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The Eleventh Circuit has upheld a ruling favoring Florida International University (FIU) in a legal battle initiated by a former medical student, Elie Nehme. The court concluded that Nehme's removal from the program was due to academic shortcomings, not discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In its opinion, the court stated that Nehme failed to meet the medical school’s academic requirements despite being provided accommodations for his ADHD and anxiety disorder. The court emphasized that the ADA requires institutions to offer reasonable accommodations but does not obligate them to retain students who cannot meet their academic standards.

Nehme, who repeated his second year and failed multiple courses, argued that FIU’s accommodations were insufficient and his dismissal was discriminatory. However, the court pointed out that he had been given multiple opportunities to remediate exams, a leave of absence, and other support, which were unsuccessful in enabling him to meet the program's requirements.

The court also noted that faculty decisions regarding Nehme's dismissal were unanimous, with several university committees affirming that he lacked the skills to advance to the fourth year.

While Nehme alleged improper accommodations during one exam, the court found that even if true, his performance across other exams and courses demonstrated a pattern of academic failure.

This ruling reinforces the legal precedent that educational institutions are afforded deference in their academic decisions, provided they act within the bounds of federal disability law. Nehme's legal team has not ruled out seeking further review, but FIU’s attorneys have not commented on the decision.

The case, Nehme v. Florida International University Board of Trustees, is filed under case number 22-13945 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.