Minnesota is known for its lakes and forests, but it is also home to two prominent medical schools: the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and the University of Minnesota Medical School. As medical schools aimed at training doctors with effective patient care and medical knowledge, their standards are quite elevated. Many medical students have a hard time meeting these standards, and the anxiety and pressures catch up to them. Sometimes this results in dismissal or remediation proceedings, which can seem like a daunting prospect. But the important thing to remember is that an attorney advisor can help encourage the university to provide you with the proper resources.
Academic and Professionalism Policies for Minnesota Medical Students
Medical schools often require their students to sign a code of conduct before the first day of classes. This code ensures that students understand what the medical school expects of them, both academically and professionally. But the specifics will change from medical school to medical school. For instance, at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, they employ an Honor Code that asks students to refrain from plagiarizing, tampering with their grades, and cheating, as well as maintaining their professional integrity.
There are certain instances where your medical school may find that you have violated the code of conduct and bring you before a hearing committee. This committee will review your case and, if necessary, recommend you for remediation or dismissal. Typically, the case is then moved to a more appropriate committee where you will be given a chance to defend yourself. Working with an attorney advisor from the moment you hear of these impending proceedings will guarantee you the best possible outcome for your case.
Remediation at Minnesota Medical Schools
Most medical schools will try and help their students overcome academic and professional struggles. For instance, at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, the students will be reviewed at the end of every year to determine if they are ready to be promoted to the next year. A faculty member will review their exam scores and any notes the professors have made about the student. For upperclassmen, the faculty member will also review their clerkship scores and the clinical instructor's notes. If they see that the student is struggling to keep up or that they've failed a course, exam, or clinical clerkship, they will recommend them to the Dean of Students for remediation.
The Dean of Students will review their file and determine if they should be placed on a remediation plan, which essentially means the student will be allowed to retake the course, exam, or clinical clerkship. Sadly, not all schools abide by their own policies – some never offer the student a chance to remediate and instead move them to a dismissal committee hearing. If you feel like you need a remediation plan and your school is not creating one for you, an attorney-advisor will be able to present your case for remediation on your behalf. Sometimes it takes an outside source to put the university on notice.
Dismissal From a Minnesota Medical Program
In Minnesota, students are dismissed from medical school for a myriad of reasons outside of cheating and plagiarism. For instance, students can be brought before the dismissal committee if they are unable to achieve satisfactory grades in their selective or if they failed Step 1 of the USMLE. Both issues would require remediation, but if the student continues to fail them, the remediation program will refer them for dismissal.
Medical schools want their students to succeed, if not for the student, definitely for the medical school's reputation. No one wants to be known as the school that trained a doctor with loads of malpractice actions against them. Because of this, medical schools are continually testing their students on bother their professional abilities, like patient-centered care, but also on their medical and anatomical knowledge. If you are brought before the dismissal committee, an attorney advisor can properly defend you against unnecessary consequences like suspension or expulsion. Additionally, students who have been insufficiently defended may find that they are subject to other long-term consequences, like having to repay their student loans without a physician's salary.
Appeals
Medical schools owe their students certain due process rights. Generally, these rights surround being able to face your accuser, being able to defend yourself in person in front of the hearing committee, and asking for a grade change or remediation program. Additionally, all students are allowed to appeal committee decisions, and the committee must notify the student of where and when to submit their appeal, as well as what grounds an appeal can be made on.
It is important to remember that this is your last attempt to avoid an early dismissal or unwarranted sanctions. If the idea of filing an appeal is overwhelming, an attorney-advisor will be able to guide you and alleviate that anxiety. You deserve every chance to stay and fulfill the dream of becoming a doctor at this particular medical school.
Additionally, it is important to realize that sometimes, despite your best effort, an appeal will be denied. If this happens, your attorney advisor will exhaust every other option available to you, including contacting the Office of General Counsel at your medical school to negotiate on your behalf. Generally, these discussions are more fruitful than filing a lawsuit against the school.
Minnesota Medical Student Defense Advisor
Navigating the complexities of medical school can be overwhelming.
If you find yourself surrendering to the pressures of medical school, whether you think your school is unjustly dismissing you or you are having academic issues, an attorney advisor can help. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have years of experience helping medical students advocate for themselves to avoid unwarranted sanctions or untimely dismissals. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to discuss your case or schedule a time online.
