What Do All The Titles Mean?

ring the Alphabet Soup of Medical ProfessionalsGP - General Physician
InitialsHMD - Homeopathic Medical Doctor
If youve ever wondered what the meaningsIBCLC- International Board Certified Lactation
are behind the letters and abbreviations at theConsultant
end of your healthcare practitioners name,ICCE - Certified Childbirth Educator
youre not alone. Beyond the commonly knownICPE - Certified Postnatal Educator
credentials, MD (medical doctor), RN (registeredLAc - Licensed Acupuncturist
nurse) and PA (physician assistant), there is aLCCE- Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
litany of titles that signify a medical professionalsLCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
specialization, training and professional affiliations.LM - Licensed Midwife
Chances are, as a patient, you know whichLMA - Licensed Masters of Social Work, Adv
ailments your doctor or medical professional isClinical Practitioner
capable of treating. However, the medical apparelLN - Licensed Nutritionist
industry is tasked with understanding medical andLNC - Licensed Nutritionist Counselor
technical titles to best serve their clients, whoLNHA- Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
wear lab coats and medical scrubs in clinicalLPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
settings, at the hospital, in laboratories and at theLVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse MA - Medical
office. Lab coats typically bear the names andAssistant
titles of their owners, who are educated andMAc - Masters in Acupuncture
trained in their chosen profession. When orderingMD - Medical Doctor
lab coats and scrubs as gifts for graduation, whiteME - Medical Examiner
coat ceremonies or for the holidays and birthdays,MHSc - Master of Health Science
its important to obtain the recipients correctMNNP - Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner
title before it is embroidered on the coat. TheseMPH - Master of Public Health
abbreviations can sometimes be found on aMS - Master of Science Degree
clinicians business card but to ensure that youMSN - Master of Nursing
have the right title before ordering, check the listMSW - Master of Social Work
provided below.ND - Naturopathic Doctor
A Summary of Common Medical ProfessionalNMD - Naturopathic Medical Doctor
TitlesNP - Nurse Practitioner
CDE - Certified Diabetes EducatorNP-C - Nurse Practitioner, Certified
CNM  Certified Nurse MidwifeOB/GYN - Obstetrician who is also a Gynecologist
CPT - Certified Phlebotomy TechnicianOCN - Oncology Certified Nurse
DHM or DHm - Doctor of Homeopathic MedicineOD - Doctor of Optometry; Optometrist
DMD - Doctor of Dental MedicineONC - Orthopaedic (Orthopedic) Nurse, Certified
DMFT - Doctor of Marriage and Family TherapyOPA-C - Orthopaedic (Orthopedic) Physician
DDS - Doctor of Dental SurgeryAssistant, Certified
DO - Doctor of OsteopathyOT - Occupational Therapist
DOM - Doctor of Oriental MedicinePA - Physician Assistant
DPM - Doctor of Podiatric MedicinePA-C - Physician Assistant, Certified
DVM - Doctor of Veterinary MedicinePharmD - Pharmacy Doctorate
EMT - Emergency Medical TechnicianPhD - Doctorate Degree
EENT or ENT - Eye, Ear, Nose and ThroatPsyD - Doctor of Psychology
specialist (MD)PT - Physical Therapist
EPC - Certified Exercise PhysiologistPTA - Physical Therapist Assistant
FAAD - Fellow American Academy ofRAc - Registered Acupuncturist
DermatologyRD - Registered Dietitian
FAAFP - Fellow American Academy of FamilyRDH - Registered Dental Hygienist
PhysiciansRDN - Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist
FAAO - Fellow American Academy of OptometryRKT - Registered Kinesiotherapist
FAAP - Fellow American Academy of PediatricsRN - Registered Nurse
FACE - Fellow American College of EndocrinologyRN-C - Registered Nurse, Certified
FACP - Fellow American College of PhysiciansRNCS - Registered Nurse Clinical Specialist
FACS - Fellow American College of SurgeonsRN/NP - Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner
FADA - Fellow American Dietetic AssociationRPA-C - Registered Physician Assistant, Certified
FAGD - Fellow Academy of General DentistryRPh - Registered Pharmacist
FAPhA - Fellow American PharmaceuticalRRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist
AssociationThere are some medical apparel manufacturers
FASHP - Fellow American Society ofthat offer online ordering of lab coats and medical
Health-System Pharmacistsscrubs. Medelitas web site offers custom
FNP - Family Nurse Practitionerembroidery on womens scrubs, lab coats and
FNP-C - Family Nurse Practitioner, Certifiednursing scrubs, for an additional charge.