More College of Podiatric Medicine Policies

• Academic and Summary Dismissals
• American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination (APMLE)
• Attendance
• Board Prep Exam
• Clerkship Rotations
• Clinical Rotations
• Course Exemptions
• Dress Code Violations in Clinic
• Eligibility for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree
• Essential Requirements for Student Education
• Examination Policy
• Immunizations, Background Checks and Drug Screening
• Leave of Absence Procedure
• Mediasite
• Professional Behavior
• Professionalism Deficiency Evaluation
• Promotion
• Readmission
• Remediation for Failing Grades
• Student Malpractice Insurance Coverage
• Test Review Procedure
• Transfer and Advanced Standing Admissions
• Withdrawal

Laboratory Participation During Pregnancy Download to print

There are many chemicals used in the Anatomy Laboratory in association with cadaver dissection. Some of these chemicals are known respiratory irritants and carcinogens and some can cause central nervous system disorders. Therefore, if a student knows that she is pregnant, suspects she is pregnant or is contemplating becoming pregnant, she is not permitted to be in the Anatomy Laboratory. Any student in this situation should immediately notify the division head of basic sciences to discuss her options.

Academic Option

1. Incoming student can choose to delay entry and enter the four-year program the following August
2. Student can take a one year leave of absence.

Medical Option

1. The college will send a letter to the student which:
   1. Explains the College Pregnancy Policy;
   2. Contains the Material Safety Data Sheets required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, describing the major chemicals that the student and her unborn child would he exposed to in the Anatomy Laboratory;
   3. Instructs the student to give these sheets to her obstetrician for review;
   4. Informs the student that without written permission from the obstetrician directly responsible for her care, the student will not be permitted in the Anatomy Laboratory; and
   5. Informs the student that the obstetrician directly responsible for the student’s care must send a letter bearing his/her signature to the senior associate dean of academic affairs and to the division head of basic science.
2. The obstetrician directly responsible for the student’s care must send a letter to the dean of the College of Podiatric Medicine and the division head of basic science, which contains the following elements:
   1. The obstetrician has read the initial letter from the college that was sent to the student;
   2. The obstetrician has read all of the Material Safety Data Sheets; and
   3. The obstetrician clearly states that in his/her judgment, it is safe for the student and her unborn child to spend
      1. four, and frequently more, hours per week in the Anatomy Lab for Gross Anatomy, and/or
      2. six, and frequently more, hours per week in the Anatomy Lab for Lower Extremity Anatomy and/or
      3. any time while pregnant, during her four years at College of Podiatric Medicine, in the Anatomy Lab.
3. If the college receives the physician’s letter and all of the above criteria have been met, then the student will be urged to implement the following precautions while in the lab:
   1. Comply with any and all protocols required by her physician; and
   2. Purchase (at student’s own expense) and wear while in the lab:
      1. a dual cartridge respirator or a PAPR system respirator or a device/mask that provides similar protection,
      2. Nitrile gloves and
      3. Tyvek coveralls.