American physician assistant Valerie Kloosterman has won a huge legal victory, five years after her appalling treatment at a Michigan hospital.
Valerie is the third generation in her family to work in the health care system in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The devout Christian mother of four and pro-life campaigner served her community for 17 years at Michigan Health.
She regularly received exemplary reviews, and supervisors called her “professional,” “very ethical,” and a “pleasure to work with.”
She treated all her patients respectfully, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, or declared gender.
TERMINATED FOR SEEKING A RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
But then the University of Michigan Health System took over her clinic.
In 2021, after mandatory “diversity and inclusion” training, Valerie asked for a religious accommodation because she could not affirm statements about gender that violated her Christian beliefs.
Nor could she participate by referring patients for sex-obscuring surgeries or using pronouns that conflicted with human biology.
During follow-up meetings, a University of Michigan Health West (UMHW) diversity representative called her “evil,” blamed her for gender dysphoria-related suicides, and told her she could not take the Bible or her religious beliefs to work with her.
Three weeks later Valerie Kloosterman was terminated from the job she loved.
VALERIE KLOOSTERMAN’S “STELLAR” PROFESSIONAL RECORD
That was despite her “stellar” unblemished record of patient service.
There was no finding that she had harmed a patient, no finding that her clinical judgment was impaired and no finding that her request was unreasonable.
As a physician assistant, Valerie had a degree to practice medicine and had passed programs and exams to serve as a licensed professional who provides patient care as part of a team with doctors.
PAs examine patients, diagnose conditions, create treatment plans, and prescribe medications.
She loved serving her community in the healthcare field and serving her United Reformed church through music ministry while leading her local Right to Life chapter.
HEALTH PROFESSIONAL’S LEGAL ORDEAL FOR JUSTICE
After her dismissal, Valerie Kloosterman’s attorneys at First Liberty Institute sent a letter to UMHW requesting her reinstatement, which was refused.
In October 2022, First Liberty sued the hospital for violating federal law prohibiting workplace religious discrimination.
In February 2025, a Court of Appeals heard oral argument in the case, and six months later, ruled in favour of Valerie.
Last month, First Liberty reached a settlement with UNHW, vindicating Valerie’s “stellar” record and creating robust protections for other religious providers.
WHAT THE HOSPITAL HAS AGREED TO IN THE SETTLEMENT
University of MIchigan Health West (UMHW) agreed to pay Valerie Kloosterman A$580,000 in damages and legal fees.
It also agreed to implement a new religious accommodation policy which protects employees’ sincerely-held religious beliefs against forced assistance with gender transition treatments or use of pronouns that contradict biological sex.
The settlement requires UMHW to train all its employees and grant reasonable religious accommodations without retaliation.
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.
VALERIE KLOOSTERMAN’S REACTION TO THE SETTLEMENT
“All I wanted to do was to provide the best care possible to my patients without being forced to violate my Christian beliefs,” Ms. Kloosterman said.
“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.”
“The Civil Rights Act 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. Her stellar record is vindicated.”
“Employers cannot drive out people like Valerie just because of their sincere religious beliefs.”
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