Student affairs and resources

Statement on Fitness for Professional Responsibility

Fitness to assume professional responsibilities is demonstrated by maturity, emotional stability, honesty, integrity, showing respect for patients' dignity and rights, appropriate relationships to others, and the ability to accept and discharge the duties of the medical profession. Professionalism is evaluated in all four years of the curriculum. Accordingly, course and clerkship directors are encouraged to evaluate each student’s professional attitudes and behaviors, and to submit to the Associate Dean for Medical Education a written report describing a student’s professionalism. In addition, any faculty member may submit a written report describing any incident that might reflect either an unprofessional attitude or behavior or exemplary professionalism. All such reports are placed in the student's official medical school file.

On receipt of a report reflecting an unprofessional attitude or behavior, the Associate Dean for Medical Education will meet with the student to discuss the concern, and following consultation with members of the Dean’s staff, take appropriate action(s). The actions may include counseling, referral for an administrative interview as needed, education to prevent subsequent episodes of unprofessional behavior, referral to the Honor Board, or dismissal.

If the Associate Dean for Medical Education receives a second report of unprofessional attitude or behavior for any student and concludes that some action is appropriate, the receipt of that second report will be reflected in the student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation.

If the student disagrees with any decision reached by the Associate Dean for Medical Education, (s)he may within seven days of such notification appeal in writing to the Dean through the Student Promotion, Appeal and Grievance Committee. The process for the appeal and the standards upon which decisions are to be made are set forth in Section VII, B, infra.

Students who receive a commendation for exemplary professionalism are informed by the Associate Dean for Medical Education. Exemplary professionalism is identified in the student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation.