B.C. doctor who got fired over refusing COVID-19 vaccination loses appeal

B.C. hospitalist Dr. Theresa Szezepaniak who was fired after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has lost her bid to get her hospital privileges back.The Hospital Appeal Board decided that the decision was appropriate because Dr. Szezepaniak's refusal to get the jab amounted to neglect of her obligations as a hospitalist. The vaccine was and is required to continue working in B.C. hospitals under an order from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.Dr. Szezepaniak said in her appeal that the Interior Health Authority, which operates the Royal Inland Hospital, is required to respect her Charter rights, an appeal board panel wrote in the Hospital Appeal Board decision issued Nov. 20.Read: To be discontinued: $100K lawsuit against doctor who breached 10-year service contract to be droppedThe decision stated that Interior Health would not and did not challenge Szezekpaniak's right to refuse the vaccine, but it does have to hold her accountable for the fact that her refusal left her unvaccinated and unable to work under provincial law.Dr. Szezepaniak's lawyer, Lee Turner told CBC.ca that his client will decide soon on whether or not she will pursue a judicial review of the decision.'Experimental' vaccineFollowing the widespread availability of vaccines for the virus, Dr. Henry issued a public health order stipulating that healthcare workers must receive the vaccine by October 25, 2021, to maintain their eligibility for work in B.C. hospitals.Dr. Szezepaniak then submitted an exemption request to Dr. Henry just before the deadline, citing "an unjustified violation of her rights and freedoms." Despite the submission, no exemption was approved, leading to Dr. Szezepaniak's official exclusion from work effective October 26.Around that time, the hospital chief of staff sent an email outlining the options of getting the vaccine, resigning or facing cancellation of their privileges. Dr. Szezepaniak wrote back that she would not be "blackmailed or coerced into receiving an experimental injection," according to the Hospital Appeal Board decision.Dr. Szezepaniak transitioned to family practice and found a position in 100 Mile House, about 300 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, where she now works. In her appeal, she said that no longer being able to describe herself as a hospitalist and having to explain how she lost her staff position and hospital privileges caused her humiliation. She also testified that the cancellation of her staff appointment and hospital privileges will make it more difficult for her to return to work once the order is no longer in effect because she will have to reapply for an appointment and hospital privileges. Dr. Szezepaniak said that she would like to return to Royal Inland Hospital as a hospitalist, perhaps part-time, given her relocation to 100 Mile House.Read the full decision here. Read: The doctor’s lawyer: The cost of your defence

B.C. doctor who got fired over refusing COVID-19 vaccination loses appeal

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