New York-Presbyterian hospital is affiliated with Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians. The prestigious New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center is the embodiment of this partnership, and the 738-bed medical center offers a stimulating, challenging environment for residents.
Medical school graduates who complete their residency at New York-Presbyterian Columbia Campus will operate under the supervision of the hospital's Graduate Medical Education (GME) office. This office may be an integral part of any challenge you face during residency, from progression issues to academic appeals, professionalism concerns, and even alleged misconduct.
Types of Issues That New York-Presbyterian Trainees May Encounter
Doctors completing their residency at New York-Presbyterian's Columbia Campus (and other campuses) must be mindful of the program's guidelines. These policies govern how the hospital handles academic progression, professionalism, appeals, and other hurdles you may have to overcome to continue your medical career.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital's Graduate Medical Education policies cover:
- Academic promotion, remediation, suspension, and dismissal
- Non-renewal of resident contracts
- Resident grievance processes
- Transfer rules
- Impairment and substance abuse
- Social media policies
- Other standards for resident performance, behavior, and discipline
Any issues that may arise during your residency at New York-Presbyterian's Columbia campus should fall within the purview of the GME Policies & Procedures handbook. These policies and procedures will provide valuable guidance for your attorney. Still, your lawyer may also speak with hospital and university representatives to confirm the information in the handbook or secure answers that do not lie within these policies.
What You Stand to Lose from a Medical Resident Issue at New York-Presbyterian Columbia Campus
Depending on the medical residency issue you are dealing with, the consequences you face may include:
- Remediation, which will slow your training progress and reflect on your residency record, possibly increasing the cost of your residency and restricting your pool of potential post-residency jobs
- Probation, which New York-Presbyterian/Columbia imposes on students who fail to show sufficient improvement during remediation
- Non-promotion or non-renewal of your residency agreement for an additional term, which will require you to seek a new residency position or consider alternative options
- Suspension, which is a precursor to a deeper review of your conduct and could lead to dismissal
- Dismissal, which may be immediate in certain circumstances
These outcomes can be detrimental to your future in medicine, though non-renewal, suspension, and dismissal, are particularly damaging. You may also consider hiring a lawyer if New York-Presbyterian/Columbia decides to close a residency program while you are a trainee. You will want to ensure that the program considers your best interests, and an attorney can help you seek a smooth transition to a new residency program.
The immediate consequences levied by your residency program, including suspension and dismissal, can have long-term ramifications. Such discipline may:
- Make it difficult for you to attain another residency position
- Require you to consider non-clinical medical positions
- Lead you to abandon the medical field altogether, rendering all of your time, effort, and financial investment in medical school and residency moot
- Cause problematic emotional and psychological responses, such as shame and guilt that may cause problems in your personal life
Trainees who have reached the residency stage almost always want to continue toward a career in medicine. Because New York-Presbyterian Hospital is a well-respected medical institution, you have a real shot at a fulfilling and successful medical career, so long as you can complete your residency without being derailed by one of these potential issues.
How to Protect Your Future When Encountering a Medical Resident Issue at New York-Presbyterian's Columbia Campus
Whether you face remediation due to poor performance, possible suspension or dismissal due to allegations of unprofessionalism or misconduct, or some other undesirable consequence, know there is a way forward. No matter how dire the situation may appear, there is always a way to fight for your medical career and reputation.
New York-Presbyterian's Graduate Medical Education literature specifically covers “Grievance and Due Process” for residents. Your attorney can help you file a grievance and may do so in response to:
- Contract disputes
- Performance reviews
- Remediation and probation decisions by the hospital
- Restriction of your privileges as a resident
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Non-renewal of your residency agreement
You may also file a grievance if you have faced discrimination during residency. By filing a grievance, you initiate a review of the decision in question. A Designated Institutional Official (DIO) will lead the grievance process, and you will meet with an Ad Hoc Grievance Committee within 30 days of filing your grievance.
You will receive a decision regarding your grievance within 20 days of meeting with the Grievance Committee. If you disagree with the Grievance Committee's decision, you can file a written request for appeal within ten days of receiving the initial decision.
How the Lento Law Firm Helps Residents Overcome Various Issues During Residency in New York
New York-Presbyterian does not allow trainees to have legal counsel represent them during the grievance or appeals process. However, you can have a lawyer advise you on these matters and even have your attorney compose written grievances and appeals for you.
Attorney Joseph Lento can help you in several ways. Considering the high cost of discipline and remediation, it is wise to have an attorney as an advisor and asset. You may want us to:
- Help with your grievance, identifying specific grounds for the grievance and drafting the grievance letter
- Help you draft and file your appeal
- Advise you on all matters related to your residency issue
- Reach out to the hospital's counsel, which may be a way to secure a direct resolution to your problem
Our firm has extensive experience in student defense, including helping medical students and residents with their challenges. We are familiar with New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the stresses that residents endure, so we are uniquely positioned to assist with your residency issue.
Call the Lento Law Firm Today
Do not wait to hire our firm, as we want to prepare as thoroughly as possible to resolve your medical residency issue. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
You have come too far to let your residency and medical career come under fire. Let the Lento Law Firm team fight for you.
