St. Vincent health care workers walk out after being denied COVID-19 vaccine exemption

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — About 20 nurses and physicians at St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel held a walkout Friday after they say their religious exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine were denied. 

“I don’t feel like I should have to explain my faith,” said Beth Cook, a staff nurse at the hospital. 

Cook told I-Team 8 that she found the questions too personal when having to apply for a religious exemption. She says that even though she cares for her patients, she doesn’t want to compromise her family or her faith. 

Cook says staff have already been putting in their two-week notices. She thinks more could be coming if things don’t change. 

I-Team 8 found that staffing shortages are having a direct impact on patients. A surgical patient, who did not want to be identified, says their surgery had to be canceled for the year due to the staffing shortage.