After the report was released in October, the school said that the probationary status was a result of a lack of adequate study and lounge space as well as administrative and curriculum issues. However, the Post article cites many more problems.
For example, the evaluation noted that GW did an poor job of monitoring students while with patients and ensuring that student's clinical experiences relate to classroom learning since some of the doctors monitoring the clinics are not GW faculty.
Also, it was noted that GW's student debt levels are among the highest in the country, and that students complained of mistreatment, primarily belittlement and humiliation, at a higher than average level. The Post cites the national average at 17 percent.
While not directly related, the Post also brings to light a conflict of interest by John F. Williams, GW's provost and vice president for health affairs. In addition to his role at GW, the article says that Williams also has received money and stock options for serving on the board of directors of Universal Health Services, the company which owns the university hospital. Williams was asked to resign from the corporation board and the University has accepted his resignation, effective by the end of the academic year.
GW's School of Medicine and Health Sciences is currently the only medical school in the country on probation and in the past fifteen years, only five in the country - including GW - have earned such a status. The school has submitted a plan to correct their errors and the American Medical Association and Association of American Medical College's Liaison Committee on Medical Education has endorsed the plan. The school is still accredited while on probation and it has until October 2010 to regain compliance.
To read the full Washington Post article, click here.
- Mallory Thompson
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