Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM – Virginia Campus) opened in 2003 as a collaborative partnership between VCOM and Virginia Tech and is home to a state-of-the-art anatomy lab, high-fidelity human medical simulators, and simulated surgical and intensive care suites. With access to such incredible technology, the osteopathic school expects its students to uphold certain high standards. Many medical students may buckle under this type of pressure and behave in ways they normally would not.
If you or someone you love has found themselves accused of not meeting such standards, an attorney advisor can help. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping medical students in similar situations navigate the complexities of these allegations. Call today.
Academic and Professional Conduct for VCOM Students
At Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus, like all other medical schools, students are expected to abide by certain rules and standards. These expectations are described in the school's student handbook. Generally, these rules cover the medical student's academic conduct and their professional responsibilities. For example, VCOM specifically outlaws cheating and plagiarism, informs students what grade point average they must maintain to be considered in “good standing,” and what behaviors are expected of them during their clinical rotations.
If a student violates the policies within the student handbook, their instructor, or a member of the staff, will refer them to a committee to determine if they should be allowed to move forward in the course, if they should remediate it, or if they should be dismissed or punished in another way. Punishments can range from a warning or academic probation to suspension or expulsion.
Remediation at VCOM – Virginia Campus
Medical school is incredibly competitive, and many students may find the course load overwhelming. VCOM's job is to ensure the students who graduate and are placed into the workforce can treat patients safely and effectively. As such, they test their students quite frequently on both their medical proficiency and professional capabilities. But for some students, the traditional learning and testing practices may not be effective. Not everyone's brain learns the same – for instance, one student may learn very well in the classroom setting, whereas another would learn more with hands-on experience.
To overcome these learning differences, VCOM employs a remediation process to allow struggling students to retake exams, courses, clinical rotations, and standardizes tests like the COMPLEX-USA. The Promotion Board will review the remediation request and determine if one is necessary. Generally, if a student is given the option to remediate, it must be done by a specific date. The student must successfully pass the remediation before being able to move forward in the program.
Dismissal Procedures for Medical Students at VCOM
At the end of each academic block and rotation, the Associate Dean will convene the Promotion Board to determine if a student should continue in the program. If a medical student consistently fails their courses or is unable to keep up with the coursework in another way, they may be referred for dismissal. Dismissal proceedings can also take place for accusations of academic dishonesty or sexual misconduct. The Promotions Board will review the dismissal referral and determine if dismissal is appropriate.
During this Promotions Board Hearing, the student must submit a letter to the board, presenting issues or circumstances they wish the Promotions Board to be aware of and any information they plan on presenting during the hearing. Having an attorney advisor's help during these proceedings will ensure that your case is fully heard, and your due process rights are upheld by the medical school. Unfortunately, many medical schools think about their reputation first and punish unnecessarily. Attorney Lento will advocate on your behalf, presenting witnesses and testimony to guarantee you the best possible outcome for your case.
Appeal a Decision at VCOM – Virginia Campus
The Promotions Board will make their recommendations to the Campus Dean within three working days of a Promotions Board Hearing. The Campus Dean will review their recommendation and notify the student, in writing and verbally, of the recommendation within seven calendar days of the hearing.
Medical students have seven calendar days to appeal this recommendation. The appeal must be made in writing and be based on new, relevant, and material information that the Promotion Board did not have access to before. This appeal must also include an explanation of why the new information would impact the original decision. Once the material has been submitted, the student must schedule a meeting with the Campus Dean.
The Campus Dean will review the appeal request and notify the student of their decision in writing within 14 calendar days. If a further investigation is warranted, the Campus Dean will note a new, later date for the decision. The Campus Dean can either deny the appeal, grant it, impose further, or modify the punishment imposed by the Promotions Board.
It should be noted that once this decision is received, students have the option to appeal it within seven days to the Provost. The second appeal must also be made in writing and include further new, material, and relevant information that was not available to either the Promotion Board or the Campus Dean.
If the idea of filing an appeal is overwhelming, Attorney Lento can help.
Hiring a Skilled Attorney Advisor
Medical school is a critical step in any future doctor's life. But if the workload is seriously overwhelming, and you find yourself falling behind or behaving in a way you normally would not, you might find presenting your case at a Promotion Board Hearing. Promotion Board Hearings may impose unnecessary punishments with long-lasting consequences. For instance, for students who are suspended or dismissed from medical school, these punishments will be noted on your transcripts. If you decide to apply to another medical school or to a fellowship or future educational experience, you will have to explain these punishments ad nauseam.
Attorney Lento and Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping students facing such medical student issues. They will work tirelessly to ensure your case does not fall through the cracks. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online. You do not have to weather this storm alone.
