Renowned for excellence in rural medicine and primary care, the East Tennessee State Quillen College of Medicine educates qualified medical professionals ready to serve local communities. Among Quillen College of Medicine's strategic plans is leadership in the medical and biomedical fields, emphasizing research and scientific discovery and encouraging innovative health care delivery. Graduates can look forward to numerous professional opportunities upon graduation – but they must maintain academic and professional standards to stay enrolled.
Medical students can look forward to a rigorous and thorough training process that allows them to take on the challenges of their future profession. However, they may also have a hard time keeping up due to the significant pressure to succeed. Students going through academic issues or who commit policy violations must stand before a council, with consequences ranging from a reprimand to permanent dismissal.
Without the help of an attorney advisor, a medical student's hard work and effort may go to waste, mainly due to misunderstandings or a lack of evidence and accurate information.
Student Conduct and Academic Policies
Quillen School of Medicine outlines its expectations for behavioral, academic, and professional requirements in its Policies and Procedures catalog. The ETSU General Policy on Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions list behaviors the administration considers violations, along with possible penalties.
The administration takes academic issues and ethical violations seriously, stating in its honor code that “Medical students are presumed to be honorable men and women of the highest personal integrity and accept responsibility for their personal development as future physicians with adequate skills, knowledge, and professional integrity.” The college does not tolerate honor code violations and mentions that it will permanently dismiss students that lie, cheat, or steal.
The Honor Council receives all reports of suspected violations or issues relating to the honor code. If the case warrants a thorough review, the council conducts an investigation, sets up a meeting with the student, and recommends sanctions to the Dean of Quillen College of Medicine. Professionalism concerns, ethical violations, and academic misconduct receive review under this process. The Student Promotion Committee manages issues related to unsatisfactory academic performance.
Remediation and Academic Grievance Procedures
Students must demonstrate mastery of their coursework to take on the challenges of their demanding future profession effectively. Those who do not perform up to par do have a chance for remediation to improve their grades. In cases that warrant it, remediation is a way to remain enrolled in medical school and keep up with peers. In other cases, however, students have the right to an independent review of their performance if they believe they faced mistreatment on an academic matter.
Remediation comes with its challenges, even if students improve their grades. Some may face discriminatory treatment from peers or even professors for failing to perform well. Students who believe that they do not deserve remediation need the help of an attorney advisor to develop a strategy that reduces their chances of mistreatment. Although it is an inconvenience and a hassle, remediation may be the only way students remain enrolled at Quillen College of Medicine.
Expulsion from Medical School: Consequences
Academic issues and professional/academic misconduct charges may result in permanent dismissal. Expulsion deals a heavy blow on a medical student's reputation and chances of becoming a doctor. Due to the highly competitive nature of admissions in national medical schools, it can take years to find placement in another program. Some of the issues that expelled students may encounter include:
- Trouble finding enrollment in another medical school. Admissions officers only choose the best applications among the thousands they receive annually. Students with spotless records and high grades take precedence against those with expulsion on their permanent record.
- Loss of time and effort. Even if students make progress in medical school, they cannot pick up where they left off. Those who manage to find placement in another program must start from the beginning and lose years of time and effort.
- Financial difficulties. Unexpected financial burdens set students back financially, placing them thousands behind in debt. Those who take out student loans or have scholarships will also need to evaluate expenses as expulsion stops aid and prevents them from receiving financial assistance elsewhere.
Although it may seem like a hopeless scenario, students do have options before being bound to the recommendations of a committee. Students can appeal a dismissal and a low grade before they damage their reputation permanently. However, for the best possible outcome, students need the guidance of a skilled advisor well-versed in administrative processes relating to academic issues and misconduct. With a robust strategy and a professional by their side, students and their families can breathe easier knowing that they are not alone during this stressful time.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
An attorney advisor is on the student's side and can help them deal with a hearing committee and file an appeal if necessary. Procedural errors, bias, and scapegoating a medical student may occur to prove a point, and the student is the ultimate victim. With the oversight and guidance of an attorney advisor, these issues are less likely to happen and more easily identified.
Attorney Advisor Joseph D. Lento understands the considerable burden medical students and their families face. Mr. Lento works closely with students to reduce the negative impact of harmful allegations and unreasonably harsh sanctions on their future.
Whether the issue is academic, ethical, or due to academic or professional misconduct, every student has rights and should fight for them when facing life-altering sanctions. Students are not immune to mistakes. In some cases, personal circumstances arise beyond their control that affects their performance and behavior. Hearing councils may take the issue lightly and not give the student their right to due process.
Don't let an allegation of academic underperformance or professional misconduct end your future career before it begins. Send a message to Lento Law Firm today, or call 888-535-3686 for more information.
