The Saint Louis University School of Medicine placed Stuart Slavin, MD, associate dean for curriculum and a professor in the school's pediatric department, on sabbatical, according to St. Louis Public Radio.
Officials reportedly placed Dr. Slavin on sabbatical "so that he [could] transition to the next phase of his career," according to the report. Administrators notified students and staff of the decision this week.
Dr. Slavin reportedly instituted a number of changes to the medical school's curriculum to improve students' overall health, including introducing wellness classes and implementing a pass/fail grading system for first- and second-year students. His policies also helped the school drop its rate of reported depression among first-year students to 4 percent, according to the report.
Many students and staff expressed dismay over Dr. Slavin's departure and have reportedly created a petition to reinstate him. Students have also planned a protest for May 11, according to the report.
News of the decision comes just after the Liaison Committee on Medical Education placed the medical school on probation in March. The committee said the medical school must remedy curricular deficiencies within a two-year period or risk having its accreditation status withdrawn.