TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Feb 1, 2023

A federal judge in Nashville has set a hearing for March 10 to consider competing claims in a lawsuit brought by former Tennessee vaccine chief Michelle Fiscus, who was fired from state government during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Tennessee Lookout, Fiscus is seeking a so-called “name clearing” hearing, which would require her former Department of Health bosses to attend and review the circumstances behind her firing. Lawyers for the department are asking the judge to bring the lawsuit to a close without holding the hearing. Fiscus was fired from her job in July 2021 after she circulated a memo outlining when healthcare providers are allowed to give vaccines to adolescents without parental permission. Following criticism by legislators, department officials released information criticizing Fiscus’ performance.