If you've been in medical school for any length of time, you already know: they don't just give those MD degrees away. Medical school demands your absolute best effort, both in terms of academics and in terms of your personal and professional life. Even a small lapse can put your career in jeopardy.
If you've struggled to meet academic expectations, or you've been accused of some form of misconduct, and the school is now talking about dismissal, you can't afford to take the situation lightly. The dismissal likely means the end of your medical career—very few schools are willing to take a chance on a student who's already been dismissed from another program. The process of defending yourself can be complex, and you can expect instructors and administrators to close ranks against you.
How do you handle a situation like this? First, you remain calm; you gather evidence and prepare to tell your side of the story; most importantly, you get help. The Lento Law Firm was established to protect students. The firm's Student Defense Team knows your rights and will do anything it must to protect them. Team attorneys have experience working with specifically medical schools. They know how to negotiate when it's called for, but they can be fierce when it comes to defending their clients. They'll make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more about what the Lento Law Firm can do for you, call 888-535-3686 today or use the firm's automated online form.
Two Reasons for Dismissal
The Burns School of Medicine can't simply dismiss you. It must have cause. You can find out more about the school's rules by reading through its policies, but basically, there are two kinds of mistakes that can lead to dismissal.
- Academic Deficiencies: One common reason for medical school dismissal is low grades. Before you graduate, your school wants to be absolutely certain you have the knowledge and skills to serve your patients effectively. You must pass every course and excel during your clerkship. A single NC (No Credit) won't necessarily doom your MD candidacy. In most cases, you'll simply be assigned a remediation program to remove your deficiencies. Should you fail to complete remediation, though, or consistently struggle to pass classes, dismissal can become a possibility. The Burns School of Medicine's Evaluation, Remediation, and Review Committee (ERRC) monitors your academic progress, reviewing your evaluations after each and every course you complete. It has the power to design remediation plans for students who fall behind, and it keeps track of whether or not you complete your plan. Ultimately, however, the Student Standing and Promotion Committee (SSPC) determines student status when there's a problem. This committee can assign sanctions from warnings and probation to mandatory leaves of absence and outright dismissal.
- Misconduct: Unprofessional behavior can get you dismissed just as quickly as—if not faster than—low grades. Misconduct can come in several forms. You're responsible, for instance, for following the University of Hawaii's general Student Conduct Code. You must follow federal Title IX guidelines regarding sexual harassment and misconduct. The Burns School of Medicine has its own set of rules for how medical students should conduct themselves, both in professional settings and in their personal lives. Any violation of any of these policies can lead to dismissal. As with academic matters, the SSPC is the governing authority when it comes to misconduct issues. If you've been accused of violating a university or medical school policy, this committee is the one that determines your fate. And in most cases, there is no remediation for unprofessional behavior. Mistreat a patient or commit an act of insubordination, and dismissal is the most likely outcome.
Defending Yourself
Just as the medical school must have cause to dismiss you, it must provide you with due process—the chance to defend yourself. Keep in mind, however, that schools aren't part of the criminal justice system, and they aren't required to afford you any particular rights.
Here's how the process works at the Burns School of Medicine.
- The SSPC can receive complaints from any source—the ERRC, faculty, administrators, other students, and even anonymous reporters.
- If your status is under review, the SSPC invites you to appear before it to respond to questions about your record. This is a meeting, not a formal hearing. However, the committee reviews your entire record, and you can usually offer your side of the story, including evidence.
- The SSPC then deliberates and determines whether or not to apply a sanction such as a reprimand, probation, or dismissal.
- You have the right to appeal the SSPC decisions, but only on the grounds that the committee's decisions were arbitrary or capricious.
- As part of the appeal, you are granted a full hearing, at which you can present evidence, call witnesses, and raise questions for witnesses against you.
As this rough outline makes clear, you don't have nearly the same due process rights you'd have in a court of law. For example, while you can choose a support person to accompany you to proceedings, that person must be drawn from the medical school community. Attorneys are expressly prohibited from attending hearings and other investigative meetings.
Keep in mind, however, that your Lento Law Firm attorney can do far more than simply sit beside you at a hearing. Their first job, for instance, is to help you develop a strong defense strategy. They'll work with you to gather and organize evidence; they'll draft necessary documents; they'll suggest questions for witnesses; they'll even coach you on how to present your cases. More important than anything else, your Lento Law Firm attorney is there to monitor your case and ensure you're treated fairly. That's especially important at schools like this one, where your rights are limited.
The Lento Law Firm Can Help
We mentioned it before, but it certainly bears repeating. In a dismissal case, literally 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. If the Burns School of Medicine decides to dismiss you, all of that will have been for nothing.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. As should be clear by this point, judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and the playing field is not even. Plus, your school is decidedly 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 need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and has 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.
