• Please offer a well reasoned and articulate discussion on a case which includes the rationale for the decision in same along with the ramifications thereof for business and society.

Case 9.3: Al-Dabagh v. Case Western Reserve University

The curriculum at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine identifies nine "core competencies." At the top of the list is professionalism, which includes "ethical, honest, responsible and reliable behavior." Amir Al-Dabagh enrolled at the medical school and did well academically. He even published several articles and won a special award for "Honors with Distinction in Research." But he sexually harassed fellow students, often asked an instructor not to mark him late for class, received complaints from hospital staff about his demeanor, and was convicted of driving while intoxicated. The university decided that Al-Dabagh lacked professionalism and refused to give him a diploma. He filed a suit in a federal district court against Case Western, alleging a breach of good faith and fair dealing. The court ordered the university to issue a diploma. The university appealed.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed. "Nothing in the record suggests that the university had impermissible motives or acted in bad faith."

In this case, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine decided that Al-Dabagh lacked professionalism and refused to give him a diploma. Is it appropriate to assess professionalism so early in a person's career? Yes. As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit observed in the Al-Dabagh case, "Professionalism has been a part of the doctor's role since at least ancient Greece." And the court explained that "it is entirely reasonable to assess the presence of professionalism early. For once a medical student graduates, we must wait for a violation before we may punish the absence of it."