Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School (AMS) is a private medical school established in 1811 in Providence, Rhode Island. It is the official medical school of Brown University and is the third medical school to open in New England. AMS is one of the top medical schools in the country, and students can look forward to a competitive and fruitful career upon graduation. But to benefit from all the medical school has to offer and graduate successfully, you must follow the guidelines maintained in the student handbook and professionalism policy. Failure to do so leads to multiple issues, such as dismissal, that negatively impact your future.
Medical school is a demanding phase of your life, where you must demonstrate professional and ethical behavior befitting your future profession. You must also maintain your grades and pass your program requirements to move on to the next training phase. Yet despite your best intentions, mistakes are part of the learning process as you gain knowledge and experience. Your professors understand this and scrutinize your performance to ensure you have what it takes to take on this challenging profession. But some mistakes are more severe than others and have heavier repercussions, such as dismissal. With all that can go wrong, you need the help of Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team.
Common Reasons for Dismissal From Medical School
Dismissal from medical school is a serious event that has short and long-term implications on your reputation and future. Although there are multiple reasons why medical schools may dismiss students, the most common relate to academic performance, academic issues, and lack of professionalism. If you consistently underperform in your program, it may raise concerns about your proficiency in becoming a doctor, especially if you do not improve despite remediation. Ethical and professional issues are also essential factors in your performance as you train to become a doctor. Since you are in a position of public trust, you must consistently demonstrate these qualities as you must apply them once you become a doctor. Although there are other causes for dismissal from medical school, these three reasons are the most common, making it necessary to avoid them to remain enrolled at AMS.
Adjudication Process at AMS
According to the Student Handbook and the Professionalism and Medical School Behavior Policy at AMS, medical students must demonstrate professional behavior to remain enrolled. The Medical Committee on Academic Standing and Professionalism (MCASP) oversees academic and behavioral violation matters. It may recommend sanctions like dismissal, depending on the issue. Any person who believes that a medical student is committing a violation at AMS must document it in a Professionalism Report Form. If this is the first instance, the case receives a review by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. After receiving the report, they discuss the issue with the accused and provide constructive feedback. However, if the matter is egregious, the Associate Dean may refer the matter to the MCASP. If there are repeated instances of unprofessional conduct and if the behavior breaches the Academic Code, the University's Standing Committee on the Academic Code and the MCASP impose additional sanctions.
The MCASP usually issues a Professionalism Warning if a medical student's behavior continues to cause concern. If not addressed satisfactorily, the MCASP issues a Professionalism Citation and includes it in the student's Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). However, if the violation is severe, the MCASP may skip the warning phase and directly issue a citation. If other unprofessional behavior occurs after the citation, the student faces permanent dismissal from the program. Unlike other medical schools, there is no formal hearing for these violations, and the MCASP has full authority to make sanctions decisions depending on the student's history and the nature of the violation.
Appeals Process
Fortunately, you can appeal the MCASP's decision for issuing a Professionalism citation. However, you can only appeal decisions such as dismissals. You may not ask to appeal an Academic Warning or Academic Probation status. To do so, you must send your request to the Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences within 72 hours of receiving their decision. Once the Dean receives the appeal, they review the case. Depending on the circumstances, the Dean may issue a new decision, appoint an ad hoc committee to review the case details, or uphold the sanction imposed by the MCASP. Once the Dean makes their decision, there are no further chances to appeal. Although an appeal does not guarantee that you will not face dismissal, you still have a chance to make an impression if you work with Attorney-Advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
With so much that can go wrong in medical school, sanctions can blindside you and leave you without a degree. If you receive notice of possible sanctions due to professional or academic issues at AMS, time is of the essence. Taking action immediately by calling Attorney-Advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team increases your chances of success. They have years of experience working with medical students nationwide, facing sanctions for unethical behavior, professionalism issues, and lack of academic progress. With their knowledge, experience, and attention to detail, you have strong allies when facing the MCASP at AMS.
Being a medical student is not easy, and challenges and obstacles may cause stress and anxiety. These issues may lead to lapses in judgments or mistakes that adversely affect your future. Don't let this mistake be why you cannot practice as a doctor. If you or someone you love face dismissal from AMS due to academic deficiencies, professionalism, or ethical issues – there is still hope. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 for a detailed and confidential discussion about your case and the next steps.
