misdemeanor while IN med school

[koalax3]

---

Members do not see this ad.

a

 

[BKN]

I know what I did was really horrible and wrong but I'm really worried about all the legal ramifications of a DUI while in med school. This occurred while IN med school and not before the application process. However, I was wondering if anyone knew of any friends that went through a similar process. Did they get kicked out of med school or what kind of disciplinary action was taken? Also how does your med school find out?

Lastly, I know that residency applications don't ask for misdemeanors but right before they hire you...(I think after the match) they do a background check usually, so would something like that if it's a one time incident and the rest of the application is stellar make them take away their offer?

Thank you.

I don't know what your school would do, but it would be taken very seriously.

I believe that the match agreement specifies that false information is reason for negating the contract. I believe you have to reveal felony convictions but not misdismeanors. I doubt that a residency program could renege on the basis of a discovered misdemeanor. On the other hand if you were my resident and it came up on the background check, you'd be in my sights for the next three years. Drunks and addicts (same thing really) are usually dangerous doctors.

bkn pd

 

[Ypo.]

I know what I did was really horrible and wrong but I'm really worried about all the legal ramifications of a DUI while in med school. This occurred while IN med school and not before the application process. However, I was wondering if anyone knew of any friends that went through a similar process. Did they get kicked out of med school or what kind of disciplinary action was taken? Also how does your med school find out?

Lastly, I know that residency applications don't ask for misdemeanors but right before they hire you...(I think after the match) they do a background check usually, so would something like that if it's a one time incident and the rest of the application is stellar make them take away their offer?

Thank you.

Nah, you'll be fine. We had a doctor talk to us who had a whole bunch of DUIs (he was a drug addict) and they never took his license away. Finally after years of drug abuse and operating on pts under the influence, they gave him the choice of rehab or losing his license.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

I know what I did was really horrible and wrong but I'm really worried about all the legal ramifications of a DUI while in med school. This occurred while IN med school and not before the application process. However, I was wondering if anyone knew of any friends that went through a similar process. Did they get kicked out of med school or what kind of disciplinary action was taken? Also how does your med school find out?

Lastly, I know that residency applications don't ask for misdemeanors but right before they hire you...(I think after the match) they do a background check usually, so would something like that if it's a one time incident and the rest of the application is stellar make them take away their offer?

Thank you.

Only tell if specifically asked (i.e. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor). Check your school policy and see if it says you are required to report an arrest. Even if you do, I dont know how they'd find out. Not suggesting anything here

 

[ocean11]

Hi,

I don't think its your school's buisness about your DUI. It's good that you feel bad about it and will NEVER repeat it (RIGHT!!?!?) but I don't think its anyone's buisness....... if you currently have a felony and if the residency programs ask about it then you'll have to disclose it, but if no one asks than its no one's buisness bottom line!!!

Good Luck and seriously don't DRINK AND DRIVE in the future!!! its just stupid and COMPLETELY immoral!!

I know what I did was really horrible and wrong but I'm really worried about all the legal ramifications of a DUI while in med school. This occurred while IN med school and not before the application process. However, I was wondering if anyone knew of any friends that went through a similar process. Did they get kicked out of med school or what kind of disciplinary action was taken? Also how does your med school find out?

Lastly, I know that residency applications don't ask for misdemeanors but right before they hire you...(I think after the match) they do a background check usually, so would something like that if it's a one time incident and the rest of the application is stellar make them take away their offer?

Thank you.

 

[tigershark]

It sounds like this just happened, so the first thing you should do is get a good lawyer and fight this thing until you are completely out of options. If this is your first offense you could likely get it thrown out or have the charges reduced.

You will regret it for the rest of your life if this ends up on your record.

Not to be dramatic, but a DUI can ruin your life, I've seen it happen.

 

[OMFSCardsFan]

Drunks and addicts (same thing really) are usually dangerous doctors.

That's a bold statement calling someone who got one DUI a drunk. It could happen to anyone. There aren't many people that can honestly say that they've NEVER driven after having a drink or two. I'm not trying to condone the behavior, but I think that was a little harsh.

