New records detail concerns, issues at MU medical school

Students and faculty discussed major transitions and a “tense and divided” feeling at the School of Medicine.

ABC 17 News obtained new information through an open records request about a town hall held on November 2.

Medical school dean Patrick Delafontaine fielded numerous questions from students, according to the minutes of the meeting, including the transition of Dr. Rachel Brown from her post as assistant dean of student programs in late October. Dr. Laine Young-Walker, the head of the child psychiatry division, has taken over in that spot. Dealfontaine hoped for a “seamless transition” between the professors, with Dr. Brown retaining her teaching role as a psychiatrist.

The minutes are redacted near the portion of the meeting that involved Dr. Brown. However, it also mentions the departure of Dr. Linda Headrick, assistant dean of education, in January 2017. Originally, Dr. Headrick was to retire “at the end of next year 2017.

“Recently she indicated she will step down from her current role beginning January 2017,” the notes said. A national search is underway to replace the assistant dean full-time.

Leaders sought to reassure students that little would change in their medical education, while the medical school seeks to keep accreditation. The federal Liaison Committee on Medical Education cited MU on just four of 96 topics, but what faculty considered “significant.” The school must improve affiliation agreements, diversity, student mistreatment and curriculum management, or risk losing accreditation in Spring 2018. The school will send its report on what action it’s taken by December 1.

MU’s reports of student mistreatment are double the national average, which at least confused Delafontaine, according to the minutes. In response, the school of medicine offers forums every second Friday of the month, and encouraged students to report any cases of mistreatment.

“I realize it is a hard thing to do but I want you to know I am behind you and there will be no repercussions,” the notes say, in part.

However, students expressed a “climate of fear,” and felt unable to speak up. The rest of the section is redacted, but comes back to talk about a “tense and divided” feeling, and a hope to work together again.

Dr. Young-Walker, a graduate and former resident at MU Health, told students she was “excited for this opportunity but sorry it was in this way.” She pledged the support of the Office of Medical Education staff, including the help of several other professors.