Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) is Nevada's largest medical school and offers a distinctive approach, boasting an impressive didactic program with over 150 future doctors enrolled. In delivering quality education programs in healthcare and education, TUNCOM seeks to prepare its pupils to provide expanded healthcare options to the Nevada community and beyond.
Over 20 percent of U.S. medical students are enrolled in D.O. programs. Like any medical student, those enrolled in TUNCOM are held to strict academic and behavioral thresholds.
An impeccable academic record and demonstration of spotless professional standards can open many career doors for medical school graduates for placement at a hospital or institution of their choice. However, even the slightest academic mishap or violation of ethics guidelines can limit a student's prospects when the stakes are high. Therefore, if you're a TUNCOM student handling misconduct allegations, you need to hire an advisor with experience in student rights and medical school discipline issues.
TUNCOM Academic and Professionalism Standards
Students at TUNCOM must abide by the highest academic and behavioral integrity standards as stated in the Student Handbook and University Catalog. The guidelines establish expectations for D.O. program enrollees inside and outside the classroom.
Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing, TUNCOM students must achieve passing grades in all examinations, including:
- Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Levels 1, 2-CE, 2-PE
- Comprehensive Osteopathic Self-Assessment Examination (COMSAE)
Eligibility for progression and graduation also depends on the status of a student's Osteopathic Medical Student (OMS) clerkships. Students with incomplete assignments or pending remediation tasks will not be allowed to progress to the next OMS level.
Although TUNCOM requires students to progress at a pre-determined rate, they also have policies prohibiting academic misconduct. Cheating, plagiarism, research misconduct, and even displaying inappropriate behavior during examination are subject to disciplinary charges.
Professionalism Standards
In its Student Handbook, TUNCOM derives its ethical standards from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Code of Ethics. The code underpins the professional physician-patient relationship, transcending external factors to support individualized patient care.
The guidelines include but are not limited to prohibitions on:
- Breaches of patient confidentiality
- Gifting medical care
- Falsification of degree or license
- Irresponsible actions in public
- Lack of scientific competency
- Sexual harassment
The school also has rules and regulations on everything from using the correct title when addressing a superior, immunization requirements, and wearing school-appropriate attire when meeting with patients and taking examinations. Furthermore, behavioral guidelines stretch beyond the classroom as physicians must present themselves as worthy of public trust and may not engage in unsuitable social media activity.
Disciplinary Action at TUNCOM
Depending on what type of Student Handbook infraction a student is alleged to have committed, they will be referred to one of the following:
- Academic Success Committee (ASC) for students in the preclinical years one and two who struggle academically or exhibit unprofessional behavior
- Clinical Student At-Risk Committee (CSTARC) for students in clinical years three and four who exhibit unprofessional behavior, have unsatisfactory clerkships, or fail end-of-year exams
- Student Promotion Committee (SPC) for the evaluation and assessment of student progress from enrollment to graduation
If a TUNCOM student is alleged to have violated the school's academic or professional guidelines—having been assessed by the ASC or CSTARC—they will be remanded to the SPC for further investigation and possible disciplinary action. Students will receive a written notice of the time, place, and subject of a disciplinary meeting.
Following a meeting to unearth statements provided by the student in question, witnesses, and any other evidence, the SPC will recommend to the Dean of Students how to manage the misconduct if the student is found responsible.
Sanctions may include:
- Written warning
- Probation
- Remediation
- Administrative leave of absence
- Suspension
- Dismissal
Remediation Plans at TUNCOM
Typically, medical students have an opportunity to complete a remediation program to address behavioral or academic progression issues. Although they must retake classes and exams, they must also remain on track to graduate within the maximum allotted timeframe. Moreover, remediating students may not hold any positions within clubs, student organizations, or programs representing TUNCOM.
Remediation is split into first and second-year students and third and fourth-year students. While they vary slightly, they are structured to address that specific level of clerkship's academic and professional responsibilities. Students who fail reexamination during remediation will be dismissed from TUNCOM.
Dismissal From TUNCOM
Medical students are also dismissed for other situational occurrences. As stated in the Student Handbook, they include:
- A cumulative grade below 70 percent for any one academic year.
- Failing grades in 33 percent or more credit hours in one academic year.
- Failing a repeated course of repeated clinical clerkship.
- Failure to progress through two clinical clerkships.
- Exceeding maximum timeframe to graduate.
- Failing to demonstrate academic or personal growth.
- Unsuccessful attempts on COMLEX exams.
Separation from medical school will derail a student's chance to earn a D.O. degree. Yet, it will also cause long-lasting consequences.
Dismissed students may face any or all of the following:
- Challenges continuing medical education elsewhere
- Starting a medical degree from the beginning
- Limited placement opportunities
- Overcoming student debt without a physician's salary.
Hiring Joseph D. Lento as Your TUNCOM Advisor
Medical schools face pressure from national accreditation boards and the public to maintain a faultless reputation. Because of this, however, students are often mistreated by a disciplinary board's resolutions.
No medical student should face this dire situation without the help of an experienced student defense advisor. Joseph D. Lento has years of experience in medical student rights, progression, and remediation matters. He and his team at the Lento Law Firm have helped countless D.O. students remain intact with their studies, even brokering beneficial resolutions on their behalf with a school's Office of General Counsel (OGC).
There is no excuse for a future physician to face remediation, suspension, or dismissal alone. Call the Lento Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 to get the extra help you need or visit the online consultation form.
