News Release
For Immediate Release: 7.29.26
Contact: Natalie Konstans, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
University of Michigan Health-West to Change Gender Transition Policy, Conduct Trainings, and Pay Damages, Resolving Case Brought by Fired Christian Physician Assistant
Under new policy, employees will not be required to assist in gender transitions or use pronouns contrary to religious beliefs.
Grand Rapids, MI—First Liberty Institute, Clement & Murphy LLP, LightStone Law, and Bossenbrook Williams PC reached a settlement with University of Michigan Health-West in favor of Valerie Kloosterman, a physician assistant who was fired because of her religious beliefs about gender. The settlement requires UMHW to create a religious accommodation policy in accordance with the law, notify and train all its employees, grant reasonable religious accommodations without retaliation, and pay $410,000 in damages and fees to Ms. Kloosterman and her attorneys.
Under the new policy, employees will not be required to perform or assist with gender transition treatments, including procedures, medications, and referrals, if doing so would violate the employee’s sincerely-held religious belief. Employees also will not be required to use pronouns in a way that violates their sincerely-held religious belief or conscience.
“Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating against and punishing employees for their faith,” said Kayla Toney, Counsel at First Liberty. “Valerie is an exceptional physician assistant who cares for each of her patients. Employers cannot drive out people like Valerie just because of their sincere religious beliefs. We are grateful to have resolved this matter with University of Michigan Health-West.”
Valerie Kloosterman said, “All I wanted to do was provide the best care possible to my patients without being forced to violate my Christian beliefs. This new policy ensures that providers of faith and employees at UMHW will receive religious accommodations so that they can provide excellent care consistent with their medical judgment, because all patients are created in the image of God.”
Valerie worked as a physician assistant at UMHW for 17 years. She had an exemplary reputation with patients of all beliefs and backgrounds. But when Valerie raised her faith-based concerns about a mandatory gender identity training, she was met with hostility toward her religious beliefs and fired in August 2021. Valerie sued to vindicate her constitutional rights and to protect other healthcare providers and employees from similar discrimination. The parties now have reached a favorable settlement that vindicates Valerie’s stellar record and creates robust protections for other religious providers.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Natalie Konstans at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
