EMS workers are put in life-and-death situations every day, and while many people turn to religion for comfort during these times, Memorial Health says one paramedic took it too far and was fired as a result of her actions. Sherry Lambert has been a paramedic for 13 years, and two weeks ago she was fired after inviting a coworker to church. But it's not that simple. This story has a few more chapters.
"This county has voted me best of the best," Lambert told us. "I just don't see where inviting someone to church is soliciting, that's like saying come to my Tupperware party."
Lambert was fired for violating Memorial Health's solicitation policy, which prohibits "any promotion of non-Memorial business." Lambert thinks its Christian persecution in this case.
This all started more than a year ago. WTOC has obtained a copy of a formal complaint filed by another EMT stating Paramedic Lambert had conversations with him about his religious convictions which were unwelcome and made him feel uncomfortable.
"If employees' religious practices interfere with work an employer asks to do, there could be problems for that employee," said attorney Kran Riddle.
Lambert says she doesn't feel like she pushes religion on others.
"When nobody wants to talk about it, you shouldn't shove it down their throats and I don't," she said.>
But she says she does try and comfort people with her beliefs in life and death situations. Even when they were in the back of ambulance.
"I do, not all the time, just when I feel the Lord is leading me to," she said.
But it became to much for her coworkers to deal with, and even though she is shocked and hurt, Lambert says there are no hard feelings. Lambert is filing suit against the hospital, and of course we'll keep you posted on the developments.
We did speak with people at Memorial and they tell us they're not able to comment on this since it's a personnel matter.