Kieran Bhattacharya, a former medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine (UVA) recently lost his appeal stemming from his reprimand, suspension, and expulsion from UVA. Officially, he got kicked out of UVA due to his lack of professionalism following several incidents involving faculty members and family. A closer examination of the facts reveals it might have been more complicated. 

If you're a medical student who's been accused of not acting professionally, you must get in touch with the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team online or by calling 888-535-3686. The process of how medical schools assess a student's professionalism is vague, but the consequences for “unprofessionalism” can be severe.  

A History of Mental Illness  

Within a few months of starting medical school at UVA in the fall of 2016, Bhattacharya spent two weeks in a hospital for mental health issues and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a current manic episode, and psychosis. Over the next few years, Bhattacharya continued to struggle with his mental illness, which resulted in multiple involuntary commitments, as well as emergency custody and protective orders after allegedly threatening his mother and ex-girlfriend.  

There was also an October 2018 incident where Bhattacharya attended a faculty panel and aggressively questioned some of the panel's members about their thoughts on microaggressions. In response to this behavior, UVA sent Bhattacharya a letter stating he was disrespectful and unnecessarily antagonistic during the panel.  

UVA Disciplines Bhattacharya 

In November 2018, UVA held a meeting with Bhattacharya to discuss his enrollment status. After the meeting, UVA unanimously voted to suspend him for one year. Further problems, including threatening behavior, resulted in UVA expelling Bhattacharya. 

Bhattacharya's Lawsuit Against UVA 

Bhattacharya filed a lawsuit in September 2019, and his primary argument was that UVA retaliated against him because of the views he expressed during the faculty panel. 

The trial court concluded that UVA suspended and expelled Bhattacharya for reasons other than his behavior at the panel. 

On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit agreed that UVA punished Bhattacharya for his confrontational and threatening behavior, not his speech.  

The appeals court also found the due process Bhattacharya received was sufficient because the procedural protections normally required in a formal disciplinary action didn't apply to decisions on professionalism. 

The Problem with Disciplining Students Over Lack of Professionalism 

Bhattacharya's issues primarily stemmed from his mental illness. However, it may have been harder for UVA to dismiss Bhattacharya because of his mental illness because disability and discrimination laws may have applied. 

Additionally, because UVA dismissed Bhattacharya for professionalism reasons, he was afforded fewer due process protections. The appeals court recognized this wasn't a typical student discipline proceeding, so Bhattacharya wasn't entitled to the same due process rights. 

Get Help When Facing Professionalism Charges 

Bhattacharya's case shows why medical students accused of acting unprofessionally need to take immediate action. Medical schools can use allegations of unprofessionalism as a loophole to remove students without having to go through the more involved student disciplinary process. 

If you're a medical student facing a disciplinary proceeding, call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at 888-535-3686. Alternatively, you can use our online contact form. It's easier to fight charges before your school makes a decision that you want to appeal.