[Avodah] Choosing a Frum Doctor

[Richard Wolberg]

Regarding what the Igros Moshe states with respect to choosing the kofer over the frum doctor, assuming of course, the kofer is superior.
What if there are two surgeons with the same scenario and everyone knows the inferior frum surgeon personally prays specifically before
every operation with extreme kavana and not only is he, shomer mitzvos but he is a boki shas, whereas the exceptionally competent surgeon
is an apikorus? How does this square with the efficacy of tefilla and merit, etc?