The University of Mississippi School of Medicine (UMSOM), the University of Mississippi Medical Centers (UMMC), or simply Ole Miss Medical School, produces graduates who serve underserved communities and accomplish great feats in medicine. However, countless hopeful medical students do not make it to graduation at UMSOM.
Academic hardship, allegations of unprofessionalism, alleged academic misconduct, and other problems can leave an Ole Miss medical student facing dismissal or other serious sanctions. When you're facing the disciplinary process or academic struggles that have you on the brink of dismissal, let Attorney-Advisor Joseph Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team fight for a resolution that preserves your enrollment in medical school.
Possible Reasons for Dismissal from Ole Miss' Medical Program
Between the rigorous academic and clinical curriculums of medical programs, the internal and external pressures to attain high marks and top-flight residency positions, and the general challenges that life presents, there are virtually endless ways to fall into dismissal territory as a medical student.
You may face the prospect of expulsion from UMSOM if you:
- Face credible or groundless allegations of academic misconduct, unprofessionalism, substance possession or abuse, sexual misconduct, or other prohibited behavior
- Have one or more poor interactions with patients, colleagues, or superiors
- Perform poorly in academic or clinical settings
- Have an unexcused leave of absence
- Face any other circumstances that program leadership determines warrant your dismissal or at least consideration of dismissal
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has spared many clients from the many consequences of dismissal from medical school. Depending on your unique circumstances, we will work to dismiss allegations of wrongdoing or negotiate an acceptable resolution that allows you to continue your studies.
The Dismissal Process at the University of Mississippi Medical Centers
The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine Course Director's Guide details the dismissal process in cases of both alleged misconduct and academic difficulties. Though the process may vary based on the reason why dismissal has become a possibility, the process generally involves the following:
Investigation
In Cases of Alleged Misconduct
In cases where there is "an incident of serious concern" or "there has been a pattern (greater than two) of minor incidents)," you will meet with either an assistant or associate dean within the medical program, at which point they will:
- Discuss the issues that have prompted the meeting
- Ask the student to defend themselves, admit wrongdoing, or respond in any manner they see fit
- Inform the student of the recommendation they will make, which may include a leave of absence, probation, or dismissal
If the issue in question involves alleged sexual misconduct, an associate dean for student affairs will also handle the investigation. The associate dean will then file a written report of their findings and recommendations with the dean for student affairs, who will act as they see fit.
In Cases of Academic Underperformance
The University of Mississippi School of Medicine Medical Student Promotions Executive Committee evaluates students' performance, which includes professionalism. This committee determines whether students are fit to progress to the next stage of their medical education.
The committee applies different progression criteria based on the student's year, which includes:
- Achieving a 70% or higher in all courses and rotations
- Achieving a cumulative weighted grade-point average equivalent to 75% in all clerkships and electives
- No professional concerns on peer and faculty evaluations
- Passage of the USMLE Step exams
Students who obtain these criteria (and any other objective criteria) should receive automatic promotion. If you do not meet these criteria and dismissal becomes a possibility, you will:
- Have the opportunity to appear Promotions Executive Committee to present your case for promotion, remediation, or any other outcome you hope to achieve (which will primarily include avoiding dismissal)
- Be able to present any witnesses and statements that support your case
- Submit information as a written statement or give oral testimony as you see fit
While your attorney-advisor from our team cannot be present during a student's meeting with the Promotions Executive Committee, they can help prepare you for the process. Following your meeting with the committee, it will issue a recommendation of action.
Rendering of a Decision by the Dean and Executive Faculty
Per UMMC literature, the program does not generally have dismissal hearings, as are common in many medical programs (aside from any meeting you have with the Promotions Executive Committee). The appointed dean and executive faculty will simply rule on your case, at which point you will have to appeal any adverse ruling.
Appeals
As a medical student at Ole Miss, you should know several facts about appealing a decision of dismissal, including that:
- The appropriate dean must inform you of a dismissal decision within five days of the decision being rendered
- You then have ten working days to notify the dean of your intent to appeal
- When appealing, you have the right to appear before an appeal committee and present any evidence, statements, and witnesses that support your appeal
- The five-person appeal committee will issue a decision based on a majority vote
You must be ready to appeal any adverse decision, and our team always considers the possibility of appeal when fighting for medical students.
Alternative Resolutions to Dismissal from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine
The UMMC handbook details several resolutions that may be preferable to dismissal and may help you avoid serious sanctions altogether. These alternatives include:
- Filing a grade appeal that may allow you to secure a promotion
- Explaining your circumstances to the associate dean who is investigating your case, who may then recommend that the dean proceed without issuing sanctions
- Negotiating a resolution with the University of Mississippi's Office of General Counsel (OGC), which may be able to resolve any student discipline or remediation issue
- Accept a sanction that will not reflect on your record once you have fulfilled the terms, such as probation
Each medical student issue is different, and each requires a unique tact. Our team will fight to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Call the Lento Law Firm Today for Your Consultation to Discuss How We Will Work to Help You Avoid Dismissal
The Lento Law Firm Team has successfully represented many medical students facing dire circumstances. Let us fight for you to continue your education at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.
Hotty Toddy. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
