Medical schools have a tough job. On the one hand, it's their responsibility to train physicians. They have to make sure students know absolutely everything there is to know about medicine, that they're skilled in applying what they know, and that they are individuals of the highest ethical and moral caliber. A medical school graduate literally holds the power of life and death in their hands.
On the other hand, no one is perfect, not even doctors. And med students aren't doctors yet. At the risk of seeming redundant, they're students, and students are going to make mistakes. Indeed, the process of learning necessarily involves mistakes. So med schools have to walk a very fine line between supporting and encouraging students and serving as gatekeepers, making sure no one unqualified manages to bluff their way into the medical field. That's a tough balancing act.
Most schools get it right. Most faculty understand that you're going to make mistakes, and they make allowances for it. Every now and then, though, you'll run across an instructor or an administrator who takes their gatekeeper role just a little too seriously, someone who expects you to be perfect. When you do, it can be difficult to defend yourself. Medical schools don't make it easy to navigate their judicial processes, and you'll find that faculty and staff tend to close ranks. What do you do in a situation like this? How do you defend yourself and hang on to your career?
At the first sign of trouble, you contact the Lento Law Firm. The firm's Student Defense Team knows the kind of pressure you're under. We're dedicated to making sure your school treats you fairly and that you have every reasonable opportunity to earn your MD. To find out more about what we can do, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
Two Reasons for Dismissal
Let's start with the basics. Just what is it that can get you dismissed from medical school?
- Academic Deficiencies: First, you have to excel academically. Medical school isn't like your undergraduate education. There are no unimportant classes at Sanford. Every course and every clerkship matters. According to the Student Handbook, you must pass every course. Obviously, failure is a failure, but you should know that a D is counted as a “deficient” grade. The good news is that earning a deficiency doesn't necessarily mean you'll wind up dismissed from medical school. A D, for instance, and even some Fs, can be remediated. Failing to complete a remediation program, though, or earning multiple Ds and Fs is certainly grounds for dismissal. In addition, you can be expelled for failing to pass the USMLE after three attempts. Your academic progress is monitored by the Student Progress and Conduct Committee (SPCC), which is made up of twelve faculty members representing the twelve pillars of Sanford's curriculum. That committee has the power to assign remediation and to issue sanctions up to and including dismissal.
- Misconduct: Sanford Medical School doesn't just want to know you have the knowledge to be a doctor. They want to know you have the temperament as well. Physicians are among the most stressful occupations, and if there are any cracks in your personality, you can break apart entirely over the course of a career. That's why medical schools offer remediation for academic deficiencies but have little tolerance for misconduct. In fact, the Sanford Student Handbook actually mentions “professionalism” before it talks about coursework. Like every undergraduate and graduate student at USD, you absolutely must follow the Student Code of Conduct. In addition, you must abide by federal Title IX guidelines regarding sexual harassment. You're held to a strict integrity policy that forbids cheating and plagiarism. And, oh, by the way, you need to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism when it comes to ethics, patient care, and teamwork. If you lapse in any of these areas, you can find yourself looking for another career. There are multiple committees responsible for investigating and adjudicating allegations of misconduct, but ultimately, your student status rests, again, in the hands of the SPCC.
Defending Yourself
A failed class or an accusation of unprofessionalism doesn't have to doom your medical career. There are ways to defend yourself. In fact, Sanford has put in place a number of mechanisms designed to ensure you're given due process protections and a fair hearing. Those mechanisms can differ, however, depending on the specific nature of the dismissal threat.
- Academic Dismissals: From start to finish, academic dismissals are handled by the SPCC. This committee keeps track of your academic deficiencies and determines whether or not those deficiencies warrant dismissal. If dismissal is an option, the committee will invite you to attend its meetings, where you may make a statement, respond to questions, and rebut any evidence being used against you. In addition, you may appeal the SPCC's decisions by filing a grievance with the Dean of Medical School Education.
- Misconduct Dismissals: Academic dismissals are generally based on established facts—your academic performance and specifically your grades. Misconduct dismissals, though, are based on allegations, allegations that must be proven before the school can dismiss you. As a result, the process is somewhat more involved. Any time you're accused of a policy violation, the Code of Professional Conduct Committee (CPCC) conducts a full investigation to determine whether further action is warranted. If the committee decides there are grounds, it refers your case to the Code of Professional Conduct Board (CPCB). That board holds a hearing into the matter at which you may present evidence, call witnesses to testify, and raise questions for any witnesses against you. Only if the CPCB should find you responsible for misconduct are you referred to the SPCC for additional adjudication as outlined above.
The Sanford Student Handbook does not mention whether or not you are entitled to an advisor when defending yourself from dismissal. Whether or not you can bring your Lento Law Firm attorney to proceedings, they can play a crucial role in helping you mount your defense. Their job is to work with you to develop a strategy. They can also collect evidence on your behalf, draft documents, suggest witness questions, and even prepare you to present your case. More important than anything else, though, your Lento Law Firm attorney monitors your case and makes sure you're being afforded all the due process rights to which you are entitled.
The Lento Law Firm Can Help
You already know this, but it's worth emphasizing it again: in a dismissal case, literally everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent dozens, maybe hundreds of hours studying for the MCAT; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through demanding interviews. If the Sanford School of Medicine decides to dismiss you, all of that will have been for nothing.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. As should be clear by this point, judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and the playing field is not even. Plus, your school is decidedly not on your side in this instance. You need someone who is, someone who has your best interests at heart and who is willing to fight for those interests. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and has helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
