in Iraq, but we do NOT allow doctors from India to Gas our patients
just because they have a "specialized Degree in anesthesiology" --
they must prove it.  Just think of it . . . think of an American patient
having Shiva invoked for the success of the anesthesia.

No, you will be examined, and examined, and take tests, and Examined
and your faith will NOT get in the way of medicine, not in the USA.

For what's it's worth, I once had a doctor banned from the operating
table in the USA for scaring the  S*** out of patients by his religion
similar/same faith as our present, resigning Attorney General.  He
insisted on having prayer services before the surgery started, and
certain patients, such as buddhists, resented the hell out of that.

So, back to your question.  NO.  All doctors from India must adhere
to USA concepts, laws, customs, etc.  That includes doctors from
elswhere in the world.

In order to practice as a board certified anesthesiologist, a foreign
medical grad has to pass the ECFMG licensing exam, then has to complete
ananesthesiology residency and pass the anesthesiology board exam.

However, if a doctor passes the ECFMG, he/she can practice medicine in the
US, assuming they can get a state license somewhere (which usually would
require 1 year of internship). They could do anesthesiology, or any other
specialty to the extent they can get priveleges from the hospital where they
intend to practice. It would be unusual these days, however, for a hospital
to grant hospital priviliges in a specialty to someone who is not board
certified or board eligible. Such doctors could open up their own clinic and
practice independantly of a hospital, but that is naturally not feasible for
someone to practice anesthesiology, which is a practice that is generally
hospital-based.

Short answer, your friend is wrong.

HMc