Jefferson Medical College was opened in 1824 in Philadelphia and is now the Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) at Thomas Jefferson University. More than 30,000 students have graduated with a medical degree from the institution. The school's principles include integrating basic science, clinical skills, and personal and professional development. Students exposed early and often to the clinical environment with seasoned mentors and adopt the patient-oriented approach of SKMC.
Aside from stringent academic performance standards, each medical school maintains guidelines for professionalism and academic integrity. Medical students should act decisively to reduce the risks of long-term consequences including being unable to access better residency programs and employment opportunities if disciplinary matters are left unresolved. It is crucial to retain an attorney-adviser that is familiar with mitigating these concerns and understands the process. He or she will protect your rights to due process and best interests and work toward a favorable resolution.
Common Examples of Lacking Professionalism
- Showing difficulties in managing and responding to stressful situations
- Exhibiting signs of lacking composure with patients
- Putting forth a mediocre or minimal effort
Professionalism is a basic attribute among those in the medical profession. It is demonstrated as competence in knowledge, communication, reasoning, and more. The SKMC Values and Honor Code explains that all students are held to high standards of “civility, honesty, and integrity” in all their activities.
Patients implicitly place their trust in those who practice medicine: therefore, professionalism is a primary focus. The Committee on Student Promotion (COSP) is to help ensure that each graduate of Sidney Kimmel Medical College meets “essential requirements of medical knowledge, skills, and attitudes.”
Dismissal
Academic dismissal is most common following unsuccessfully re-mediated courses or clerkships or students who fail a Comprehensive Exam that is necessary for promotion a second time. The COSP also is likely to dismiss students that fail to meet professional standards by demonstrating a lack of ethics, morality, and other character concerns. Those with egregious violations may be subject to immediate dismissal or be suspended in the interim if proceedings are pending.
Academic Remediation
SKMC states they should provide reasonable assistance to students that are struggling to correct deficiencies. When this is not practical, the institution expressed their obligation to withhold awarding a medical degree.
When a student fails a course, the COSP is notified and decides if remediation will be permitted. If so, an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) of remediation is established. Students that are unable to achieve the ILP are issued a failing grade.
Effective Advisory Attorney for Medical Students
Medical school is a rigorous process that consumes a student's time and often creates a massive amount of debt. Students facing suspension or dismissal can ill afford to stand idle in disciplinary matters concerning academic integrity, misconduct, or breaches of professionalism. Medical school students simply have too much at stake in these situations.
Experienced legal counsel functioning in an advisory role can potentially assist in strategy, negotiation, and ensuring your rights are protected. Having assistance from a seasoned adviser ensures the school's specific disciplinary processes are properly interpreted and that you are positioned to overcome these concerns. Attorneys at LLF Law Firm understand the potentially adverse outcomes and will act to support your best interests. Contact the LLF Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 for information.
