Doctor of Medicine

Definition and Recording of Student Status

The following status designations of a student will be determined and recorded on the student transcript in accordance with these rules by the Office of Integrated Medical Education (OIME), the policies and procedures of the Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion (COSEP), and the rules and policies of Rush University.  

• Full-time student: Any student enrolled in RMC, paying tuition or appropriate fees, and scheduled to take courses leading to the MD degree will be designated as a full-time student.
• Part-time student: RMC does not have a part-time student option available to students. 
• Independent Study (IS): RMC does not have an Independent Study option available to students.
• Leave of Absence (LOA): A student who, for a predetermined period of time, is not paying tuition and not actively enrolled or pursuing requirements for an MD degree at the College will be on an LOA. See the Leave of Absence Policy for additional information. 
• Dismissal:  Dismissal is the permanent administrative termination of a student.
• Withdrawal:  A student may voluntarily withdraw from RMC or may be administratively withdrawn if he/she fails to participate in courses according to the policies of RMC. Request for return from withdrawal must be submitted to OIME and will be adjudicated by COSEP.  

For purposes of LOA designation and reporting to external agencies (e.g. as in letters of recommendation for degree-programs or training fellowships), RMC students will be considered to be in Good Academic Standing (as per COSEP Policies and Procedures) if they meet all of the following criteria. This designation is not recorded on the student transcript.  

• Student is not currently engaged in a Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion (COSEP)-mandated remediation plan for academic, professionalism, or fitness for duty concerns
• Student has no current un-remediated course or clerkship failures
• Student has no current un-remediated failure to meet minimum passing level on an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
• Student has no current un-remediated failure on Step 1 or Step 2 (see COSEP Policies and Procedures for impact of this LOA on graduation requirements)
• Student has no current un-remediated failure to meet RMC Professionalism Standards including failure to complete academic requirements (including taking USMLE exams) by established deadlines

Remediation Plans

Note: The following is excerpted from the COSEP Policies & Procedures. See the full Policies and Procedures for more information.

On a case by case basis, COSEP will establish requirements for remediation plan for students with outstanding academic, professional, or fitness to practice deficiencies/concerns. In developing the remediation plan, COSEP may consult with a representative(s) from the OIME, the student and their advisor, and/or the course leader(s) to consider the needs of the individual students. COSEP will endeavor to develop a program, that, if completed, will strengthen the student’s prospects for successfully completing the remainder of his/her medical college program. The student is responsible for complying with all the requirements of a given plan as specified.

Student Notification of Remediation Plans: The COSEP will notify the student in writing of any COSEP action and prescribed remediation plan within 10 business days of the COSEP meeting.

Appeal of Remediation Plans: A student may dispute part or all of the COSEP-designed remediation plan by written appeal to the chair of the COSEP within 10 business days of receiving notification of the plan. Appeals are reviewed by the full COSEP. Decisions of the COSEP regarding appeal of a remediation plan are final.  

Failure to Complete a Remediation Plan: Failure to successfully complete a remediation plan will constitute grounds for dismissal.  

Dismissal from Rush Medical College

Note:  The following is excerpted from the COSEP Policies and Procedures. See the full Policies and Procedures for more information.

In discussions of student dismissal, COSEP is empowered to make recommendations only; final decisions regarding dismissal are made by the dean of Rush Medical College. 

