If you're a med student, we don't need to tell you how tough medical school is. You know firsthand just how rigorous coursework is. You know how demanding it can be to keep up with clinic hours. You know that your conduct is always being scrutinized.
What you may not know is how to get help dealing with the challenges of these high expectations. What do you do, for example, if someone at Morehouse School of Medicine mentions the “D” word: “Dismissal”?
It's not easy fighting dismissal. Faculty and administrators have been doing this far longer than you have. They know how to protect themselves, and they know how to make a charge stick if they're determined to. And let's face it, you're never just taking on one instructor. You're taking on the might of an institution of higher education. Who's on your side in this fight?
The Lento Law Firm is. The Lento Law Firm was founded to help students get the educational rights they deserve. We know the law; we know how your med school operates, and we're ready to use what we know to give you a fair chance at an MD. To find out more about how we can do that, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or reach out to our team online.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Doctors need two important qualities: first, they must have a knowledge of medicine; second, they must have ethical and professional credentials that put them beyond reproach. Morehouse School of Medicine wants to instill both qualities in you now, and mistakes can lead to dismissal from the program.
- Academic Deficiencies: There are no unimportant subjects at this point in your academic career. You can't simply fail a class and move on. The same is true for your clinic assignments. These are considered a necessary part of your education. You must obtain at least a C in all your courses and clinic work in order to graduate. Failing a course doesn't necessarily mean dismissal, however. Should you fail a class, or even two, you'll most likely be assigned a remediation plan to help you catch up. Of course, you can ultimately be dismissed for academic reasons. An incomplete remediation plan, for example, or too many failed courses, can get you dropped from Morehouse.
- Misconduct: There is some leeway regarding your academic performance at Morehouse. Not so with regard to your conduct. Like all Morehouse students, you are required to follow the Student Code of Conduct and federal Title IX prohibitions against sexual discrimination and harassment. Violations of either can get you expelled from Morehouse. Additionally, though, the School of Medicine has its own policies, listed in the SOM handbook. You are expected to demonstrate academic integrity, ethics, and professionalism at all times. Keep in mind that these requirements extend beyond campus. Violation of local, state, or federal laws is grounds for dismissal.
Given how important both academics and conduct are, and how closely connected they can sometimes be, it makes sense that they are both under the purview of the same governing body: the School of Medicine's Student Academics Progress and Promotion (SAPP) committee. This committee has the authority to assign remediation and to issue sanctions up to and including dismissal.
Note that violating Morehouse policies means facing Morehouse judicial procedures, separate from the School of Medicine, though you may also have to defend yourself before the SAPP. One reason it's so important to have a Lento Law Firm attorney at your side is that they can help you navigate different processes and procedures.
Fighting Dismissal
The Morehouse School of Medicine gives all students who are being considered for termination the right to a hearing before the SAPP.
As part of the hearing, you may present supportive evidence. In addition, you may ask up to three individuals—of your choice—to offer presentations on your behalf.
Further, you have the right to appeal the SAPP's final decision, but only under certain conditions: an allegation of prejudice against a member of the SAPP or the failure of the SAPP to follow appropriate procedures.
Unfortunately, the medical school specifically prohibits you from bringing a legal advisor to your hearing. Keep in mind, though, that only a very small part of a Lento Law Firm attorney's job involves attending hearings. Most schools—undergraduate and graduate—bar students from retaining full legal representation. When they do allow lawyers, those lawyers are only allowed to observe and advise. An attorney from the Lento Law Firm can offer vital help, though, in developing your overall defense strategy, uncovering and organizing evidence, drafting documents, preparing witness questions, and practicing your presentation.
Of course, by far, a Lento Law Firm attorney's most important job is to ensure you receive all the due process protections to which you are entitled. A Lento Law Firm attorney is your very best chance at fair treatment and a positive resolution to your case.
Fighting for Your Future
If you're facing dismissal, you need to know everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent dozens, maybe hundreds of hours studying for the MCAT; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through demanding interviews. The threat of dismissal puts all of that in jeopardy. It means having to look for a new career. It means having to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans without a medical degree to help you do it.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. Judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and your school is not on your side in this instance. You need someone who is, someone who has your best interests at heart and who is willing to fight for those interests. You want an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and have helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
