by Jorge Gomez • 3 minutes
First Liberty volunteer attorney Kevin Wynosky at the law firm Clement & Murphy recently argued in federal appeals court on behalf of our client Valerie Kloosterman, a physician assistant who was fired because of her religious beliefs.
The University of Michigan Health System terminated her for being unwilling to use biologically incorrect pronouns to refer to patients or to refer patients for transgender procedures, both of which conflicted with her Christian faith and medical judgment.
“Valerie loves her community and her job,” said Wynosky. “She is devastated that the University of Michigan health system derided her beliefs and demanded that she choose between her faith and providing health care.”
“It is intolerant and unconstitutional for employers to demand that medical professionals like Valerie abandon their religious beliefs in order to remain employed,” said Roger Byron, Senior Counsel for First Liberty. “The University of Michigan Health-West system is sending a message that religious health care workers are not welcome and need not apply. We hope Michigan Health is held accountable for its discrimination.”
You can listen to the argument below:
U.S Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Valerie Kloosterman v Metropolitan Hospital
February 6, 2025
Valerie worked for Michigan Health for 17 years and is the third generation in her family to work in her local health care system. She was committed to giving the best possible care to all her patients and treated them all respectfully, regardless of their sexual orientation or declared gender. She regularly received exemplary reviews, and supervisors called her “professional,” “very ethical,” and a “pleasure to work with.”
In 2021, after a mandatory “diversity and inclusion” training, she asked for a religious accommodation because she could not affirm statements about gender identity that violated her deeply held Christian beliefs.
Despite her stellar record, a Michigan Health representative with no medical training called Valerie “evil” and a “liar,” denigrated her religious beliefs and even blamed her for gender dysphoria-related suicides. Less than a month later, she was fired for being unwilling to use biologically incorrect pronouns to refer to patients or to refer patients for transgender procedures, both of which violate her religious beliefs and medical judgment.
Medical professionals like Valerie should not have to abandon their religious beliefs in order to remain employed. Valerie deserves to get her job back without having to violate her religious convictions, so that she can continue caring for her community and her patients.
Religious discrimination in the workplace is illegal. The law states that employers are obligated to provide reasonable accommodations for religious exercise, if it can be accomplished without causing undue hardship on the business.
Please continue to pray for Valerie as she awaits the court’s decision. Please also pray for the judges as they deliberate and write their opinion. The outcome of this case could impact religious employees across the country.
Americans shouldn’t be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood. Our nation’s laws ensure that they don’t have to face that difficult choice. A win for Valerie would be a win for countless Americans who are being singled out for their faith in the workplace.
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