Vaccination compliance is high at Providence St. Mary
By Terry Murry on Thursday, October 21st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Providence St. Mary Medical Center and Providence Medical Group reports a compliance rate of 98 percent with Washington’s COVID-19 statewide vaccination mandate.
“This means our caregivers have either been vaccinated or received a medical or religious exemption,” Director of Communications Kathleen Obenland said. “We are grateful that the vast majority of our caregivers have received their vaccinations – an essential step toward keeping our patients and caregivers safe.”
The remaining caregivers who did not submit proof of vaccination or submit an exemption request were placed on leave and Providence is working with them to help bring them into compliance.
“It appears Providence operations will not be significantly affected by staff losses associated with the government vaccination mandate,” she said.
Cardiac rehabilitation, one of the smallest programs at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, is being paused for four to six weeks.
“Several new staff members have been hired to grow cardiac rehabilitation and time is needed to get them in place and oriented,” Obenland said.
