TN Health Department To Pay Ex-Vaccine Chief $150,000 In Lawsuit Settlement
Image Credit: Association of Immunization Managers
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
After two years, Tennessee’s former top vaccine official is set to receive $150,000 as settlement in her lawsuit against the state.
“The Tennessee Department of Health to pay $150K to ex-vaccine chief Michelle Fiscus to settle lawsuit alleging she was fired and smeared to appease anti-vax GOP lawmakers,” wrote KFF Health News Reporter, Brett Kelman. “Per agreement, Fiscus will no longer talk about health dept or Gov. Bill Lee.”
Back in July 2021, Dr. Michelle Fiscus was fired from her position as head of the state’s vaccine program over what the Tennessee Health Department called “a lack of leadership, poor working relationships with the members of her team and an unwillingness to consult with superiors.”
However, Fiscus believed that she was really fired as a result of her sending out a memo to vaccine providers reminding them about the Mature Minor Doctrine, essentially encouraging providers to administer Covid-19 vaccinations to minors without parental approval.
The Mature Minor Doctrine was adopted by Tennessee in 1987 and reaffirmed by then Attorney General, Paul Summers, in 2003. However, Tennessee’s General Assembly adopted the Mature Minor Doctrine Clarification Act during the 2023 legislative session.
Fiscus’ actions resulted in mass confusion and debate amongst Tennessee lawmakers and parents over whether or not the memo was appropriate.
“The Department of Health is targeting our youth,” stated Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka). “We know how impressionable our young people are and wanting to fit in in life. Personally, I think it’s reprehensible that we would do that to our youth in Tennessee.”
At a July 2021 press conference, Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) encouraged Tennesseans to get the Covid-19 vaccine saying it was “the most effective tool” to manage the virus.
However, the governor went on to endorse the decision to fire Fiscus saying that he trusted the Health Department’s evaluation and supported parental rights.
According to Chief Medical Officer, Tim Jones, Fiscus’ memo was sent out with “her own interpretation of state and federal law.” He went on to say that Fiscus did not share the memo or consult department leadership or legal counsel before putting the document into circulation.
In September 2021, Fiscus filed suit against Tennessee, seeking “injunctive relief and damages” caused by the firing and what Fiscus claims to be “defamatory statements” made by Jones and Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey in a letter about Fiscus’ termination.
Included in Fiscus’ lawsuit was an email displaying an interpretation of the Mature Minor Doctrine, sent to her by Health Department Attorney Grant Mullins. Fiscus said her memo shared Mullins’ interpretation of the doctrine “verbatim.”
The lawsuit also stated that after she was fired, Fiscus requested a name-clearing hearing from Mullins and the Health Department but was denied.
It was announced via the lawsuit that Fiscus would be selling her home and moving to Virginia because of “the damage to her reputation in Tennessee.”
According to court records, both parties involved in the lawsuit agreed to dismiss the case on Tuesday, October 24th of this year.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
That’ll buy a lot of Amazon dog collars.
Hopefully the residents of Maryland will protect their children from the Deathvax pusher.
She’ll be right comfy in the marxist sesspool of Maryland.
The Mature Minor Doctrine was a crime to begin with as was Attorney General Paul Summers’ reaffirmation of it. I’d like to see list of “legislators” who originally voted for it and Guv who signed it. I’d figger “my” dimmercrap Rep. and Sen. favored it. I’m trying to get that history.
We may as well get like China. Hey momma, pop a kid and turn it over to the state because you have only one right left and that’s to bear it. If a doctor can administer “experimental” to your child without your consent, why can’t the child drink at ten if some idiot thinks he or she is a Mature Minor. Maybe the kid should be able to own a gun, or go to a bar. The theory of Mature Minor throws out statutory rape and a “Mature Minor” should be able to have sex, get pregnant or any number of things.
These policies all tie to either sterilization (vax or Vanderbilt sexual mutilation), sexual deviance (no heterosexual reproduction is promoted) or death (abortion). They are only “mature” minors if the desired end will lead to depopulation.
Public “health” policies always make sense viewed through that lens.
Ridiculous that she got any money. She never should have been hired. But then, that is Tennessee now…. And ridiculous doesn’t even begin to describe what’s going on here.
Should of NEVER had this made up position anyway!! A total waste.