U.S. Medical School Pays Over $10 Million After Denying Religious Exemptions to COVID Vaccine Mandate
Victory for religious freedom underscores risks of vaccine mandates in education and healthcare—lessons for Canadians
The University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine has agreed to pay more than $10.3 million in damages, tuition, and attorney’s fees to 18 students and staff who were denied religious exemptions to its COVID-19 vaccination mandate. The landmark settlement, following nearly five years of litigation and a 2024 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, highlights issues around religious freedom, vaccine mandates, and educational rights.
The plaintiffs included physicians, medical students, nurses, and administrative staff. Many were forced to withdraw or leave their positions after the university initially denied all religious exemption requests, citing a vague committee review. The appeals court found the university’s actions were “motivated by religious animus” and that exemptions were unfairly granted to some religions while denied to others, and to secular requests more favorably than religious ones.
“No amount of compensation or course-correction can make up for the life-altering damage Chancellor Elliman and Anschutz inflicted on the plaintiffs,” said Michael McHale, senior counsel at the Thomas More Society. “Our clients fought for the First Amendment freedoms of all Americans who were put to the unconscionable choice of their livelihoods or their faith. This victory confirms that our shared constitutional right to religious liberty endures.”
Plaintiff Madison Gould, who sued under the pseudonym “Jane Doe 9,” described the personal toll of the mandate:
“CU’s total disregard for our careers and livelihoods gutted the years of study and self-sacrifice poured out by so many in pursuit of serving the weakest among us. Nobody should be coerced into choosing between their faith and their livelihoods.”
As part of the settlement, the university agreed to allow students to request religious accommodations on equal terms as employees and to give religious exemptions the same consideration as medical exemptions. It also agreed to refrain from future scrutiny of the legitimacy of individuals’ religious beliefs.
While this case is U.S.-based, it serves as a reminder for Canadian universities, healthcare institutions and employers to ensure that policies around vaccine mandates respect religious freedom and educational rights.
Source:
Thomas More Society Press Release (Dec. 2025)
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