The Oakland University School of Medicine doesn't pull any punches. Its expectations are right there on the homepage. You have to “excel” academically. The school “immerses” you in a “diverse learning environment.” It expects you to begin a journey of “personal and professional development” that will last “a lifetime.” It wants graduates who “serve the needs of the local and global community.” These are all high standards.
You want your medical school to be demanding. The more demanding your school, the more impressive your credentials. More importantly, though, when you graduate from a program like the one at OUWB, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're prepared to practice medicine.
Just try to remember: we all make mistakes, even doctors. And you're not a doctor just yet. You're still a student. It's practically your job to make mistakes. How do you make sure, though, that a mistake—or two, or three—doesn't cost you your shot at a medical degree?
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is here to help. We are experienced in helping students recover from mistakes. We're committed to the proposition that mistakes don't define individuals and that they shouldn't stand in the way of your future as a doctor. We know how the OUWB system works. We know who you need to talk to when you run into problems and just what you need to say. Most importantly, though, we believe in you, and we're ready to put what we know to work for you any time you need us.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
No question about it: “Dismissal” is a scary word for any medical student. You've put in an enormous amount of hard work to get to this point, and you don't want to see it go to waste.
But let's challenge the fact of dismissal head-on. As a starting point, just what is it that can get you dismissed from OUWB?
· Academic Deficiencies: You came to Oakland University to learn. That means mastering coursework, and it means developing practical clinical skills. The good news is that OUWB wants you to succeed. To that end, the school doesn't dismiss you just because you've done poorly on an exam or even failed a course. Generally speaking, a failed course means you'll be assigned a remediation program or, in the most serious cases, asked to repeat all or part of an academic year. You should be aware, though, that failed remediation is grounds for more serious sanctions, up to and including dismissal.
- Professional Misconduct: The OUWB faculty and administration are far less forgiving when it comes to lapses in professional judgment. You're training for a position in the public trust, and that means the school can't afford to let any misconduct slide. Actions such as breaking patient confidentiality, misusing medications, and insubordination are subject to the harshest sanctions. In most cases, that means dismissal.
All progress decisions regarding both academics and professional conduct are in the hands of the school's Student Performance Review Committee (SPRC). This committee meets annually to make promotion decisions and, on an ad hoc basis, to respond to allegations of professional misconduct.
Finally, like any Oakland University student, you are subject to rules about academic honesty, general disciplinary conduct, and sexual misconduct. A violation of any of these policies can also result in dismissal. Generally speaking, university offenses are handled through university processes—investigations and hearings. However, you can expect the SPRC to undertake its own review of any allegations.
Appealing Dismissal
OUWB is a formidable institution with a great deal of authority, but it can't dismiss you without providing you with due process protections.
- Initial decisions are in the hands of the SPRC, and students are not invited to attend meetings.
- However, committee members who may have a conflict of interest in your case are supposed to recuse themselves.
- The committee can issue a variety of sanctions, including
- Letter of concern
- Remand for remediation
- Repeat of an education experience
- Probation
- Letter of reprimand
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Once the committee has made its decision, you then have five days to request a hearing before the committee for reconsideration of the matter.
- You are allowed to review all documents relating to your case.
- At the hearing itself, you have the opportunity to make clear your side of the situation.
- The committee then makes its final decision in a closed-door session.
Unfortunately, no one is allowed to accompany you to OUWB hearings. That means you cannot bring counsel with you. That doesn't mean you should go into a dismissal situation on your own. You need the best help you can get in preparing your case. You need someone from the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. We can work with you to gather evidence, help you review documents, work with you to craft a defense, and even coach you in presentation techniques. Most important of all, we can monitor the situation and make sure none of your rights are violated.
Fighting for Your Future
Make no mistake: if you're facing dismissal, 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. The threat of dismissal puts all of that in jeopardy. It means having to look for a new career. It means having to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans without a medical degree to help you do it.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. Judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and your school is 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 want an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team was built to help students. The firm's attorneys know the law as it applies to education. They also know how campus judicial systems work. They're highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and have 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 Team can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
