UNC Rex Healthcare settles federal lawsuit over COVID vaccine religious exemption denial

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- UNC Rex Healthcare has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination against an employee who refused the COVID vaccine for religious reasons.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit claimed REX granted the employee, Heather Goeller, religious exemptions for the flu vaccine in 2019 and 2020 but denied four requests for exemption from the COVID vaccine. She was working remotely during the pandemic and did not have contact with patients. In 2021, Rex fired Goeller for refusing to get vaccinated.

The EEOC sued Rex in late 2024 after a settlement could not be reached with the nonprofit, part of the UNC Health system. According to our newsgathering partners at the News & Observer, Rex will pay $15,000 in the settlement.