Summa Health System Medical Residents
Summa Health is based in Akron, OH, and it's one of the state's largest integrated health systems. Joining the Summa Health System as a medical resident is an impressive achievement – you'll be working alongside some of the country's leading healthcare providers, and the training you receive here will help you reach your full potential. This is your opportunity to put your years of grueling training into action and show the medical world you've arrived and that you deserve every chance to succeed.
However, to complete your residency successfully and take the next step in your medical career, you must abide by Summa Health's strict conduct codes. And alongside policy compliance, you must demonstrate high levels of professionalism and deliver safe, effective care in line with your level of experience. If you're facing disciplinary action or your residency is in jeopardy, attorney-advisor Joseph Lento wants to help. Call him at 888.535.3686 to discuss your case.
Summa Health System Policies and Procedures
As a medical resident at Summa Health, there are two key documents you should know about: the Resident Agreement and the Policies and Procedures Manual.
Resident Agreement
Every Summa Health System resident must sign a Resident Agreement before they begin working at a Summa medical center. The Agreement sets out the terms and conditions of your employment, such as when your appointment begins and the services you can access. The Agreement also covers various important matters, including the following.
- When your training may be extended after illness or absences.
- What grievance procedures apply if you wish to appeal resident sanctions for performance issues.
- How Summa Health may support you in finding a new residency appointment if the program closes or reduces in size.
- Where you should seek help if you're suffering from sleep deprivation, stress, or mental health issues.
The Agreement also covers your duties and responsibilities, such as participating in educational activities, providing safe and compassionate care, and supervising other residents when you have sufficient experience.
Policies and Procedures Manual
Summa Health's Graduate Medical Education Policies and Procedures Manual contains links to all the core policies you must adhere to as a resident. These policies can be viewed through your intranet access. Here are some examples of what's expected of you.
- Behaving courteously towards patients and staff.
- Dressing appropriately for your rotation, e.g., wearing scrubs during surgical shifts.
- Refraining from disruptive behavior
- Taking responsibility for your learning and progression
“Disruptive behavior” includes, but is not limited to, harmful language, non-constructive criticism, and inaccurate or inappropriate medical record entries. Summa Health takes disruptive conduct seriously enough to have a special complaints process for disruptive incidents, so it's crucial that you understand what's expected of you.
Consequences of Violation Summa Health System Policies
If there are concerns regarding a resident's performance or behavior, Summa Health reserves the right to impose the following sanctions:
- Dismissal: Summa Health may dismiss a resident if, for example, there are serious concerns for patient safety or grave misconduct allegations.
- Non-promotion: A resident may be held back from moving up a training year if Summa Health identifies performance issues.
- Non-renewal: Resident Agreements are valid for 12 months. They may not be renewed if a resident violates the contract or related Summa Health policies.
Other sanctions, such as written warnings or extra academic responsibilities, may be imposed by individual departments. Whatever sanctions you're facing, they all have the potential to disrupt your training, so it's crucial you deal with them effectively.
Although disciplinary action can seem overwhelming, you should not ignore sanctions. In the long term, these sanctions can seriously disrupt your career, so don't be afraid to reach out for help. They can also dent your confidence or affect your reputation among your peers and colleagues. You don't need to deal with such important and stressful matters alone – our Education Law Team can support you.
Due Process and Grievance Procedures
Given how serious disciplinary action can be, medical residents should be able to challenge sanctions. Summa Health System has a grievance procedure that residents should follow if they wish to appeal sanctions. As a resident, you can view this policy by accessing the Summa Health intranet.
You should take advantage of your right to challenge disciplinary action – your career could be at stake otherwise. Don't let the idea of making an appeal overwhelm you. After working so hard to reach this stage in your career, it's only fair that you have the chance to defend yourself and explain why you deserve to complete your residency.
More generally, Summa Health residents are entitled to due process. They must be treated fairly, and Summa Health should follow its own grievance procedures properly. Unfortunately, hospitals do not always apply their disciplinary processes fairly or accurately, which can result in unfair sanctions being upheld or even resident dismissal. An attorney-advisor can help if you're concerned about unfair treatment.
How the Lento Law Firm Can Help Summa Health Medical Residents
As a medical resident, you're at a critical point in your career. Any residency issues must be dealt with quickly to minimize any long-term impact on your career progression and your professional reputation. You have a promising future ahead of you, and you deserve the chance to achieve your dreams.
Joseph Lento, an experienced attorney-advisor, has guided numerous young professionals facing disciplinary matters. He understands how medical resident grievance procedures work, and he can help you build the strongest possible case in your defense. He can explain what evidence you might need to build your case and where appropriate, he will help you negotiate a withdrawal from Summa Health System.
Joseph Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team are waiting and ready to support you. Don't let a residency issue derail your career or hinder your ambitions – instead, contact Joseph Lento today. You can arrange a consultation by calling 888.535.3686 or leaving us a message.
