Saint Louis University School of Medicine students held a demonstration May 11 to protest the medical school's decision to place an associate dean on sabbatical, according to The St. Louis American.
Students gathered on the campus to share individual accounts of how Stuart Slavin, MD, associate dean for curriculum and a professor in the school's pediatric department, "supported, encouraged and counseled them" during their time in medical school.
The students also created a petition to reinstate Dr. Slavin, who was placed on a 12-month sabbatical last week. The petition reportedly garnered more than 600 signatures.
In a letter to students, staff and faculty last week, Ken Behrns, MD, dean of the SLU School of Medicine, said: "After many conversations, I have decided that a change in leadership in our curriculum development and oversight is needed. As a result, Dr. Stuart Slavin, associate dean for curriculum, will leave the School of Medicine following commencement exercises."
Dr. Slavin's departure comes just months after the Liaison Committee on Medical Education placed the medical school on probation. The medical school must remedy curricular deficiencies outlined by the committee within a two-year period or risk having its accreditation status withdrawn.
A spokesperson for the medical school told The St. Louis American the institution "is committed to providing the very best medical education [of] anywhere in the country, and [that it] supports the rights of our students to assemble and express their opinions."