Health care worker out of job after racist social media post

A nurse who reportedly made derogatory comments about the Black Lives Matter movement no longer has a job with Sutter Health.

The woman, who worked at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, reportedly posted “F*** BLM” on Facebook.

The comment sparked a protest outside the hospital Friday, with demonstrators shouting, “Racist nurses have to go. Racist health care has to go.”

Sutter declined to identify the employee by name or detail the circumstances around her departure, but said in a statement she was no longer with the health care system, which has hospitals and clinics around the Bay Area.

“When conduct by our employees outside of work — online or off — impacts our patients, teammates or organization, our commitment to equality and nondiscriminatory practices requires that we take action,” Sutter said in a statement. “We do not comment on the specifics of employment matters, but we can confirm this individual will not be returning to Sutter Health.”

In recent weeks, health care experts have increasingly linked systemic racism to poorer health outcomes for Black people. Also on Friday, Kaiser Permanente said they would direct $100 million toward ending those inequities.

Speaking in front of the hospital, Alta Bates Summit CEO David Clark acknowledged protestors’ frustration but said human resources issues were confidential.

“We do not tolerate racial injustices or discrimination of any kind,” Clark said. “It is a privilege to take care of everybody in need.”