The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR SOM) is one of the finest medical schools in the Southwestern US, in one of the most beautiful locations. The standards of expected behavior are especially high at UNR SOM, and these standards are reflected in the professionalism policy. While high standards are important, medical schools often use “professionalism” to discipline students for nebulous concerns. Because these policies are often written in broad, subjective language, they sometimes allow faculty and administration to discriminate or treat students unfairly. It can be challenging to even answer professionalism charges due to their ambiguous and subjective nature.
If you face charges of unprofessionalism at UNR SOM, the experienced attorneys at the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team can help. The LLF National Law Firm has a proven track record of representing medical students facing professionalism charges or other disciplinary proceedings. Contact us today at 888-535-3686, or fill out our online form.
How UNR SOM Defines Unprofessionalism
UNR SOM defines professionalism as encompassing the following areas:
- Integrity
- Reliability and Responsibility
- Self-Awareness
- Team Building and Communication
- Patient-Centered Care
UNR SOM evaluates professionalism as part of the grading system of medical students. The SOM encourages the reporting of professionalism lapses on its Learning Environment Report Form. Reporting allegedly unprofessional behavior is serious, and complaints can result in disciplinary action. Because the policy on professionalism is couched in such aspirational descriptions of behavior (reliable, responsible, and self-aware), almost everyone will fail to live up to it. This is particularly true in high-stress situations, especially when dealing with sleep issues or work-life balance challenges. Because this policy is written in such subjective terms open to interpretation, it invites misuse. Professionalism charges may be used to settle grudges or eliminate competitors, and for other uses not intended by the writers.
Examples of Unprofessional Behavior at UNR SOM
UNR SOM provides very little guidance on what specific behaviors might be considered unprofessional behavior, but the policy states or implies that the following might be violations:
- Lateness or a failure to respond to calls.
- Disruption of the learning environment.
- Failure to accept feedback or criticism.
- Bias or discrimination.
- Failure to maintain patient confidentiality.
- Failure to report and correct mistakes impacting patient care.
- Failure to notify clinical supervisor of inability to complete assigned duties or tasks.
- Understanding limits to expertise and acting within those limits.
- Failure to treat patients with respect.
While some of these behaviors can be judged objectively (e.g., a failure to maintain confidentiality), others are written in extremely ambiguous terms (e.g., “accept constructive criticism”). The obvious problem with most professionalism policies is a failure to adequately describe unprofessional behavior in concrete, objective terms and instead to rely on aspirational constructs that everyone falls short of. If a policy is so aspirational that nearly everyone violates it on a daily or weekly basis, how can it be used to single out particular people for discipline?
Procedures For Charges of Unprofessionalism at UNR SOM
Reports of lapses of professionalism are reviewed by the Student Affairs and Personnel Committee. This Committee is charged with referring the alleged lapse in professionalism to the appropriate individual or group and scheduling meetings accordingly. The meetings will be documented by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or the Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs into a Conference Report. The Student Affairs and Personnel Committee may take actions such as counseling, coaching, or mentoring.
The Conference Report is put into the student’s file. Serious cases may be referred to the Student Promotion and Conduct Committee (SPCC). The SPCC may take disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the SOM, under the Medical Student Discipline, Dismissal, and Due Process Policy.
Step One – Hearing Before SPCC
The SPCC may ask a student accused of unprofessionalism to appear before the Committee at any time with 10 days’ notice. Interestingly, the Committee must approve witnesses identified by the student. The SPCC will present the reasons and basis for the charges, together with supporting documentation. The student will then respond. The hearing is closed (unless the student requests otherwise). The Committee will decide the issue by preponderance of the evidence and will propose an action in response. This proposed action may include the following:
- Academic probation
- Academic monitoring
- Warning
- Reprimand
- Restitution
- Remediation
- Educational sanctions
- Suspension
- Institutional or deferred suspension
Step Two: Appeal to the Vice Dean
A medical student may appeal the SPCC Hearing decision with a notice of appeal to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs within five calendar days. This notice of appeal must describe the basis of the appeal. The Vice Dean hears the appeal, and the parties will submit documents describing the SPCC process within five days. The Vice Dean will review the materials to decide whether the appeal will be granted. The Vice Dean will make a written decision and send it to the student within seven calendar days.
Step Three: Dismissal Process
When the SOM considers dismissing a student from medical school, a more thorough investigation must be carried out. The SPCC shall appoint an investigating officer (usually a full-time faculty member) to review the allegations and conduct the investigation. The investigating officer will interview witnesses, examine other evidence, and submit a report to the SPCC. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will inform the student that dismissal is a possibility. The SPCC will then hold a hearing where legal counsel may represent the student. The Committee may subpoena witnesses and arrange testimony if a witness fears confrontation or retaliation. After the hearing, the Committee members will vote on the outcome. The Chair will communicate the decision to the student within 14 days.
If the decision at any point in the process involves dismissal, the student may appeal to the Dean of the SOM, who will decide on the student’s dismissal.
Protecting Your Rights
If you face a medical student appeal, you must have an experienced education attorney on your side. The LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team has a track record of success defending medical students in all types of actions nationwide. Call the LLF National Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form, and we will contact you.