local news
The doctor claims he was wrongfully fired because of his religious beliefs.
Tufts Medical Center sign in Boston.
A former doctor at Tufts Medical Center is suing the hospital for $6 million, alleging the hospital wrongfully fired him for refusing to receive a coronavirus vaccine because of his religious beliefs.
In a complaint filed Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court, Dr. Teresa Govana seeks damages for discrimination and wrongful termination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which would result in “a loss of future earnings and… “Significant loss of retirement benefits” occurred.
“I believe Dr. Govana has a very strong case,” Dr. Govana’s attorney, Richard Chambers Jr., wrote in an email to Boston.com. “She was entitled to a religious exemption by law.”
Dr. Govana worked as an emergency room physician for 29 years until he was fired on December 5, 2021 at the age of 61.
Tufts Medical Center implemented its own mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy on August 10, 2021, after the state determined that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an emergency.
The hospital notified employees that this new requirement will go into effect on October 18, 2021, unless a religious or medical exemption has been approved.
On September 3, 2021, Dr. Governor filed an application seeking a religious exemption.
Dr. Govana said that current COVID-19 vaccines were “developed or tested using aborted fetal cell lines” and that “the sanctity of human life, including the unborn child, is central to my faith.” This is my belief.” The use of this vaccine goes against my beliefs. ”
U.S. researchers have recreated cells first obtained from elective abortions in the 1970s and 1980s while developing some COVID-19 vaccines, according to the National Institutes of Health.
However, none of the three coronavirus vaccines authorized in the United States contain aborted fetal cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The lawsuit does not identify Mr. Governor’s specific denomination, but Pope Francis and many other Catholic leaders have said coronavirus vaccines are morally acceptable. Researchers have also used historic fetal cell lines to develop vaccines for hepatitis A, rubella, and rabies.
The hospital declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. However, the statement said, “COVID-19 vaccines, backed by hospital, state and federal vaccine mandates, are extremely effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from the coronavirus.” It has become an important tool.” It’s at the federal level. ”
The hospital rejected Dr. Governor’s claim of religious exemption and fired her shortly after refusing to vaccinate her.
The suit says the denial caused Dr. Govana to “know that he had to choose between his deeply held religious beliefs and the job he loved, resulting in extreme pain, tremendous stress, anxiety, sleepless nights, and deep… It claims to have caused “constant sadness.”
Dr. Govana was unable to find another job in his field and “suffered significant financial harm and extreme stress,” according to the lawsuit.
Her termination resulted in “loss of wages, loss of pension, loss of benefits, costs associated with surviving without an income, as well as extreme and severe emotional stress on her and her family.”
Under Title VII, it is illegal for an employer to refuse to hire or fire someone based on their religion. Employers must make “reasonable accommodations” to employees’ religious practices unless the accommodations would impose an “unreasonable hardship on the performance of the employer’s business.”
The complaint said that because COVID-19 vaccines do not necessarily prevent infection or spread, precautions have been taken since the pandemic began and did not cause undue hardship.
In August, a federal appeals court judge ruled in favor of the former executive director of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton. Plaintiff Amanda Bazinet was also fired in 2021 for refusing to get vaccinated for religious reasons. Chambers also represented Bazinet.
Chambers believes Dr. Govana has a “strong case,” as Bazinet’s lawsuit contained the same facts and allegations.
boston.com today
Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox every morning.
Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime and business in the New England area.
