The University of Florida College of Medicine grants several degrees, including M.D., or Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine-Doctor of Philosophy (M.D.-Ph.D.), and Physician Assistant (P.A.) degrees. The college established itself in 1956, and it enjoys high amounts of sponsored and underwritten research.
As this is the case, the University of Florida College of Medicine has a wide variety of programs. The school places a particular interest in breast cancer, bone marrow cancer, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal cancer research.
If a medical student faces disciplinary action at the University of Florida College of Medicine, they need to take care. The medical field has extremely high standards. Medical students are not exempt from this pressure; it starts from the beginning. Any disciplinary action or dismissals that a medical student accrues could have permanent consequences for their entire future.
The best thing that a medical student can do, if they are facing disciplinary action, is to hire an experienced attorney-advisor. A school disciplinary board is not a court of law, but a legal professional will be able to recommend courses of action and help concerned students work towards minimizing damage to their record.
Professionalism Standards and Expectations at University of Florida College of Medicine
As the College of Medicine works to ensure that each of its students graduates ready to begin a successful medical career, the College of Medicine does have high expectations regarding medical student professionalism. In all interactions with patients, colleagues, and staff, a medical student must be compassionate and caring. The College of Medicine continually evaluates its students in this regard.
Further, the College of Medicine makes it clear that behavior inconsistent with compassionate, comprehensive care could constitute grounds for dismissal.
By the time a student graduates, the College of Medicine expects that its students will be able to:
- Apply and discuss ethical standards of practice
- Demonstrate empathetic, respectful, and compassionate care
- Embrace their role as a patient advocate
- Demonstrate a well-formed character with attributes including accountability, courage, honesty, and humility
- Balance their personal, social, and clinical responsibilities well
If a student does not meet these expectations, that student can expect action from the school.
Details of the Dismissal and Discipline Process
If a student at the University of Florida College of Medicine is on probation and receives a grade lower than a ‘C' in any course, they may face dismissal from the school. Probation itself is a response to unprofessional behavior or failure to meet academic standards. The college regularly reviews every student's progress to determine who needs to be on probation.
If the disciplinary committee at the University of Florida College of Medicine determines that a student has demonstrated unprofessional behavior, there are a few actions that may happen, including:
- The student may receive a letter warning them about the unacceptability of their behavior in writing.
- The school may encourage the student to seek professional help.
- A second documented case of unprofessional behavior will initiate probation for the student.
- If the incident happens a third time, the medical student will have to appear before school officials to make the claim that they deserve to continue in medical school.
- If a student has committed a criminal act, persistent substance abuse, endangered a patient, or committed another egregious act, the school may deem dismissal an option earlier in the disciplinary process.
Remediation at the College of Medicine
Remediation refers to the process by which a student works to get back on track after dipping, for a time, below standards. Medical school is challenging, and the administration does realize this. If you have committed one act of unprofessionalism or suffered a few lower grades, the College of Medicine may reach out to you with options for remediation - such as tutoring or the repetition of classes. The school tends to use remediation as an alternative to dismissal, or a measure used to guide students away from actions that could end their medical career.
Probation is another form of remediation, and it constitutes a time where the administration of the school will watch a medical student and their academic performance very closely.
Appeals: Your Options
The Associate Dean for Students Affairs will contact a student to inform them of academic action against them, such as probation or dismissal. The student may appeal this decision but must wait at least five business days after receiving the notification about their recommended discipline.
The appeals process will include a personal appearance, at which the medical student can have an adviser. The adviser will not represent the student, but can help the student in an advisory role. The student will make an opening and closing statement. After this, the student must file a formal appeal within ten business days.
Any decision made after the appeals process is final. If students are successful in their appeal, they will automatically continue to be on probation for one year after the appeal hearing.
Effective Legal Advisor for Medical Students Ready to Help You
Medical students who face dismissal have a lot on the line; they and their families have spent years investing in their careers. Their academic and professional records must be spotless - as medical schools also have high standards and requirements for their own reputations.
If a student faces disciplinary hearings for professional concerns, they may find that they experience unfair treatment due to the pressurized environment at many medical schools. This may happen at the University of Florida College of Medicine - and it may happen to your student. Unfair treatment during the disciplinary process could result in disproportionate punitive measures, ones which could adversely affect a student for the rest of their lives.
An attorney advisor can help a student protect their interests and their future by protecting their rights. An attorney advisor may also be able to help a student avoid dismissal - and all of the associated negative repercussions.
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience assisting medical school students who face disciplinary action at schools nationwide. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 today to learn more.
