Southside Hospital worker fired after racist chat messages were shared on social media

A nursing student is out of a job at Southside Hospital after allegedly making racially insensitive comments that were posted on social media.

News 12 Staff

Jun 26, 2020, 9:15 PM

Updated 1,647 days ago

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A nursing student is out of a job at Southside Hospital after allegedly making racially insensitive comments that were posted on social media.
An investigation was launched after the comments made in a private chat were leaked. The messages included, "My hospital is all gang members that are Spanish and Black. That's true. That's all they do. Half of them are here because they got shot. Or half of them are here because they're so drunk it's disgusting. The working class middle class population work so hard and half our taxes go to people with welfare that cheat the system. Or Spanish people that have 9 babies and don't work."
Another message plainly said, "I am racist."
Northwell Health has announced that worker has been fired. News 12 is told they were a part-time employee at Southside, and a nursing student at Long Island University.
A hospital official says the apparent conversation involved another Southside employee. A Northwell Health spokesperson released a statement, saying, "...Understandably, the comments caused hurt, pain and anger among those who saw them. The views expressed were disturbing and have no place in our organization..."
The executive committee of the New York State Nurses Association at Southside also added in a statement, "...Racism and hate have no place in health care. As registered nurses, we take an oath to do no harm and to deliver the highest quality care to all of our patients—regardless of race, income, or social status—simply regardless..."
News 12 also reached out to Long Island University but did not hear back. Earlier in the week, an LIU spokesperson told News 12 they were investigating the matter.