1. Grounds for dismissal: The following will constitute grounds for consideration of dismissal from the College:
   • A failure to successfully complete a COSEP-mandated remediation plan.  
   • A subsequent presentation to COSEP for a new concern while currently on a COSEP-mandated remediation plan.
   • A failure in a second required core clerkship, (even if the prior failure had been successfully remediated) or a second failure of the same required clerkship. 
   • A determination by COSEP that a student is not fit to practice medicine:  
     • Failure to demonstrate the ability to be a competent and effective future physician.
     • Performance that does not reflect good moral character, sense of responsibility, sound judgment.
     • A single egregious act or pattern of unprofessional behavior.
   • Failure after three attempts to pass USMLE Step 1.
   • Failure after three attempts to pass USMLE Step 2 (both Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge sections of this Step) within six months of the first attempt including any time on leave of absence (LOA). 
   • Failure to successfully pass USMLE Step 1 within nine months of completing M2 coursework including any time on LOA.
   • Failure to successfully pass USMLE Step 2 within 12 months of completing M3 coursework including any time on LOA. 
   • Inability to successfully complete all M1 and M2 requirements (including USMLE Step 1) within three years of matriculation (excluding time on LOA). 
   • Inability to successfully complete all M1, M2, and M3 requirements within four years of matriculation (excluding time on LOA). 
   • Inability to successfully complete all requirements for graduation within five years of matriculation (excluding time on LOA).
2. Procedure for COSEP recommendation for dismissal: 
   • The student will meet criteria for dismissal as set forth in the COSEP Policies and Procedures in the immediately preceding section.
   • COSEP will review the entire academic record of the student while at RMC.
   • A recommendation for dismissal must be approved by COSEP by a majority of the voting members present by secret ballot.   Faculty will recuse themselves from discussion and/or voting in accordance with the COSEP Policies and Procedures and the RMC Prevention of Conflicts in Assessment and Promotion Policy. Course directors and required clerkship directors must recuse themselves from voting if the student presented has previously failed their course/clerkship.
   • Following a vote for dismissal, based on an individualized assessment of each student, COSEP will determine the level of student’s participation in the curriculum while awaiting the COSEP appeal process.  
   • The chair of the COSEP will notify both the student and the dean in writing of the COSEP’s recommendation for dismissal within two business days of the COSEP meeting. The chair of the COSEP will notify the student in writing of the opportunity to meet with COSEP (called Student Appeal to COSEP). The student should submit in writing to the chair of COSEP his or her intent to appeal this decision within 10 business days of the receipt of notification for a recommendation for dismissal.  If a student fails to submit a request for appeal within this time, the student’s right to appeal will be forfeited and the COSEP’s recommendation for dismissal will be forwarded to the dean of Rush Medical College. 
   • The chair of COSEP will also determine a deadline for completion of the appeal process should the student elect to appeal.  If a student fails to complete the appeal process within this deadline the recommendation for dismissal will be forwarded to the dean of Rush Medical College. 
3. Procedure for Student Appeal to COSEP:
   • The student will submit the request for appeal to COSEP and the appeal will be scheduled as outlined above. The Chair of COSEP will determine a deadline for the student to notify COSEP if he/she will have legal representative at the appeal.
   • During the appeal, the student may be accompanied by a representative, who may be an attorney. If the representative is an attorney, the representative will be limited to advising the student and will not be permitted to participate directly in the meeting.   the student is accompanied by an attorney, COSEP may also have an attorney present to advise the chair and Committee members. If the representative is an advocate, the representative may be invited to speak on the student’s behalf but will not be permitted to participate directly in the meeting.
   • A vote as to whether or not to uphold the dismissal recommendation will be taken by secret ballot, and the result will be determined by a majority vote of a quorum present.
     • Successful appeal: If the recommendation for dismissal is overturned, then COSEP will develop a remediation plan.
     • Unsuccessful appeal: If the recommendation for dismissal upheld, the COSEP recommendation will be forwarded to the dean of Rush Medical College.
     • The student will be notified in writing of the COSEP vote and decision within two business days of the COSEP meeting.
4. Dean’s Appeal Procedure: 
   • Students who have an unsuccessful appeal of a dismissal recommendation of COSEP will have an opportunity to appeal the dismissal recommendation to the Dean. The student must request such an appeal to the dean in writing within ten (10) business days from his/her receipt of the chair’s notice of unsuccessful appeal. If a student fails to submit a request for appeal within this time, the student’s right to appeal to the dean will be forfeited.
   • An appeal of the COSEP recommendation will be considered by the dean only in the following circumstances: 
     • The existence of procedural error(s) is so substantial that it would likely alter the ultimate outcome
     • Presentation of new and significant evidence which was not reasonably available at the time of the initial COSEP review or COSEP appeal and would likely alter the ultimate outcomes
     • The outcome imposed is substantially disproportionate to the violation;
     • A conflict of interest not previously addressed at COSEP or COSEP appeal level.
   • The dean has the option to have the student appeal heard by a panel of three faculty (such faculty shall have a background in medical education, shall not currently sit on COSEP, and shall have no conflict of interest with the student) or hear the appeal directly. The dean or the panel shall have the hearing within 10 business days of the student’s notification to pursue an appeal to the dean. Reasonable delays to this timeline may be allowed, if requested in writing by the student and approved by the dean. 
   • The chair of the COSEP will prepare the student’s COSEP file in advance for presentation to the Dean or the faculty panel. The student may submit additional material on their behalf at this time, in accordance with the grounds for appeal as stated above.  
   • The student is allowed to speak on their own behalf. The student may be accompanied by a representative, who may be an attorney. If the representative is an attorney, the representative will be limited to advising the student and will not be permitted to participate directly in the meeting.  If the representative is an advocate, the representative may be invited to speak on the student’s behalf but will not be permitted to participate directly in the meeting. The Dean or panel, as applicable, may have an attorney present who will serve only in an advisory capacity.   
   • The chair of COSEP and members of OIME will present the basis for the COSEP recommendation of dismissal to the dean or the faculty panel.  The dean or the panel will review the basis of the recommendation and the process followed by OIME and COSEP. 
   • The dean will review the recommendations from both COSEP and the faculty panel, if impaneled, and render the final decision for the student. The dean will endeavor to issue a final decision in writing to the student within 10 business days of the receipt of panel review recommendations or the appeal meeting with the student, if the dean elects to hear the appeal directly.

First and Second Years

Third and Fourth Years

Prior to the start of the third year, students participate in the Clinical Resources and Skills for the Hospital (CRASH) course, which is an intensive review of clinical skills.

Family Medicine Leadership Program (FMLP)

The Family Medicine Leadership Program, or FMLP, gives students the opportunity to engage in enhanced primary care clinical training and experiences throughout their four years of education. Students in the FMLP will participate in a curriculum specifically geared toward the tenets of a career in family medicine, emphasizing the impacts of family and community on health, the role of interdisciplinary care, and the development of skills in leadership and scholarly pursuit.

A maximum of five students will be admitted per cohort. Students register for the pass/fail course FAM 705 for every term in which they are enrolled in the FMLP. Students who desire to change paths during medical school may opt out of the FMLP.

• FAM - 705 Family Medicine Leadership Program (FMLP) Credit(s): 1

Health Equity & Social Justice Leadership Program

The Health Equity & Social Justice Program gives students the opportunity to engage enhanced clinical training and experiences focused on themes of global and local health equity/social justice. Students in the program will participate in a curriculum specifically geared toward a career focused on vulnerable populations, health equity and global health.

A maximum of twenty students will be admitted per cohort. Students register for the pass/fail course RMD 572 for every term in which they are enrolled in the Health Equity Program. Students who desire to change paths during medical school may opt out of the Health Equity Program.

• RMD - 705 Health Equity Program: Global and Local Perspective Credit(s): 1