You expect your medical school education to be challenging. In fact, you want it to be challenging. A degree from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine means something. It means you've put in the work, that you've paid in blood, sweat, and tears to be among the best in your profession. It's reassurance to your patients and your community that they can trust you with their health—with their lives.
Of course, in a challenging medical school program, you can't be certain you'll make it to the end. Schools like Wake Forest can and do dismiss students who can't keep up academically or who struggle to meet the school's strict ethical and professional demands.
How do you make sure you're not one of them?
First, you find out all you can about dismissal at Wake Forest. Just what is it that can get you dismissed, and what procedures are in place that allow you to defend yourself?
Here's the thing, though: if you're facing dismissal, you don't want to try to take on your med school by yourself. You need help. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is here to provide that help. We know how medical schools operate: what it takes to succeed, where the dangers of dismissal lie, and who to talk to when you run into trouble. In fact, we've helped hundreds of students just like you fight dismissal and get their careers back on track. We believe in you and what you do; we want you to succeed, and we'll do everything in our power to make sure you do.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Let's start with the basics. Just what are the expectations at Wake Forest School of Medicine? What is it that can get you dismissed?
- Academic Deficiencies: No one wants to go in for a checkup wondering whether or not their doctor is fully qualified. Your first job, then, is to master medical school coursework and the practical application of that coursework. At Wake Forest, your progress is measured by Benchmarks and Gateways. As outlined in the Student Handbook, failing one of these usually means you'll be assigned a remediation plan. Should you consistently struggle to meet academic expectations, though, you can also be issued a warning, placed on probation, or dismissed.
- General Disciplinary Misconduct: Just as at any educational institution, you're expected to abide by certain standards of behavior. For example, Wake Forest University has an Honor Code that prohibits academic lying, cheating, stealing, and vandalism. Additionally, you are responsible for following the Atrium Health Center's Code of Conduct. You are subject to Title IX, a federal law that bars sexual discrimination and harassment on university campuses (See the Student Handbook). Any violation of these policies can potentially result in dismissal.
- Professionalism: Finally, the School of Medicine also holds you to high standards of ethical and professional behavior. For example, you're supposed to practice honesty, treat colleagues with respect, demonstrate trustworthiness, and maintain a professional demeanor. Here again, any failure of professionalism can result in dismissal from the program.
Fighting Dismissal
The judicial system at the Wake Forest School of Medicine can be confusing and difficult to navigate. That's one reason why it's so important you have an attorney from the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm by your side any time you're facing dismissal. Among other complexities, any single violation may be subject to multiple disciplinary processes. A charge of sexual harassment, for instance, comes under the purview of the university's Title IX Coordinator. However, it would almost certainly result in an investigation by the School of Medicine's Student Professionalism and Academic Review Committee (SPARC) as well.
- University Policies: If you've committed some form of academic, disciplinary, or sexual misconduct, you're generally subject to a university investigation and allowed to defend yourself at a hearing. At the hearing, you can offer evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine any witnesses against you. A Hearing Officer or panel then decides your case using the legal standard “preponderance of the evidence.”
- Academic Decisions: SPARC deals with all academic deficiencies. You have far fewer due process rights in these cases. Initial decisions are made solely by the committee and in closed-door sessions. Should the committee recommend dismissal, you are then allowed to appeal that decision. However, grounds for appeal are limited to procedural errors, a sanction that is too harsh, or the discovery of new evidence. In addition, you have just seven days to file an appeal once you're notified of the SPARC decision.
- Professionalism Complaints: Generally, issues of professionalism are handled by the School of Medicine's Honor Council. As with allegations of university policy violations, the Honor Council performs a full investigation, and you are given the opportunity to make your case at a formal hearing. Ultimately, the Honor Council only offers recommendations to SPARC. Here again, SPARC makes the final decision, and that decision is subject to the same rules of appeal as are academic decisions.
Unfortunately, Wake Forest does not allow students—even medical students—to bring an attorney with them to disciplinary meetings and hearings. That does not mean, though, that you should try to represent yourself. An attorney from the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can be invaluable in helping you prepare your case, from helping develop a defense strategy to working with you to collect evidence to coaching you in presentation methods. Most importantly, they can ensure your rights are protected at every step of the process and advise you what to do any time you are being treated unfairly.
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 Team.
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 can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
