Established in 1998, the Medical University of the Americas (MUA) School of Medicine offers a global medical education to aspiring medical students. With its main campus in Charlestown, Nevis, MUA college of medicine offers its students the chance to enjoy life in the Land of Beautiful Waters and partake in a world-class education. MUA School of Medicine staff focus on each student's progress, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 7:1. To maintain good standing and a strong reputation, MUA expects students to uphold professionalism and academic performance standards or face penalties.
Medical students have multiple responsibilities beyond finishing their courses. The stress of everyday life and personal circumstances can affect their academic performance or lead to regrettable mistakes. Penalties that arise from unfair or baseless accusations can wreak havoc on their professional path and cause extensive graduation delays. The good news is that medical students don't have to face this stressful process alone. With the help of an advisor, students can push back against harmful allegations and increase the likelihood of receiving a positive outcome after a hearing.
Honor Code
All students attending MUA School of Medicine must abide by the honor code and demonstrate exceptional behavioral integrity. Becoming a physician is not just about receiving a degree but demonstrating the principles of the Hippocratic Oath. Students at MUA must sign an honor pledge upon matriculation at MUA and agree to:
“develop and demonstrate qualities, attitudes, and behavioral patterns appropriate to a career in medicine. The student shall maintain high standards of personal and professional behavior in interactions with other students, patients, members of the health care team, members of the faculty and staff, and follow hospital and university policies and procedures”.
Violating the Code places students at risk of penalties and sanctions that affect their academic progress. With the challenges of medical school, some students become overwhelmed with their course load and can make mistakes. Unfortunately, innocent students face accusations of professional or behavioral misconduct far too often and receive disproportionate sanctions that upend their progress. Students risk facing repercussions that place them years behind their peers without the experience of an advisor familiar with the hearings process.
Remediation
One of the essential components of a well-rounded medical degree is maintaining good grades. Students, however, have other responsibilities that they juggle while studying that can lead to distraction. Regardless of the reason, some students slip academically and underperform, raising alarms about their progress. Since MUA School of Medicine has such a low student-to-teacher ratio, low grades and sub-par performance are easily identifiable, and remediation is necessary.
Remediation takes time and incurs additional funds that students don't expect or want to go through. Despite this setback, remediation is a blessing in disguise. If students get their grades back on track, they can continue their studies and become doctors without delay. Without remediation, students may need to withdraw from the semester or face permanent dismissal.
Expulsion
Despite being a last-resort option, expulsion is a reality at MUA in the event of a severe infarction or professional violation. Behavioral infractions that lead to this penalty can occur outside the university, necessitating special attention to conduct in all public places. Students who fail to improve their academic standing despite remediation are also at risk of losing placement at MUA. Expulsion is the deal-breaker that takes students back to point A once again. A permanent discharge has negative long and short-term repercussions that derail a student's career path. Some of the consequences of expulsion include:
- Admissions issues. Medical schools prefer candidates with no problems listed on their permanent records. Expulsion can be a barrier to placement in another medical school, and students must deal with multiple rejections.
- Years of effort lost. The rigorous curriculum that medical students have takes years to complete. If students receive a permanent discharge, they cannot move their credits or continue where they left off at another medical school.
- Heavy financial repercussions. Student loans and financial aid take years to pay off, and a permanent discharge extends the time further. Medical students starting a new program may not receive further financial assistance depending on their history. Students may also need to renew their visas and pay for unexpected out-of-pocket funds.
Appeals
MUA encourages students to resolve issues with their instructor before it escalates into a grievance/appeals process. If there is no solution, students must attend a hearing governed by the Promotions or Disciplinary Committee. After the session concludes, the panel deliberates and recommends sanctions. The penalties range from probation to permanent expulsion.
Once students receive official correspondence notifying them of the decision, they have the right to appeal. Students must send a written letter to the University Registrar, who determines whether the appeal holds merit. If the request warrants a review, the Registrar forwards it to the appropriate review committee or Dean for a reevaluation.
Although there is no guarantee that an appeal will change the severity of sanctions, multiple factors come into play depending on how students argue their case. An attorney advisor guides students on approaching the appeals process to increase their chances of a reevaluation.
Why Hire an Attorney-Advisor
Medical students face a considerable amount of pressure to perform while completing their degrees. Some face issues that prevent them from performing well, while others make mistakes without knowing the repercussions. Even if a student's behavior is exemplary, poor academic performance can lead to probation and a delay in starting their careers. Students shouldn't have to spend years making up for a mistake, especially if the accusations are baseless.
An advisor understands what is at stake and ensures that students receive a fair hearing regardless of the charges. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento has years of experience working with students attending Caribbean medical schools. With the right defense strategy and solid support, students have a better chance of success and can fight back against unfair allegations.
Don't face the hearing process and the scrutiny of a panel alone. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to discuss your options.
