Now we know why doctors go to school... I had an injured dwarf.  He was laying in the hospital languishing away with no doctor available.  Incidentally, he was the only dwarf available with any medical skill. I did what any sane fortress manager would do, I grabbed a jobless dwarf and sent him to work.  All seemed fine.  He dressed wounds, he sutured, he even performed surgery! With no training! My former medic was up and running around in no time!

So tell me.  Why was a surprised when he turned up dead two days later?  I think I'll re-name my new medic Dr. Nick.  I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually.