Contact: Christine M. Looby, national communications manager
E-mail: clooby@mchct.org
Trinity Health Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for All Colleagues
Trinity Health Senior Communities is a member of the Catholic health system
LIVONIA, MICH., July 8, 2021 – Trinity Health today announced effective immediately, the national health system will require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19. The requirement applies to Trinity Health’s more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide in an effort to help stop the spread of the virus and keep all patients, colleagues and the broader communities safe. This includes 3000 Trinity Health Senior Communities (THSC) colleagues.
Since December 2020, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization, Trinity Health has strongly encouraged vaccination for all colleagues and within the communities its various Health Ministries serve. To date, the health system estimates nearly 75% of Trinity Health employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.
“We have a Core Value of Safety, and this is one simple but powerful way to demonstrate our earnestness about keeping all members of our communities safe within our skilled nursing, residential, assisted living, and independent living environments,” said Steve Kastner, president and CEO of THSC.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate more than 331 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the U.S. The vaccines have proven to be safe and effective against symptomatic infections, hospitalizations and death with more than 99% of COVID-19 deaths today occurring in unvaccinated people.
“The scientific evidence is clear. The vaccine is saving lives,” says Stacey Johnson, DNP, RN, HFA, NEA-BC, vice president of quality for THSC.
Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring them to submit proof of vaccination by September 21, 2021. It has not yet been determined if a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required annually, but if so, employees will also need to submit proof of the booster as needed. Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented and approved. Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will face termination of employment.
About Trinity Health Senior Communities (THSC)
Trinity Health Senior Communities (THSC) serves nearly 3000 residents at its 23 properties in six states, including six Life Plan Communities, eight affordable senior living communities, four independent and assisted living villages, and five standalone skilled nursing facilities. THSC also manages 11 subsidized senior apartments designed to offer affordable apartments to more than 300 seniors under the HUD Section 8 Program. We provide exceptional experiences in short-term rehabilitation, long-term care including memory care, and independent and assisted living. For more information, visit https://www.trinityhealthseniorcommunities.org/ . You may also follow THSC on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/trinity-senior-living-communities or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TrinityHealthSeniorCommunities .
About Trinity Health
Trinity Health is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 91 hospitals, as well as 113 continuing care locations. Based in Livonia, Michigan, and with annual operating revenues of $19.4 billion, the organization returns $1.3 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs 117,000 colleagues, including 6,800 employed physicians and clinicians. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
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