Delaware is one of only four states that don’t have a medical school. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any medical students from Delaware. Aspiring Delaware doctors have a number of nearby options, like the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). As you would expect, all medical schools hold their students to the highest standards of academic achievement, ethical integrity, and professionalism. That’s what you want in a medical school. It means you can be sure that once you’re done with your education, you’ll be fully prepared to begin your residency and go on to a successful career.
None of us is perfect, though, even medical students. And when standards are high, misunderstandings are more common. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself in trouble at either of these schools, the LLF National Law Firm is here to help. Our Student Defense Team knows what you’re up against, and we know what is at stake. We’re familiar with medical school administrative and judicial policies, and we know how to protect your rights.
To find out more about how we can help, contact us today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
Academic and Professionalism Policies for Delaware Medical Students
Like any other students, medical students are expected to meet academic standards and abide by their university’s student code of conduct. Medical students, however, are generally expected to meet higher standards and abide by additional codes of ethics and professionalism.
Kimmel Medical College students, for instance, are also students of Thomas Jefferson University. As such, they’re expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and to refrain from conduct like hazing, trespassing, and all forms of violence. As medical students, they are additionally required to earn satisfactory grades in all subjects, to treat others with respect and dignity, and to uphold the highest values of the medical profession. Similarly, PCOM expects students to meet all academic requirements as well as standards established by the school’s Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, Policy on Academic Integrity, and Professional Violation Policy.
Any time you fail to meet any of these standards, you can face consequences from student promotion committees, judicial boards, or both. It’s important you know, though, that you don’t have to face these committees alone. The attorneys at the LLF National Law Firm are always on your side and ready to fight on your behalf.
Remediation For Delaware Medical Students
There are no unimportant courses when it comes to medical school. You need to master every subject if you’re going to care for public health. Generally speaking, medical schools want their students to succeed. They’ve invested a good deal of time, energy, and money in recruiting you. As a result, unsatisfactory grades in either a classroom course or a clinical rotation don’t always mean dismissal. Instead, most students are assigned some type of remediation program, at least the first time they struggle.
Your school will have a promotion committee that keeps a close watch on your work every semester. At the end of the year, that committee meets to decide who moves forward and who needs remediation. Keep in mind that if you need remediation in more than one course, you could be forced to repeat a year while your cohort moves on. In addition, remediation in multiple courses or failure to satisfactorily complete the terms of a remediation plan can mean outright dismissal from the program.
LLF National Law Firm attorneys are familiar with medical school procedures. We can review any remediation plan you’re assigned and make sure it fits your individual needs. In addition, we’re highly experienced at negotiating with promotion committees to ensure you’re treated fairly and that you have the best possible chance to complete your degree.
Dismissal For Delaware Medical Students
However invested your medical school may be in your success, you can find yourself facing dismissal. Dismissal is especially common when it comes to unprofessional and unethical behavior. Most schools have little to no tolerance for mistreatment of a patient, disrespect to an instructor, or any type of ethical misconduct. You should know, for instance, that your school likely prohibits the violation of any local, state, or federal law. A single DUI could be enough to put your future in jeopardy.
In fact, you don’t have to make an overt mistake to find yourself in trouble. PCOM’s Ethics Code talks, for instance, about maintaining professional interpersonal relationships based on “civility and respect.” Lose your cool with a patient or fail to show proper deference to a supervisor in an email, and, again, you could face serious consequences up to and including dismissal.
You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Don’t let a misunderstanding or a mistake undo all that hard work. The moment you’re accused of violating standards, it’s important you contact the LLF National Law Firm to find out how we can help.
Appeals
Most schools provide students with due process protections. That is, if you’re accused of an offense, you’ll have the opportunity to respond to those accusations. Probation, suspension, and dismissal all require concrete evidence, and you should be allowed to challenge that evidence. Your LLF National Law Firm attorney can help you prepare for the process, from uncovering evidence to coaching you in responding to committees.
If you should be found responsible for (guilty of) an offense, you’ll usually have the chance to appeal that outcome. Here again, your attorney can work with you to develop sufficient grounds for an appeal and ensure that your documents are in order.
Finally, keep in mind that your medical school also retains an Office of General Counsel (OGC)—attorneys who are tasked with providing the school with legal advice. Even where an appeal fails, your LLF National Law Firm attorney may still be able to undertake negotiations with this Office and secure you a satisfactory resolution. We maintain relationships with OGC around the country, and we know what to expect from these types of negotiations. The fact is, negotiation typically has a much better success rate than trying to file a lawsuit against your school.
Fighting for Your Future
There is no coming back from a medical school dismissal. All of your work to this point will have come to nothing. That’s too much to risk trying to handle a case on your own. Even top attorneys sometimes struggle to deal with a school’s faculty and administration. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know how the system works and how to use it to your advantage.
If you’re fighting for your medical future as an aspiring Delaware doctor, make sure you have the best possible help on your side. Contact the LLF National Law Firm to find out what we can do. Call 888-535-3686, or take time right now to fill out our online questionnaire.