Trinity Health Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for All Colleagues

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 stop to the spread of the virus and keep all patients, colleagues and the broader communities safe. This includes nearly 12,000 Mount Carmel employees and clinical staff.

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.

“Our patients and their families deserve to know when they walk through our doors, we have done everything in our power to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19,” said Lorraine Lutton, president and CEO, Mount Carmel Health System. “The same goes for our employees and physicians. We believe this new requirement will help provide peace of mind for every single person who enters our facilities.”

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.

Mount Carmel employees must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with everyone vaccinated by end of year. 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 have their employment terminated of employment.

About Mount Carmel Health System

Mount Carmel Health System, a member of Trinity Health, has provided high-quality, comprehensive healthcare services in central Ohio for more than 130 years. Our team of more than 9,000 colleagues, 2,000 physicians and 550 volunteers provide compassionate, people-centered primary and specialty care at our four hospitals—Mount Carmel East, Mount Carmel Grove City, Mount Carmel New Albany and Mount Carmel St. Ann’s, along with Diley Ridge Medical Center, an affiliation of Mount Carmel and Fairfield Medical Center. The health system is comprised of Mount Carmel Medical Group and Mount Carmel Health Partners’ network of physicians. MediGold, a Medicare Advantage health insurance plan, and the Mount Carmel College of Nursing, one of Ohio's largest baccalaureate nursing degree programs, are also integral members of the health system. Mount Carmel also includes surgery centers, emergency and ambulatory care centers, and hospice and home care services.

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.