While individuals might perceive behaviors differently, examples of unprofessional behaviors prohibited by this policy include, but are not limited to being:
threatened with physical harm or physically harmed
required to perform personal services
subjected to offensive remarks related to gender, sexual orientation, national origin, race, color, religion, or any other category protected by law
denied opportunities for training or rewards based upon membership in a protected group
subjected to lower evaluations or grades solely because of membership in a protected group
publicly embarrassed or humiliated
subjected to unwanted sexual advances
asked to exchange sexual favors for grades or other rewards
subjected to the threat of revoking visa status for foreign nationals
Mount Sinai has a zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional behaviors directed at students and trainees. Zero tolerance means that all reported incidents are scrutinized and result in an action plan that may include feedback, remediation, or disciplinary action. Although under certain circumstances unprofessional behavior directed at students and trainees may require disciplinary action, we recognize in such episodes an opportunity to develop, improve, and remediate behaviors that detract from a learning and working environment of which we can all be proud.
Students can learn about the process of reporting mistreatment on the Mistreatment and Unprofessional Behaviors Directed at Students and Trainees website.
Students can report mistreatment through the ISMMS Experience Report.
Students and trainees may seek advice and guidance about how to handle mistreatment and unprofessional behaviors directed at them and are encouraged to formally report these incidents. There are several ways for learners to share their concerns, including through real-time reporting mechanisms and mechanisms for periodic review (course evaluations or periodic surveys). All reports, whether made in real-time or during periodic review, must be submitted via the Feedback Form or as specified on this page. Reports will be reviewed by the respective office that oversees the learner/trainee. The person submitting a real-time report can also designate whether he or she wants to have the concern addressed immediately or to delay the review until a period of time has passed. Anonymous reports of mistreatment and unprofessional conduct may be submitted; however, Mount Sinai’s ability to investigate an anonymous report may be limited. Reports of alleged mistreatment and unprofessional behavior directed at students and trainees will be reviewed and handled in a timely manner. Seeking advice or guidance is not considered filing a report. Reports may only be made through the Feedback Form referenced above or the avenues specified on this page.
Mount Sinai prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at Title IX | Icahn School of Medicine (mssm.edu).
Retaliation against or intimidation of any individual who seeks advice, raises a concern, or reports unprofessional misconduct or mistreatment in good faith will not be tolerated. Anyone who deliberately makes a false accusation with the purpose of harming or retaliating against another member of the ISMMS community will be investigated and appropriately addressed.
Compliance Hotline: 800-853-9212
GME Office: 212-241-6694
Office of Human Resources: 212-241-4097
Ombuds Office: 212-659-8848
Title IX Coordinator: Rebecca Anderson 212-540-8669 or TitleIX@mssm.edu
The Ombuds Office is not a mechanism for reporting mistreatment and unprofessional behavior. Ombudspersons are available to provide neutral, confidential, and informal assistance with conflict resolution. The Ombuds Office follows best standards of practice that are necessary to promote fair and equitable outcomes.
Mistreatment and Other Unprofessional Behaviors Directed at Students and Trainees
This policy clarifies expectations for educator actions and behaviors related to mistreatment and other unprofessional behavior directed at students and trainees. It details how learners can report mistreatment and unprofessional behaviors directed at them and how the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program, Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and the ISMMS affiliated hospitals (collectively “Mount Sinai”) review and handle such reports. This policy also provides a process for reporting and recognizing positive behaviors and excellence in teaching or mentoring.
Mount Sinai is dedicated to providing its students, postdocs, residents, clinical fellows, faculty, staff, and patients with an anti-racist learning environment of respect, dignity, equity, inclusion, trust, and support that protects civil and professional discourse and is free from mistreatment and other unprofessional behaviors directed at students and trainees. Mount Sinai is also committed to ensuring an environment in which students and trainees feel free to report such behaviors without fear of retaliation.
Educators (defined broadly to include anyone in a teaching or mentoring role, including faculty, postdocs, residents, clinical fellows, nurses, staff, and students) bear significant responsibility for creating and maintaining this environment. As role models and evaluators, educators must practice appropriate professional behavior toward, and in the presence of, students and trainees, who are particularly vulnerable given their dependent status.
Everyone at Mount Sinai deserves to experience a professional learning and working environment. These guidelines supplement the institutional policies on professional conduct, discrimination, harassment, grievances, and sexual misconduct; will assist in developing and maintaining optimal learning environments; and encourage educators to accept their responsibilities as representatives of ISMMS in their interactions with colleagues and patients. This policy is closely aligned with our institution’s Cultural Transformation efforts, the ISMMS Racism and Bias Initiative, and related policies.
Mistreatment and unprofessional behaviors directed at students and trainees interfere with the learning environment, adversely impact well-being and the trainee-mentor relationship, and have the potential for negatively impacting patient care and research. Inappropriate and unacceptable behaviors can promote an atmosphere in which mistreatment and unprofessional behaviors directed at students and trainees is accepted and perpetuated in medical and graduate education. Reports relating to the clinical setting will be reviewed in accordance with the principles detailed in this policy as part of the relevant hospital’s quality assurance program.