Alabama is home of peanuts, southern hospitality, and esteemed medical schools including the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the University of Southern Alabama College of Medicine, and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. These premier medical programs concern themselves with how well their students adhere to their strict academic and professional standards. With all that pressure, some students succumb to the stress and may find their medical aspirations in jeopardy. If you are struggling academically, cannot perform professionally, or are falsely accused of misconduct, an attorney advisor will be able to protect your rights and interests while you focus on your studies and mental health.
Academic and Professionalism Policies for Alabama Medical Students
Most medical schools provide their students with specific codes of conduct they expect them to follow. These codes of conduct might detail how the students are supposed to behave in the classroom, ask the students to refrain from cheating, plagiarism, and harassment, and what behaviors are expected of them during their clinical rotations.
Each school's code of conduct is unique, but if your school is like the University of Alabama's School of Medicine, it will ask you to eliminate biases and prejudices that might compromise patient care, be truthful at all times, and uphold the university's academic integrity. See, for another example, the student handbook at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, including an academic code, conduct code, and professionalism standards. The ACOM handbook addresses not just behavioral issues like tobacco, drugs, or weapons on campus but also professional appearance, clinical performance, and even sexual misconduct.
If your medical school determines that you have violated this code of conduct, they will conduct a hearing. This hearing will either cover an act of misconduct, a remediation recommendation, and a determination of dismissal. It is important to defend yourself appropriately during these proceedings. Working with an attorney advisor from the moment you are notified will ensure your side of the story is heard.
Remediation at Alabama Medical Schools
Alabama medical schools are focused on training physicians who can take care of their communities with compassion and cunningness. They don't want to set new physicians out into the world who might not have the skill set to do no harm. This is why medical students undergo significant testing on their medical knowledge but their professional capabilities as well. If a student fails an exam, course, or rotation, most medical schools will allow them to remediate the work before recommending they be dismissed from the program.
At the University of Southern Alabama College of Medicine, if a student fails an exam, course, or rotation, they are brought before the Student Promotions and Evaluation Committee. This committee will review their record and determine if the student qualifies for a remediation process. The remediation process looks different from year to year, but it could have an impact on your graduation date. For example, if you're in M1 and you receive a failing grade in a module, you have to remediate the module before you can return to the normal module and begin M2.
Similarly, the the student handbook at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine permits remediation courses, exams, and even clinical clerkships. That's the good news. But to return to good academic standing, ACOM students must meet remediation requirements. Remediation may sound good. And indeed remediation can get a student back on track. But remediation may pile more work on top of a student who is already struggling with excessive workloads and unreasonable expectations.
Unfortunately, some schools create these remediation policies and then forget to offer them to their students or find that the particular student does not qualify for one. If you think your school is letting your academic career fall through the cracks, an attorney advisor will be able to fight for it on your behalf. You deserve the chance to pursue your medical dreams even if the pressure of medical school is causing you to perform poorly. And if your school has added unreasonable remediation requirements that you cannot meet, let an attorney advisor help you form and negotiate a more-reasonable and achievable plan.
Dismissal From an Alabama Medical Program
Learning your medical school days might be numbered is extremely frightening. But the reality is there are a number of ways a student can end up in front of the dismissal committee pleading their case. Students at the University of Southern Alabama can be brought before the dismissal committee for acts of misconduct, inappropriate behavior while at their rotation, or because they've been given the opportunity to remediate a course, exam, or rotation and are still unable to pass. The student handbook at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine has similar disciplinary bodies and procedures for academic progress appeals, sexual misconduct allegations, professionalism issues, and behavioral concerns.
Dismissal hearings are seemingly simple proceedings, but they are actually filled with tons of nuance. If you are insufficiently defended and consequently dismissed, you might find it hard to move forward with your life. You might experience personal difficulties such as mental health issues, worrying over the future, and trying to figure out what you are going to do with your life. There may also be financial hardships to be concerned with, like paying back your student loans and paying your bills.
Appeals
Medical students are owed certain rights when undergoing remediation, disciplinary, or dismissal hearings. These rights may include:
- The right to a grade change
- The right to ask for remediation
- The right to face your accuser in disciplinary cases
- The right to defend yourself, whether that's presenting evidence or witnesses to speak on your behalf during the proceedings
- The right to appeal a decision made by the hearing committees
If your medical school decides that you should be dismissed or suspended, the appeals process is your last chance to preserve your dream of being a physician trained at this particular school. When you receive notification of the decision, it will also include the appeals process and directions – where to send the appeal, what date it is due, and what grounds it can be made on. You must send this in by the due date or risk it not being heard.
If the concept of filing the appeal is intimidating, an attorney advisor can help, guaranteeing you the best possible outcome.
Alabama Medical Student Defense Advisor
Seeking advice from an attorney-advisor during any of the proceedings outlined above is a way to ensure you are sufficiently defended. Medical school is hard enough, trying to navigate these proceedings alone can be overwhelming. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping students in similar situations. They will alleviate your stress and anxiety, creating a strategic defense that seeks to avoid unwarranted sanctions or untimely dismissal from medical school. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to discuss your case or schedule a time online.
