A New Jersey doctor who celebrated the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has quit and the suspension of the nurse who complained about him has been lifted, the hospital said Monday.
“Consistent with protocol and best practices, Englewood Health diligently investigated the Sept. 10 incident that occurred between a doctor and a nurse in a patient care area,” the hospital said in a statement Monday. “We have accepted the physician’s resignation, and the nurse is expected to work her scheduled shifts.”
Dr. Matthew Jung “cheered and publicly praised” the death of Kirk when he learned of the shooting while on shift at Englewood Health last week, according to a lawsuit filed by nurse Lexi Kuenzle against Jung and the hospital. The nurse filed the hostile-workplace and retaliation lawsuit in Bergen County after she was suspended and allegedly told she would be fired.
Englewood Health disputed Kuenzle’s claim that hospital administrators told her she would be dismissed for voicing her displeasure to human resources and on her personal Instagram page.
“The nurse was never fired, was never told she would be fired by Englewood Hospital, and will not miss any pay as part of our review of this matter,” the hospital said in its statement. “Englewood Health is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all.”
Kuenzle, a Hudson County resident, posted on her Instagram story that “this doctor is a disgrace. Had the audacity to say, ‘I’m glad, he deserved it,’ in front of a patient/nursing station in regard to Charlie Kirk’s being murdered today. You are what’s wrong with the world.’
Jung then offered to buy the nursing staff lunch, she said. Jung could not be reached for comment.
In the suit, Kuenzle alleged human resources employees violated the state’s law against discrimination by violating her “sincerely-held Christian beliefs” when they suspended her without pay.
Kuenzle’s attorney Josiah Contarino couldn’t immediately be reached Monday by phone and email. The suit was filed on Kuenzle’s behalf by Coyle Law Group but the law firm said Monday it was no longer representing her.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, was shot an event Wednesday in Utah.
In the days following the fatal shooting of Kirk, numerous workers have been fired for their comments on his death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd.
“Most people think they have a right to free speech…but that doesn’t necessarily apply in the workplace,” said Vanessa Matsis-McCready, associate general counsel and vice president of HR Services for Engage PEO. “Most employees in the private sector do not have any protections for that type of speech at work.”