The Peach State hosts an impressive network of medical programs. Notable alumni like Emory University's Shigeaki Hinohara have left an indelible impact on human health—and he's just one of many stars to emerge from Georgia medical programs.
Even the most successful graduates have their struggles, though. Medical schools are meant to prepare you for real-world medicine, which presents a steady stream of unique patients with myriad ailments. Most medical students face academic and personal struggle while in medical school.
Some medical school issues rise beyond the level of everyday hardship. Such issues may threaten your ability to graduate. Even if a medical school issue doesn't bar you from graduating, it could tarnish your academic and personal records. A Georgia medical student defense advisor can help you overcome these sorts of serious issues.
Academic and Professionalism Issues Affecting Medical Students in Georgia
Medical school presents a quid pro quo. Your medical program will grant you a degree if you abide by its rules and academic standards. Every medical program has its own specific requirements, though medical students share common expectations. Medical students must generally act with integrity, effort, and respect at virtually all times.
Your school's honor code may contain specific behavioral codes. Your program's code may resemble Mercer University School of Medicine's Honor Code, which reads:
“I pledge to neither give nor receive aid during tests or for any individual assignments or papers, nor to use any information other than that allowed by the instructor. I further pledge that I will not allow to go unreported to the proper persons any violation of the Honor System and that I will give true and complete information before the Honor Committee”.
In addition to these academic guidelines, your program's honor code may cover professional standards. Professional guidelines may require you to:
- Treat faculty and colleagues with respect
- Treat patients with respect
- Be honest in all education-related interactions
- Refrain from using drugs and alcohol, especially in educational settings
- Report any instances of unprofessionalism that you witness
- Abide by other professionalism standards
Medical schools generally punish students who violate their academic or professional codes of conduct. Each school has unique procedures for misconduct cases. At the Medical College of Georgia-Augusta University, as an example, a student and faculty-led Honor Court investigates claims of wrongdoing. A Student Conduct Board then imposes sanctions for any violations of the Code of Conduct.
Your school's adjudication process may follow a common framework, which includes:
- Notice of allegations
- Meetings with administrators and a case investigator
- A hearing, at which time you may defend yourself and question your accusers
- Issuance of sanctions or, conversely, dismissal of allegations against you
- Appeals
An attorney-advisor will quickly determine your school's rendition of this general blueprint. Every medical student accused of wrongdoing should have the chance to plead their case. Without a capable advisor to ensure due process, you may not receive this opportunity.
Dismissal from Georgia Medical Programs
Dismissal is a reality that most medical students don't want to fully consider. Nonetheless, dismissal from your medical program could be a looming possibility.
Emory University School of Medicine may dismiss students who commit “gross negligence”, “grossly inappropriate” behavior, or “lapses in professional behavior”. Such standards for expulsion give medical programs broad leeway to expel students like you.
Some medical students never rebound from a dismissal. Rather than graduating and pursuing a career in medicine, a dismissed medical student may:
- Have to pursue another field of education or forego college altogether
- Have to re-enroll at a lesser university (whether to study medicine or another discipline)
- Suffer feelings of defeat, or even depression, because of their dismissal
- Face student debt beyond their financial means
- Lose all existing academic progress
Dismissal was not in your plans when you enrolled in your medical program. With a tenacious defense, you may be able to avoid this outcome.
Remediation for Medical Students in Georgia
Many students are unprepared for the rigors of medical school. Those students may fail a course or crucial exam before acclimating to the medical school grind. Medical schools recognize such failures, and may offer you the chance to retake—or remediate, in academic parlance—certain coursework.
Remediation is not a one-size-fits-all solution for medical students. Some students may truly need remediation, even if it means delaying graduation and paying additional tuition and fees. Other students may benefit from an alternate solution.
There are pros and cons to remediation. An attorney-advisor will review the circumstances that have led to your poor academic marks. Your advisor can help you appeal a grade or explain extraordinary circumstances that caused poor performance. If your situation warrants it, your attorney-advisor may recommend that you pursue remediation. Every case is unique.
Appeals at Georgia Medical Programs
Appeals represent the final chance for medical students to obtain a favorable decision, or at least leniency. You may have a finite window to file an appeal. You may also need sufficient grounds for appeal. At Morehouse School of Medicine, you may file an appeal if:
- You experienced prejudice during your initial case
- A disciplinary committee deviated from proper hearing protocols
Other grounds for appeal may include new evidence, a revelation that an accuser was lying, or unfairly harsh sanctions. Appeal processes are unique to each medical program. A qualified attorney-advisor will file your appeal as soon as they are eligible to do so.
Hire a Qualified Georgia Medical Student Defense Advisor
If you believe your medical school in Georgia won't take serious action against you, think again. Medical school applications are at an all-time high, and your admission is not a guarantee of graduation. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento may reach a resolution that allows you to graduate, and may even be able to nullify allegations against you.
The Lento Law Firm advocates for medical students nationwide, including those in Georgia. We'll take a personalized approach to your case. You can focus on your studies and personal responsibilities as we lead your defense.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to speak with our team. You can also contact us online. We specialize in medical student defense issues. No matter the nature of your medical school issue, we can help.
