 Lehigh Valley Health Network has reached out to provide an update to the recent alleged racially based social media posts that had gone viral recently.
Posts by LVHN Hazleton employees included things like "I know no Hispanics that are good. I don't trust any of them due to many things that happened. They need to learn our language and live the American way. They hate us like we hate them." and "They brought violence from NYC and their countries and live filthy with windows and doors open so all the critters could come in and out and infest housed with feces." To see those posts, click here. https://www.hazletonnewsone.com/newsblog/lvhn-responds-to-racist-social-media-remarks-going-viral According to Community/Media Relations Specialist Lisa Marie Halecky with Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton, the individuals responsible for the posts are no longer employed by LVHN. The following was sent to Hazleton News 1: "We have an update regarding egregious and hateful social media posts. LVHN has taken immediate action, and the individuals responsible for those posts are no longer employed by the network. Our Hispanic community is very important to us, and the statements go against everything LVHN upholds as our mission and values. We heal, comfort and care for every member of our community. Always. LVHN will not stand for anything less. Tenemos una actualización sobre las publicaciones atroces y odiosas en las redes sociales. Lehigh Valley Health Network ha tomado medidas inmediatas y las personas responsables de hacer esos comentarios ya no están empleados por nuestra red de salud. Nuestra comunidad Hispana es muy importante para nosotros, y las declaraciones van en contra de todo lo que Lehigh Valley Health Network defiende como nuestra misión y valores. Curamos, confortamos y cuidamos a cada miembro de nuestra comunidad. Siempre. No aceptaremos nada menos." One of the individual's allegedly responsible for the worst of the posts has reached out to Hazleton News 1 to attempt to clear her name. In an e-mail to Hazleton News 1, an individual claiming to be one of the two employees blamed the incident on being hacked, claiming they had no internet connection the entire day. We will continue to keep the employee's identities anonymous so we continue to not get sued. The following was the explanation that was sent: "I am extremely upset over this raceist post. I would never jeopardize my job, nor do I hate anyone. I have worked with the community for over 24 years and treat and respect everyone equally. I believe someone stole my identity to get people not to go to the hospital. I have contacted my union and HR for this matter. Please correct your news and stop the harassing bias feed. I had no internet connection all day to post such hatred things." |
