Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown campus (TouroCOM - Middletown) is committed to training future doctors who understand how important it is to provide quality patient care and who understand are dedicated to providing quality patient care to their communities. With such high hopes for their students, it is no wonder TouroCOM-Middletown is incredibly competitive. Sadly, no matter how much they want to become a doctor, some students will find it hard to cope with such a stressful environment, forcing them to act out of character. If you or someone you love has been notified of a remediation plan, disciplinary action, or a dismissal hearing, call an attorney advisor. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm can help you navigate these nuanced proceedings. Call our offices today to schedule a consultation.
Academic and Professional Conduct for Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown Campus
All schools in the U.S. hand out codes of conduct to their students at the beginning of each school year. Students understand that they are supposed to follow these conduct rules or face sanctions like academic probation, loss of privileges on campus, or even dismissal. At TouroCOM-Middletown, the codes of conduct cover not just academic expectations, but professional responsibilities as well. These rules include:
- Never abandoning a patient
- Having mutual respect and trust with a patient
- Maintaining patient confidentiality
- Help promote excellence in education and patient-oriented health care
- Maintain good academic standing
If a student were to disobey these rules, their file will be sent to the Student Promotion Committee (SPC), which will make recommendations to the student about remediation plans, disciplinary actions, and dismissal hearings.
Remediation at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown Campus
While most schools stick to one learning style for their students to comprehend the material, medical schools understand that most students learn differently. For instance, some do much better in a clinical setting where they can get hands-on experience, while others learn more in the classroom. As such, Touro-COM-Middletown has implemented a remediation program for struggling students, giving them the opportunity to retake an exam, clinical, or exam. At the end of each year, SPC reviews each students' record to see who is progressing through the program appropriately. If they see a student is having a hard, they will usually suggest a remediation program, which will take place in the summer following the academic year.
Once the student has successfully remediated, they will reenter the program where they left off. The hope is that by remediating during the summer, students will be able to jump right back in with their classmates and not have lost any time. But, if a student cannot remediate successfully, they will be referred to retake the entire year or be dismissed from the program altogether. Alternatively, there are instances where a school has let students fall through the cracks – not offering them remediation plans and instead pushing them through to dismissal. An attorney-advisor can help ensure the college offers you a remediation plan and that you have ample time to complete it.
Dismissal Procedures for Medical Students at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown
At Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown campus, students can be dismissed for a number of reasons, including:
- They have accumulated “U” grades in three or more classes
- While on Provisional Academic status they fail to achieve satisfactory grades two semesters in a row
- They fail to comply with the agreed upon terms of an MOU
- They have to take the board exam the maximum number of times and failed each time
- They will not finish the program within six years
If SPC refers a student for dismissal, the student will have an opportunity to meet and tell their side of the story. An attorney-advisor will help you gather evidence and witness testimony to defend yourself. Once this is completed, the SPC will meet to determine whether or not the student should be dismissed. The Senior Associate Dean does have the ability to accept or modify the SPC's decision, but it must be done within five business days.
Appeal a Decision at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown
After SPC makes their determination, and the Senior Associate Dean either agrees or modifies it, they will inform the student of the final decision. The student has seven days to deliver their appeal to the College Dean. The appeal must clearly stipulate the sanction it is appealing and include a compelling argument as to why it should be overturned. The Dean will only grant appeals if they are based on one of the following grounds:
- A conflict of interest or bias between the student and the SPC
- There was a procedural error
- There is new evidence available now that was not available before that will change the outcome of the case
The SPC will either decide that the original holding should be upheld, it should be amended, or another review should be conducted by an ad-hoc committee. Whatever the decision, the appeal is final and cannot be appealed further. Don't forget, if you feel overwhelmed by the idea of filing an appeal, an attorney-advisor can help.
Working With a Skilled Attorney-Advisor
Getting into medical school is quite the feat. You have worked so hard to pursue this dream. But when school gets tough, some students act inappropriately without thinking of the long-term consequences. For instance, if you were punished with a suspension or a dismissal, it will be noted on your final transcript. That means if you apply to a new school to finish your education or are applying for a fellowship after graduation, you will have to explain to their admissions board what happened. Attorney Lento and Lento Law Firm have years of experience and can ensure you the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
