Leave of Absence

General Information
The PLFSOM has a policy that requires that a student complete the curriculum within a six-year time frame to include any leaves of absence.
Students in Good Academic Standing
1. Leaves of absence for periods not to exceed one academic year may be granted by the Associate Dean for Students Affairs upon written request by a medical student in good academic standing. Reasons for leave may include, but a not limited to: financial distress necessitating full-time employment; an educational endeavor at another institution of higher grading and promotion education; and medical leave. Medical leave requests must further include a written statement from a physician that such a leave is indicated in the best interests of the student. The written request and physician statement (in the case of a medical leave) will be considered by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean will set and specify in writing the conditions for return upon termination of the leave and the student will indicate understanding by signing and returning a copy of the written letter which will be placed in his/her Student Affairs file. Student Affairs will inform the appropriate departments of such leave. At the time the student wishes to return, he/she will submit a letter of intent to the Associate Dean. In the case of short- term leaves of absence for acute illness or other emergency, the student will be responsible for arranging to complete any missed work.
2. If a student requests to extend a leave beyond one year, he/she will be withdrawn from the curriculum and will need to apply for re-admission to the Admissions Committee in its regular process for consideration of medical school applicants, unless he/she is granted a leave extension by an appeal to the Dean as described below. (See Appeal for Denial of Leave or Re- entry)
Students Not in Good Academic Standing
1. If the student requesting leave is in academic difficulty, the leave request will be forwarded to the Grading and Promotions Committee for consideration and disposition. If the need for the decision is urgent, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Chair and Chair- elect of the Grading and Promotions Committee may make a joint decision regarding granting of the leave, duration of the leave and conditions for re-entry that will be furnished in writing to the student. The student will indicate understanding by signing and returning a copy of the written letter that will be placed in his/her Student Affairs file. Student Affairs will inform the appropriate departments of such leave. At the time the student wishes to return, he/she will submit a letter of intent to the Associate Dean. The Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and where applicable, the Chair and Chair-elect of the Grading and Promotions Committee, and/or the Grading and Promotions Committee itself will determine whether the criteria for re-entry have been met. In the case of a medical leave, a written report from the student’s physician and/or an independent assessment of the student’s condition by another physician may be required.
  
  Any student in poor academic standing who requests a second medical leave of absence within two years of the first must follow the same procedure; however, the Grading and Promotion Committee will review the student’s entire academic record, history of medical leaves, and documentation of progress in treatment to decide if the student will be allowed to re-enter the medical school curriculum. If a student is allowed to re-enter, the conditions for re-entry will be specified at that time.
2. If a student requests to extend a leave beyond one year, he/she will be withdrawn from the curriculum and will need to apply for re-admission to the Admissions Committee in its regular process for consideration of medical school applicants, unless he/she is granted a leave extension by an appeal to the Dean as described below. (See Appeal for Denial of Leave or Re- entry)
Appeal for Denial of Leave or Re-entry
In the event a student’s request for leave or re-entry is denied, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean of the PLFSOM. The Dean may hear the matter directly or may appoint a 3- member faculty committee to hear the matter and make recommendations to him. The Dean’s decision will be final.
Medical Leaves of Absence
1. Medical leaves of absence may be granted by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Request for a medical leave must include a written statement from a physician that such a leave is indicated in the best interest of the student. The written request by the student and substantiating information from the physician will be considered by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. If the student is in good academic standing, the Associate Dean may grant a medical leave for a period of up to one academic year. He will notify the appropriate departments of the student’s leave and set the conditions for return upon termination of the leave. Granting of the leave and conditions for re-entry will be furnished in writing to the student and a copy will be placed in his/her Student Affairs file.
2. If the student is not in good academic standing, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will consult with the Chair and Chair-elect of the Grading and Promotions Committee, and they will either deliberate as a group or refer to the Grading and Promotions Committee the decision on granting of leave, duration of leave, and conditions for re-entry. Granting of the leave and conditions for re-entry will be furnished in writing to the student and a copy will be placed in his/her Student Affairs file. Upon completion of a medical leave, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and where applicable, the Chair and Chair-elect of the Grading and Promotions Committee, and/or the Grading and Promotions Committee itself will determine whether the criteria or conditions for re-entry have been met. They may require a written report from the student’s ‘physician and/or may require an independent assessment of the student’s ‘condition by another physician of their designation.
  
  If a student in poor academic standing requests a second medical leave of absence within two years of the first leave, the student must again produce a written request along with a written statement by a physician supporting the request. The leave may then be granted as per the procedure noted above for up to one year. However, granting of a second leave under these circumstances will not guarantee that a student may return to the medical curriculum. At the time the student wishes to return, the student will produce a written request to do so along with a letter from an appropriate physician that supports that request. The Grading and Promotions Committee will then deliberate as to whether or not the student will be allowed to re-enter the curriculum. This decision will be based on a review of the entire academic record, history of medical leaves, and documentation of progress in treatment. If a student is allowed to re-enter, the conditions for re-entry will be specified at that time.
3. A request for an absence longer than one year will necessitate the withdrawal of the student. The student will make application for readmission through the regular admissions process.
Appeal for Denial of Leave
1. In the event a student’s request for leave is denied, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean of the PLFSOM. The Dean may hear the matter directly or he may appoint a 3-member faculty committee to hear the matter and make recommendations to him. The Dean’s decision will be final.
2. In the event a student on medical leave of absence is denied re-entry, the student may appeal in writing to the Dean of the School of Medicine. The Dean may hear the matter directly or he may appoint a 3-member faculty committee to hear the matter and make recommendations to him. The Dean’s decision will be final.
Appeal for Denial of Leave
1. In the event a student’s request for leave is denied, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean of the PLFSOM. The Dean may hear the matter directly or he may appoint a 3-member faculty committee to hear the matter and make recommendations to him. The Dean’s decision will be final.
2. In the event a student on medical leave of absence is denied re-entry, the student may appeal in writing to the Dean of the School of Medicine. The Dean may hear the matter directly or he may appoint a 3-member faculty committee to hear the matter and make recommendations to him. The Dean’s decision will be final.