The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University values diversity and inclusion both in and outside the classroom.  We believe that variability amongst our learners and neurodiversity are important considerations in academic support.  Our goal is to partner with our adult learners to provide a physically and educationally accessible environment to all students.  For those students with documented learning issues or physical disabilities, accommodations are available by request.

Requesting Accommodations

Students are responsible for requesting accommodations in a timely manner so that the administration has ample time to make appropriate arrangements.

1. Complete and submit an Accommodations Request Form.
2. Ensure that all relevant documentation has been submitted to Nicole Kaimer.
3. Make an appointment to discuss your request with nicole_kaimer@brown.edu.

Other Student Responsibilities

The Medical School partners with students to best ensure academic success. Students are responsible for proactively seeking accommodations and taking advantage of appropriate academic and personal support when necessary. This may include meeting with our Learning Specialist consultant and taking advantage of peer tutors.

Basic Information for Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), building on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, mandates that: no qualified person with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives or benefits from federal financial assistance. According to federal regulations, otherwise qualified students with documented disabilities are entitled to equal treatment at institutions of higher education, and to reasonable accommodation if needed.

The academic program at The Warren Alpert Medical School represents essential core curricula. Students admitted should be capable of completing the full curriculum of required courses and electives under the established university policies. All students and applicants must be capable of meeting the technical standards for medicine for their program of study with or without reasonable accommodation.

Accommodations can be made for disabilities, but all students must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. While aids and intermediaries may be accommodated they may not substitute for essential clinical skills or supplement clinical and ethical judgment. Thus, accommodations cannot eliminate, replace or stand in the stead of essential program elements.

Students in the medical school have the right to file grievances/appeals alleging that they are being subjected to prohibited discriminatory treatment in a program or activity of the university based on their disability status.

Confidentiality

Disability information is held in the strictest confidence. All documentation and correspondence concerning a student's disability are kept in a locked file at the Medical School. Once appropriate accommodations have been granted, those tasked with implementing those accommodations do not have access to a student’s diagnostic information.

All questions about accommodations should be directed to Lorrie Gehlbach at Lorrie_Gehlbach@brown.edu.

Accessibility and Learning Specialist Nicole Kaimer is available for consultation and educational services. Students may choose to meet with her once or multiple times to address learning difficulties and strategize efforts to improve. Nicole works to help students with:

• Assessing academic progress and developing strategies for improvement
• Designing specific study plans based on individual needs

Common issues that are addressed include:

• Study Skills
• Test-Taking Skills
• Time Management
• Building Test Confidence

Neuropsychological Assessment

Students experiencing ongoing difficulty with medical school academics may be offered a referral to a community provider for a neuropsychological evaluation. The neuropsychological evaluation may provide documentation of a learning disorder or disability that would enable the student to apply for accommodations such as extended exam time or a reduced distraction room in which to take an exam.

Student referrals to neuropsychological assessments are private.

To make an appointment with Nicole Kaimer, please contact her at nicole_kaimer@brown.edu.

Students are generally very well prepared for the USMLE licensing exams by the medical education curriculum here at The Warren Alpert Medical School. However, we also assist students in their preparation for these exams through content review sessions, tutoring, student panels, and group and individual planning meetings with the administrators in charge of preparation programming. For more information, please contact your individual Step advisor.

Tutoring is available through the Office of Medical Education. More information is available in Canvas.

Canvas