At William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine (WCUCOM), they are training students to provide the best treatment possible to underserved communities in Southern Mississippi. Students are expected to not only uphold the strictest patient confidentiality standards but to pursue life-long learning and professional growth. As such, WCUCOM has high expectations for its students. Sometimes, students find these expectations to be too overwhelming and begin to act in ways they normally would not. If you or someone you love is being accused of disciplinary action, is unable to pass their remediation plan, or is being confronted at a dismissal hearing, an attorney-advisor can help. Call Lento Law Firm today.
Academic and Professional Conduct for William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
At WCUCOM, students are expected to abide by certain academic performance and professionalism rules. These rules can be found in the Student Handbook, which is given out each year to students and includes the following expectations:
- Avoiding academic dishonesty, like cheating, plagiarizing, and submitting the same work for different courses without approval from the instructor
- Dressing in a professional manner
- Attending classes on time
- Abstaining from harassment and substance abuse
- Maintaining a high level of honesty and integrity
- Complying with patient confidentiality
- Acting to improve the quality of, and access to, care
If a WCUCOM student does not uphold these standards, they will be referred to the Promotions and Matriculation Committee (P&M Committee) for review. The P&M Committee has the power to determine whether a student requires a dismissal or disciplinary hearing, or if a remediation plan is appropriate. If you are notified of one of these conferences, it is important to reach out to an attorney-advisor who can best advocate for your rights.
Remediation at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Students in medical school are constantly being evaluated on their academic and professional performance. At the end of each academic year, instructors at WCUCOM will refer any struggling students to the P&M Committee for review. The committee may decide that a student should have an opportunity to remediate a course, clinical, or project they may have failed or done poorly on.
When a student is offered a remediation plan, they must complete it before being allowed to move to the next year of the program. It should be noted that if a student fails to follow the remediation plan, including the projected timeline, the P&M Committee, or the Student Affairs Committee, may decide to bar you from sitting for repeated examinations, moving on to the next year of the program, and could potentially refer you for a dismissal hearing.
Unfortunately, some medical schools allow their students to fall through the cracks and never offer them a remediation plan. When this happens, an attorney-advisor can work on your behalf to encourage them to create one for you.
Dismissal Procedures for Medical Students at William Carey University School of Osteopathic Medicine
While attending WCUCOM, students can be dismissed from WCUCOM for several reasons, including:
- Not attending enough classes and clinical days
- Falsifying attendance records
- Cheating by using an electronic tool or another type of program during an examination
- Failing or getting an incomplete in a course that is not eligible for remediation
- Failing two or more courses during the first or second year
- Failing the same course twice
- Failing a combined total of any of the five COMLEX USA Level 1 and 2 board examinations
- Disciplinary issues and academic dishonesty
If a student is referred for dismissal, the P&M Committee will notify them of a hearing. During this hearing, students will be able to present evidence and witness testimony. Additionally, students have the right to work with an attorney-advisor who can help them create a strategic defense that will guarantee them the best possible outcome.
Appeal a Decision at William Carey University School of Osteopathic Medicine
After the P&M Committee hears the student's defense and reviews the issue in private, they will decide if the student should be sanctioned or dismissed from the program. Once the student receives this notification, they must write a letter of appeal to the WCUCOM Dean within one week after receiving it. The Dean will determine an appropriate time and date for an appeal hearing. The student has two days to respond to this meeting date and time, if not, the appeal request will be forfeited, and the original decision will be upheld.
If the appeals process is fully commenced, the WCUCOM Dean will consider whether or not the original decision should be upheld, struck completely, or if a lesser punishment, like academic probation or warning, is more appropriate.
How a Skilled Attorney-Advisor Can Help
When you attend osteopathic medical school, you dream of working with patients and helping them live better lives. You never imagine that your education may be cut short. And unfortunately, many students do not consider these consequences when undergoing disciplinary or dismissal hearings or remediation plan meetings, so they do not prepare appropriately. Insufficient advocacy can lead to harsh punishments such as suspensions and dismissals, which are noted on your final transcripts. If you decide to apply to other medical schools to continue your education or are hoping to pursue a post-graduate fellowship, you will have to explain the incidents on your applications. Additionally, some students might begin to suffer from mental health issues after undergoing such severe mental stress as these situations can cause.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have the unique experience of understanding legal matters and the policies and procedures of medical schools across the country. They will be able to advocate on your behalf. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
