Saint Louis University School of Medicine (SLU) is one of the first medical schools west of the Mississippi River. Grounded in Jesuit values, the SLU School of Medicine is devoted to training competent physicians who understand the nuances of humanistic medicine and who will use their education to better the lives of their communities. To ensure this goal is met, SLU School of Medicine expects its students to follow specific rules regarding their conduct, both academically and professionally. If a student is unable to follow these rules, the university will hold them responsible. In seriously egregious situations, this could result in dismissal from the program.
Medical students who are accused of misconduct or academic progression issues must prepare a strong defense. However, this can be difficult when you are trying to navigate the anxiety of the proceedings and the stress of your class work. Working with an academic attorney-advisor is the best way to ensure you are fully prepared. Call the Lento Law Firm today for help.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Medical school is an incredibly competitive arena. Not only are you vying for the top spots in your program so you can match with your number one residency program after graduation, but you are learning how to handle life-and-death situations. At SLU School of Medicine, they accept less than three percent of the students that apply. They are keen to only admit students they believe will excel, so the moment a student is thought to be struggling, they are quick to address it. And unfortunately, any type of disciplinary issue, whether it is an academic progression issue or a misconduct accusation after you are accepted into the program, can have long-term effects on your medical career.
Most medical students are dismissed from their programs for one of the following reasons:
- Cheating, plagiarism, or making up information on their academic assignments.
- Misbehaving during clinical rotations.
- Violating patient confidentiality.
- Misusing computers or technology, whether in class or during a clinical rotation.
- Abusing colleagues, hospital staff, or faculty.
- Assaulting or battering anyone on campus or in the hospital.
- Violating local, state, or federal law.
- Failing to maintain satisfactory grades or progress through the program on time.
- Failing remediation plans or any of the standardized tests required to move from year to year.
While this list is not exhaustive, medical students can be dismissed even if there is no real evidence to back up the accusations. If you or someone you love has been referred for a disciplinary or dismissal hearing, contact an attorney-advisor today. Attorney-advisor Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help advocate for you at every stage of the proceedings. Don't let the school's bias or inability to uphold your due process rights appropriately affect your future.
Adjudication Process at Saint Louis University School of Medicine
All students, faculty, and staff have the power to make allegations against a student for violating the code of conduct. Allegations must be made to one of the Associate Deans for Students. The Associate Dean will try to resolve the issue informally by conducting an initial investigation and interview process. If the matter cannot be resolved, the Associate Dean will refer the matter to the Student Professional Conduct Council (SPCC).
The SPCC will review the information and interview both the complainant and the accused student, allowing them to present their arguments as well. After all the testimony has been heard, the SPCCC will decide whether the student is responsible for a code of conduct violation and which sanction should be imposed. Sanctions at SLU School of Medicine must include at least one of the following:
- Written censure by the SPCC,
- A recommendation of what restitution should occur,
- A letter about the incident placed into the student's permanent file, or
- Suspension or dismissal from the program.
If the student does not comply with the sanctions, it will lead to further disciplinary action.
Appeals Process
At SLU School of Medicine, medical students that have been sanctioned with dismissal have the chance to appeal it to the Appeals Council. The appeal must be made in writing within five working days of receiving the SPCC decision, and it must include the reasons the student believes the decision should be withdrawn or modified. The Appeals Council will review the appeal and determine whether the SPCC's decision for dismissal should be upheld, modified, or rejected.
Whatever the Appeals Council decision, it is final and cannot be appealed further. As such, you need to make sure you take advantage of the appeal and put your best effort into explaining your reasoning or run the risk of dismissal. Working with an attorney-advisor will ensure you do not get dismissed unnecessarily.
How a Premier Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Medical schools are supposed to furnish physicians with stellar academic and professional knowledge and skills. Saint Louis University is dedicated to providing its students with all sorts of opportunities, so when a student violates their code of conduct or is unable to progress through the program in a certain way, they do not hesitate to adjudicate the issue.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team understand how hard you have worked to get where you are and know that sometimes universities make mistakes in their disciplinary hearings. No one is infallible, and often students are wrongly accused and dismissed from the program without any real evidence. To avoid problems like this, Lento Law Firm works diligently to create a strategic defense that guarantees the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
