Medical schools have incredibly high expectations, and you're not just attending any medical school. You're enrolled at Yale School of Medicine. It's not just that you need to excel in the classroom, though that's definitely true. In addition, your personal and professional behavior has to be above reproach. Mistreat a patient, or make an inappropriate comment to a colleague, and you could find yourself looking for a new career. That's a lot of pressure.
Luckily, you don't have to handle that pressure all on your own. The Lento Law Firm is here to help. What can we do? We're defense attorneys, seasoned litigators with years of experience. We don't just work in the courtroom, though. We're dedicated to helping students. We know what the law has to say about education. We also know how the Yale School of Medicine operates. And we're prepared to use what we know to help you.
If you've got a problem, if someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, you can't take the situation lightly. Call 888-535-3686 or reach out online, and find out just what we can do to protect your future.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Most dismissals from medical school happen for one of two reasons. Either a student can't keep up academically, or they commit some form of misconduct.
- Academic Deficiencies: Academics in med school aren't like your undergraduate days. Success isn't just about keeping your GPA up. Every course, every unit, is essential, and your every move in the classroom is monitored to ensure you learn absolutely everything you need to become a doctor. The Yale School of Medicine's Academic Standing policy doesn't even bother talking about grades:
“A student loses good standing when the Progress Committee places the student on Academic Probation, Suspension or Dismissal.”
Translation: you're in academic trouble when the Progress Committee says you're in academic trouble. For the most part, the Yale School of Medicine wants you to succeed, and they'll work with you when you're struggling. If you can't master the material, though, dismissal is always a possibility.
- Misconduct: As a medical student, your behavior is under just as much scrutiny as your academic work. Like any other Yale student, you're subject to the university's Code of Conduct as well as federal Title IX restrictions on sexual misconduct. The School of Medicine has its own policy on academic integrity. Beyond all of these policies, you're also expected to meet the school's standards of professionalism—to keep a professional demeanor, learn to resolve conflicts, and demonstrate respect for others. Professionalism extends beyond the campus as well. Keep in mind that any criminal conviction—even for something as minor as a DUI—can result in dismissal from the medical program.
Promotion decisions—including issues of dismissal—are ultimately in the hands of the Yale School of Medicine Progress Committee. However, other bodies have the authority to dismiss you as well, including the University itself, the university's Title IX Coordinator, and the Provost's Office of Academic Integrity. Indeed, one reason it's so important to have help from a Lento Law Firm attorney when you're dealing with dismissal is because the disciplinary system is so complex.
Fighting Dismissal
The good news is, you always have the right to defend yourself, no matter what type of dismissal you might be facing. How you defend yourself, though, can depend on your specific situation.
- Progress Committee Decisions: The Progress Committee handles all issues of academic standing, including those related to ethics and professionalism. It makes its decisions regarding student sanctions in closed-door sessions. However, if the committee is considering dismissal, you're allowed to submit documentary evidence in support of your candidacy and even to appear in person before the committee.
- Academic Integrity Decisions: The Office of the Provost maintains an Inquiry Committee to deal with allegations of academic misconduct. As part of this committee's investigations, you'll be allowed to submit evidence and to provide your own version of events. There is no hearing process, but you are allowed to appeal the committee's decisions.
- University-level Disciplinary Misconduct: Yale maintains an Executive Committee to deal with misconduct issues. As part of the process, you are entitled to a hearing, at which you may present evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions for any witnesses against you.
- Title IX Allegations: Sexual misconduct allegations are handled by the university's Title IX Coordinator. Here again, you are allowed to make your full case at a formal hearing, but the rules and procedures of this hearing are dictated by the federal government rather than Yale itself.
Defending yourself from dismissal can be a scary prospect. No matter what procedures you're dealing with, you can expect them to be complicated and difficult to navigate. Your situation can be even further complicated by the fact that you can't always be sure which Yale office will have jurisdiction over your case. Even leaving all of this aside, it's no easy matter coming up with a defense strategy, deciding when to present a particular piece of evidence, or coming up with effective witness questions.
The bottom line is you need professional help any time your medical school is looking to dismiss you. The Lento Law Firm has years of experience helping students just like you get the fair treatment they deserve. They can develop your defense, work with you to find and organize your evidence, and even give you practice in making your presentation.
You never want to go into a dismissal investigation or hearing alone. A Lento Law Firm attorney gives you the best chance of getting the best possible resolution to your case.
Fighting for Your Future
If you're facing dismissal, you need to know 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 was built to help students. Our Education Law Team is 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.
