Our Lady of the Lake to require employees to be vaccinated

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System announced today to its organization it will require the COVID-19 vaccine for all team members, employed providers, residents, students in clinical rotations, contract staff, and volunteers.
Implementation of the requirement will occur over several months concluding in December. 

“We have listened to our team members and physicians as well as tracked the rapid progress of this fourth surge to reach this decision,” said Dr. Richard Vath, President and CEO of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. “Throughout the pandemic, our teams have risen to the calling to care for those who need them. We continue that now but already we are straining to meet the demand. It is predicted that we have several weeks and possibly months before we reach the peak of this surge.
“We must act now to protect each other from spreading the delta variant and protect vulnerable patients from exposure. Vaccines are the best means of accomplishing this and more important than ever as the lasting step to end this pandemic. We should not wait any longer.
“Our health system is not alone in its decision to require a vaccine and joins many other healthcare organizations and expect others to follow. As a healthcare leader we believe we must take this step now for everyone’s safety and long-term community well-being. 
“There’s never been a more important time to demonstrate, by example, our responsibility to one another and all those we serve.”