HOSPITAL STANDS BY DECISION TO TRANSFER MED STUDENTS

Monday, September 16, 2002
Source: Associated Press

SOUTH MIAMI, Fla. -- The chief of a hospital on Monday stood by his decision to ask that three medical students detained last week in a terror threat be transferred to a residency program at a different facility.

The three students were scheduled to begin the program at Larkin on Monday. But after Friday's incident, Michel said he asked Ross officials to transfer the students into another residency program.

"It's important to remember that the students sympathize with Larkin's position and understand," said David Kubiliun, one of four attorneys working pro bono to represent the students.

Kubiliun said the students would tell a more-complete version of their side of the story later Monday night on CNN's "Larry King Live." The students and some members of their legal team flew to Los Angeles late Sunday night and will make many television appearances in the coming days, Kubiliun said.

"We think it's important for them to get their story out there, because it will help clear their names," Kubiliun said.

Ross medical school chairman Timothy E. Foster said the students are, and will remain, in good academic standing with the institution. Foster said he expects the students to enroll as scheduled for their fifth semester of medical study.

"We have other rotations available and we will make them available to those students," Foster said.

More than 40 other Ross medical students began their nine-week clinical residency at Larkin as scheduled on Monday, Michel said.