A Christian physician assistant, Valerie Kloosterman, has filed a lawsuit against University of Michigan Health-West (UMHW) after her termination in August 2021. Kloosterman alleges she was fired for seeking a religious accommodation related to the health system's transgender affirming policy. She had worked at the rural outpatient clinic, Metro Health Caledonia, for 17 years.

Represented by First Liberty, Clement & Murphy, PLLC, and Michigan attorneys James Wieranga and David J. Williams, Kloosterman argues that UMHW violated her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, along with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lawsuit claims she was unfairly dismissed for her religious objections to using patients' preferred pronouns and referring patients for transgender surgeries or medications.

Kloosterman recounts being required to complete a diversity training module shortly before her termination. The module allegedly included statements about gender identity that conflicted with her Christian beliefs. She says she was unable to complete the training without affirming these statements, and had been warned that failure to complete it would result in termination.

According to Kloosterman, she had a history of treating LGBT patients with the same care as any other patient, and had never faced a situation requiring her to use a patient's chosen pronouns. When she sought a religious exemption for this hypothetical scenario through HR, a series of meetings followed. She claims that in her final meeting, she was subjected to hostile treatment and accusations from UMHW's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program coordinator, who allegedly called her "evil" and blamed her for potential patient suicides.

The lawsuit details how Kloosterman was allegedly mocked for her faith and told that her refusal to affirm pronouns could lead to transgender patients taking their own lives. A month after this meeting, she was reportedly fired without warning, unable to inform her patients or retrieve personal belongings.

Kloosterman expresses her distress at being unable to explain her sudden departure to her patients, with whom she had cultivated long-term relationships. She also shares how the ordeal, while challenging, has strengthened her faith and initiated conversations with her family about trusting in God.

Court documents describe Kloosterman as an exemplary employee with a spotless record and a strong reputation among her patients. She is seeking reinstatement with religious accommodation, monetary damages, and equitable relief. UMHW has previously stated that they believe Kloosterman's claims are without merit and are committed to respecting both patient needs and employee religious beliefs.