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Please read the information below carefully. You may have action to take prior to Sept. 24, specific to your vaccination status.
Throughout the pandemic, Safety First, People Always has remained at the forefront of everything we do. Even during the most uncertain of times, we remain steadfast in our commitment to follow the expertise of our clinicians, keeping our people and patients safe and healthy, while remaining compliant with guidance and regulations from our federal and local governments.
Earlier this month, Colorado’s Board of Health implemented rules requiring licensed health care facilities to mandate their personnel – including employees, direct contractors and support staff – to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Effective immediately, the new emergency rule states that all health care workers, support staff and direct contractors must receive their first COVID-19 dose by Sept. 30, and their second dose no later than Oct. 31.
To comply with these regulations, we have activated our COVID-19 Vaccination policy that applies to our 21,000 incredible caregivers, physicians, students, volunteers, contractors and Community Board members across our entire health system (including our ministries in western Kansas). Our leaders developed this policy using recommendations and guidance from our clinical experts and it focuses on Centura’s priority to address your personal health and safety and/or your potential need for an exemption. We value each of our incredible caregivers, and do not want a single caregiver to leave our healing ministry and our beloved place of work!
Please read our policy carefully, note the additional information below, and consider joining one of our many town halls to learn more. Dr. Ozzie Grenardo, SVP and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Maria Kneusel, DNP, RN, will host a series of town halls in Spanish and English. Click here to learn how you can join this conversation.
Proof of Vaccination - If you are employed by Centura Health and completed your COVID-19 vaccine series at one of our Centura vaccine clinics, your information is on file and no further action is needed.
- If you are employed by Centura Health and completed your COVID-19 vaccine series outside of one of our Centura vaccine clinics (including a mass vaccination event or a non-Centura location) AND have not already submitted your information to Occupational Health, please send an email with your first name, last name, physical address and associate ID to COVID-19OH@Centura.org by Sept. 24. Occupational Health will verify your vaccination status with the Colorado state immunization registry (CIIS) and Kansas COVID-19 state registry. If you were vaccinated outside of the states of Colorado and Kansas, please submit your proof of vaccination.
- If you are a credentialed provider, contractor, volunteer, student or Community Board member and have completed your vaccine series, please send an email with your first name, last name, physical address, and proof of vaccination to COVID-19OH@Centura.org by Sept. 24.
- New vaccination! If you are ready to get your COVID-19 vaccine, scheduling an appointment is very easy. Simply visit Centura.org/vaccine-scheduling and schedule online today by the deadline of Sept. 24 for your first dose. You may also choose to get your COVID-19 vaccine at any non-Centura Health location. Follow the above steps to share proof of vaccination with Centura Health.
Medical Exemptions
Your personal health care provider is best equipped to understand your personal circumstances and we encourage you to speak with them about any medical concerns you may have related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Common questions our providers receive include allergic reaction to the vaccine, pregnancy, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding or natural immunity to COVID-19 due to prior infection. If you have a medical contraindication per your health care provider’s recommendation, you must complete this Statement of COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption (Medical and Religious) form no later than Sept. 24 and submit it to COVID-19OH@Centura.org. It must be completed in full and submitted with two signatures – both yours and your attesting provider.
Religious Exemptions
Associates may request a religious exemption for a sincerely-held religious belief. A sincerely-held religious belief is not the same as a political ideation nor a personal philosophy and should be discussed with your personal religious leader. If you have a sincerely-held religious belief that creates a vaccine contraindication, you must complete this Statement of COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption (Medical and Religious) form no later than Sept. 24 and submit it to COVID-19OH@Centura.org. It must be completed in full and submitted with two signatures – both yours and another individual attesting to your sincerely-held religious belief.
If your exemption is approved, you will be required to follow Centura policy regarding masking, social distancing and testing.
Vaccine appreciation bonus
Finally, we have reinstated our appreciation bonus for all associates (up to the director level)! For those who have not previously received this vaccination appreciation bonus, you will now qualify for a $500 appreciation bonus when you receive your final dose of the vaccination by Oct. 31, 2021. The appreciation bonus will be payable on the Nov. 19, 2021 paycheck following the completion of your vaccination series. Remember, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines require two doses, the longest of which takes 28 days to complete the vaccine series, and the first dose is required by Sept. 24.
You are the heartbeat of Centura – the incredible people who deliver whole health to our patients and help build flourishing communities. Your commitment to health and safety has carried us through the pandemic and allows us to continue to move health forward. Thank you for your strength, resilience and commitment.
Questions?
Please reach out to your direct supervisor to discuss your next steps.
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