The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences (GWU) sits in the heart of the nation's capital and is dedicated to training physicians who will spend their careers helping their local, national, and global communities. To ensure it is achieving this goal, they not only enroll students who they believe will be able to excel in the program, but provide these students with specific standards they must meet to stay in good standing with the program. If a student is accused of violating these standards or is having a hard time keeping up with their course or clinical work, their case will be reviewed and disciplinary sanctions or remedial actions could be imposed.
Having an academic attorney-advisor in your corner from the moment you learn of these accusations is the best way to ensure you are not unnecessarily punished. Call the Lento Law Firm today for help.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
GWU has one of the top medical degree programs in the country. Not only do they require a 3.7 minimum GPA and a 513 on the MCAT to apply to the program, but they only accept 1% of the students who apply. They believe, like most medical schools, that these are good indicators of how a student will perform in the program. The goal is to only allow students who are capable of practicing patient-centered, evidence-based medicine compassionately and effectively.
With so much pressure, it's no wonder the most common reasons for a medical student to be dismissed from their program include:
- Cheating or attempting to cheat on an exam.
- Plagiarizing an academic assignment.
- Failing to maintain satisfactory grades or failing any of the USMLE Steps more than the college allows.
- Physically or sexually assaulting or abusing someone.
- Violating federal, state, or local laws.
- Giving medical attention without enough training or supervision.
- Damaging or destroying university or hospital property.
- Violating patient confidentiality.
- Misusing technology.
Unfortunately, there are times when medical students are accused of academic or professional misconduct, and the university adjudicates the issue without evidence to support their conclusion. If this occurs, the university is at fault and should be held responsible. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help protect you from such blatant procedural and substantive errors. Remember, you cannot be found responsible for the action and dismissed unless the complainant or the university is able to show evidence that proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you committed the act. Call our offices today.
Adjudication Process at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
At the beginning of each year, medical students at GWU School of Medicine & Health Sciences receive a slew of policies and procedures they are expected to become familiar with. The Regulations for MD Candidates policy outlines professional and academic integrity standards and the procedures the university will take to resolve any violations of them.
A student can be dismissed if they are unable to pass their courses and maintain specific grade minimum standards, or if they are found responsible for academic or behavioral misconduct. In either instance, the dean will notify the student of their risk for disciplinary action or dismissal and refer the matter to the Medical School Evaluation Committee (MSEC). In an academic progression case, the MSEC will review the student's academic record and any written statement the student wants to submit to determine whether the student should be dismissed.
When the matter concerns misconduct of some type, the dean will discuss the issue with the Chair of the MSEC, who will decide if the case should be referred to a Subcommittee. If they decide to refer it to a Subcommittee, the Subcommittee will launch an investigation into the allegation. During the investigation, the Subcommittee will gather evidence, witness testimony, and other relevant information. The accused student has the right to participate in these information-gathering sessions, asking questions and working to refute the information collected.
At the end of the investigation, the Subcommittee will decide whether the student is responsible for the accused conduct or not and what sanctions should be imposed. Sanctions could include suspension or dismissal.
Appeals Process
Once the Subcommittee or the Dean make their decision, you have the right to appeal it. Subcommittee decisions must be appealed within 15 calendar days of receiving their decision, and non-dismissal decision appeals must be done within 10 calendar days of receiving the determination. Either appeal needs to explain the specific grounds on which the appeal is being made. Appeals will be reviewed by an unbiased designee, and the decision will either be upheld, amended, or remanded for further review. Whatever the appeals decision, it is final.
Sadly, many medical students are so exhausted by the initial defense process that they fail to file their appeal on time or give up on the idea of an appeal altogether. When this happens, they are effectively throwing in the towel on their medical career. Sanctions like suspension and expulsion are generally noted on your transcript. If you decide to apply to a new medical school or a fellowship after graduation, you will have a difficult time gaining admission. Attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team are here to help ease that burden from you, ensuring you get every chance to protect your dream of becoming a doctor.
How a Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Team appreciate how hard it can be to navigate a disciplinary or academic defense, especially if the accusations take you by surprise. Unfortunately, when students are ill-prepared for these hearings, they tend to be less than successful. The Lento Law Firm is here to help. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
