians and surgeons earned a median $229,300 in May 2024. Meanwhile, postsecondary teachers with PhDs pulled in $85,690 during the same period. The gap reflects both the extended training required for medical licensure and the different career paths these degrees enable.

(I’m not saying money should drive your career choice—but it’s worth considering.)

Can You Combine MD with Other Degrees?

Some physicians stack additional credentials like an MBA or JD. When you do this, follow the same comma-separated format you’d use for MD, PhD. For example: Jane Smith, MD, MBA or John Doe, MD, JD.

The key is consistency. Once you start adding multiple degrees, alphabetical order isn’t the rule—the order in which they were earned takes priority.

How Do European MDs Differ from U.S. MDs?

In many European systems, the MD is an undergraduate degree earned directly after secondary school. That’s quite different from the U.S. model, where you complete a bachelor’s degree first, then attend four years of medical school. The European approach generally compresses this into a single, longer program with earlier patient contact.

That said, both paths lead to equivalent medical licensure—just delivered on different timelines.

What About DO Instead of MD?

Don’t let the “osteopathic” label throw you. DOs receive the same medical training as MDs, plus additional instruction in musculoskeletal manipulation. They can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and specialize in any field. The American Osteopathic Association confirms that licensing exams and board certifications are identical for both degrees.

(Honestly, the only real difference is the philosophy behind the training—and even that’s shrinking as curricula converge.)

How to Handle Multiple Credentials from Different Countries

Encountered a Dr. med. from Germany or an MBBS from India? Use the original abbreviation first, then clarify in parentheses if the audience might not recognize it. Example: Hans Weber, Dr. med. (MD equivalent).

This approach respects international standards while ensuring clarity. Just don’t mix abbreviations from different countries in the same list—that gets messy fast.

When Should You Drop the “Dr.” Title?

Unless someone specifically tells you otherwise, always use “Dr.” for anyone who holds a doctoral degree or medical license. Even in academic settings, dropping the title can come across as dismissive.

That said, in a purely social context—like a wedding invitation—some PhD holders might prefer first-name basis. When in doubt, ask. Most people will appreciate the consideration.

How to List MD PhD on a Business Card

Business cards prioritize readability, so keep the format clean and consistent. Center the credentials below the name in a slightly smaller font. Avoid stacking them vertically—that wastes space and looks cluttered.

Pro tip: If space is tight, you can drop the periods (MD, PhD) to save a few characters. Just make sure you’re consistent with the rest of your branding.

What If Someone Has an MD and a Non-Doctoral Master’s?

Master’s degrees don’t carry the same weight as doctorates, so they come after the MD. The order reflects both the level of the credential and the typical sequence in which professionals earn them.

Example: John Lee, MD, MPH tells colleagues he’s both a practicing physician and a public health specialist. The MPH isn’t redundant—it signals additional expertise.

Can PhD Holders Use “Dr.” in Medical Settings?

A PhD in a biomedical field might technically qualify for “Dr.”, but patients often interpret it as MD. If you’re working in a clinical environment, be prepared for questions. Some PhD researchers in medical schools even go by their first names to avoid the assumption.

(I’ve seen this cause awkward moments more than once.)

How to Cite an MD PhD in Academic Writing

Academic journals follow the same conventions as business documents. List the degrees after the name, separated by commas. If the journal uses a specific style guide (APA, Chicago, etc.), check its rules for periods in abbreviations.

Example in APA style: Smith, J. (2023). Title of paper. Journal Name, volume(issue), pages. The degrees don’t appear in the in-text citation—just in the byline of the published article.