 

[ShyRem]

If you look at statistics, people who get caught on their *first* DUI have driven an *average* of 3-4 times drunk prior to being caught that first time. The likelihood of actually being caught DUI the very first time you are impaired is very slim.

 

[ShyRem]

OH- and having ONE (or usually even two normal sized drinks unless you are very petite) drink will *not* make you DUI. And, for those who don't know what a normal sized drink is: one regular sized bottle of beer = one 4oz glass of wine = one shot of hard liquor. Generally you can have one an hour (with food!) and not be impaired. More than that and you're asking for trouble.

 

[BKN]

That's a bold statement calling someone who got one DUI a drunk. It could happen to anyone. There aren't many people that can honestly say that they've NEVER driven after having a drink or two. I'm not trying to condone the behavior, but I think that was a little harsh.

I'm sorry, did you not read the post? I said nothing of the sort. What I said, and I will repeat it is that a DUI is a big red flag and I would be disturbed and vigilant if I had such a resident.

BTW, After 25 years of doing this, I've done this several times and I do know of which I speak.

 

[Paws]

Learning Experience: what can I learn from this? what do I need to do to make sure this does not happen again? how can I repair the (possibly) incredibly serious nature of what I just did? why did I drink and drive? is this my first time doing this? can I stop it and never do it again?

So, it is very serious; what if there had been an accident. You know, another car, kids. A friend of mine had her best friend killed by a drunk driver. She was 5 months pregnant with her first child and just driving down the highway to the mall on a sunday afternoon.

Learning Experience, red flag. What can I do to make sure it will never happen again? Ask youself these questions. Make sure you are never the driver of that car, that would be something you would regret even more. 30 seconds of drunk driving can cost you a lifetime.

(Did I scare you well enough yet? 😉 )

 

[anon-y-mouse]

That's a bold statement calling someone who got one DUI a drunk. It could happen to anyone. There aren't many people that can honestly say that they've NEVER driven after having a drink or two. I'm not trying to condone the behavior, but I think that was a little harsh.

I know plenty of people (not that that matters). However, how can the behavior be excused if we have been exposed to so many "don't drink and drive"-based campaigns in our lives? It's pretty much the biggest slogan ever after "wear a condom before sex".

 

[chef_NU]

It sounds like this just happened, so the first thing you should do is get a good lawyer and fight this thing until you are completely out of options. If this is your first offense you could likely get it thrown out or have the charges reduced.

You will regret it for the rest of your life if this ends up on your record.

Not to be dramatic, but a DUI can ruin your life, I've seen it happen.

I agree with tigershark here. Even if it ends up costing you several thousand dollars in legal fees, you should try to fight this with everything you've got.

 

[MeowMix]

A lot of states have some kind of process by which you self-disclose to the group that handles physicians with drug/alcohol/mental health/physical health problems, and as long as you comply with their treatment recommendations you do not have to disclose the issue on licensing applications. I would at least get in touch with this group, if I were you.

 

[t33sg1rl]

I agree with most others... try to fight it. Sometimes the judge will let you plead guilty to something else (like reckless driving, speeding, failure to control your vehicle, etc) and toss the DUI.

Something else you can do to come through smelling like roses: Your school probably has an advising/counseling office, you know, where you go when your academics start slipping. I'd make an appointment and talk about how shocked you are at your own behavior, and how you want to really look at your drinking and make sure it never happens again. Your counselor/advisor person will undoubtedly have a chance to contribute to your Dean's letter, so make it good. This shows that 1) You didn't try to hide it from your school and 2) you are truly repentant. Your advisor-type person will also be able to tell you what the rules are about reporting to any school authorities or committees.

 

[Ghost]

It's pretty much the biggest slogan ever after "wear a condom before sex".

actually, i think condoms are most effective when worn DURING sex.

 

[mjl1717]

It sounds like this just happened, so the first thing you should do is get a good lawyer and fight this thing until you are completely out of options. If this is your first offense you could likely get it thrown out or have the charges reduced.

You will regret it for the rest of your life if this ends up on your record.

Not to be dramatic, but a DUI can ruin your life, I've seen it happen.

This is decent advice, a good lier I mean lawyer could have the charge greatly diminished depending on his contacts and/or get you a sealed record.
Shell out some $$$!

 

[PoorMD]

I'm sorry, did you not read the post? I said nothing of the sort. What I said, and I will repeat it is that a DUI is a big red flag and I would be disturbed and vigilant if I had such a resident.

BTW, After 25 years of doing this, I've done this several times and I do know of which I speak.

p.s. why would a practicing M.D. waste his/her time on this thread?

 

[Ypo.]

p.s. why would a practicing M.D. waste his/her time on this thread?

I know I plan on talking to students still in school when I become a physician. Why would any doctor waste their time coming to our medical schools and teaching us? We'd be in deep $hit if they didn't.

But I wouldn't post here long if I kept getting flamed for it.

 

[Gimlet]

So 25 years of medical practice? did anyone ask?
You come onto an allo thread to throw arround your authoritative tone like it's golden, and should be treated as such? I've found most people are more receptive to folks who use less of the 'holier than thou because i've been at it for XX years" crap.. If we met in person, maybe it would be different. Gray hair and a badge with letters M.D. does a lot to change an interaction. But over the internet, you are not the God you think you are in clinic.

p.s. why would a practicing M.D. waste his/her time on this thread?

BKN is the program director of an Emergency Medicine residency. His posting history is very even-handed, and he has proven himself to know what he's talking about many times. I, for one, would take anything he says at or above face value.

 

[ShyRem]

poorMD, I sincerely hope you're not going to apply for the EM program BKN runs.

 

[BKN]

So 25 years of medical practice? did anyone ask?
You come onto an allo thread to throw arround your authoritative tone like it's golden, and should be treated as such? I've found most people are more receptive to folks who use less of the 'holier than thou because i've been at it for XX years" crap.. If we met in person, maybe it would be different. Gray hair and a badge with letters M.D. does a lot to change an interaction. But over the internet, you are not the God you think you are in clinic.

p.s. why would a practicing M.D. waste his/her time on this thread?

I wasn't talking about medical practice, I was tallking about medical education. In fact the OP did ask how this might affect his chances at residency. I was telling him how I as a residency director feel about this.

Over the years I've lost more residents to drugs and alcohol than to disease. I'm tired of suicides; I'm tired of people ruining their career.

p.s. Somebody said that those who do not know history are condemmed to repeat it. Around our shop we say that good judgment is generally the result of bad judgment, hopefully somebody else's. I grew up in the 60's, resenting "the man". Then I watched cousins and colleagues ruin their lives and some of them died. I don't "waste my time" on an allopathic thread, but if somebody asks the question, I'll answer it.

 

[SoCuteMD]

It's pretty much the biggest slogan ever after "wear a condom before sex".

And I hear during is a pretty good idea as well 😛

 

[SoCuteMD]

So 25 years of medical practice? did anyone ask?
You come onto an allo thread to throw arround your authoritative tone like it's golden, and should be treated as such? I've found most people are more receptive to folks who use less of the 'holier than thou because i've been at it for XX years" crap.. If we met in person, maybe it would be different. Gray hair and a badge with letters M.D. does a lot to change an interaction. But over the internet, you are not the God you think you are in clinic.

p.s. why would a practicing M.D. waste his/her time on this thread?

Dude, can you lay off BKN. The guy seriously knows his stuff, and has always been very helpful in providing information and reassurance to those of us still "climbing the ladder." When he speaks, I'd listen.

 

[PoorMD]

Dude, can you lay off BKN. The guy seriously knows his stuff, and has always been very helpful in providing information and reassurance to those of us still "climbing the ladder." When he speaks, I'd listen.

Yes you are right, It was not right to be so harsh in my response to BKN.
I let him know I was in the wrong. I also had no idea about his background, because I am somewhat new to SDN.

 

[SoCuteMD]

Yes you are right, It was not right to be so harsh in my response to BKN.
I let him know I was in the wrong. I also had no idea about his background, because I am somewhat new to SDN.

Way to step up 🙂.

 

[BKN]

Yes you are right, It was not right to be so harsh in my response to BKN.
I let him know I was in the wrong. I also had no idea about his background, because I am somewhat new to SDN.

Yes, you did. 🙂

And SoCute, Shy, Andy and ypo, I appreciate your support. 🙂