As of Feb. 1, Memorial Health Care System will no longer hire individuals who use tobacco or nicotine products. All potential employees will be tested for nicotine as part of a pre-employment drug screening. Applicants who do not pass the screening will be disqualified from employment.

As posted on the hospital website, “Memorial Health Care System and its affiliates recognize the major importance of associates’ health and well being, and the responsibility of maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all associates, volunteers, patients and visitors.”



This healthy choice is applauded by many and has garnered the attention of PETA. The animal rights organization wants Memorial Health Care System to take things a step further and implement a vegetarians-only hiring policy.

In a letter sent to Memorial Health Care System PETA describes the health benefits of a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle and encourages the company to serve employees a cruelty-free lunch every day. “By hiring only vegetarians and encouraging current staff to go meat-free,” writes Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President of PETA, “Memorial will send the Chattanooga community an important message about healthy eating while sparing your organization significant meat-related health-care costs and saving the lives of thousands of animals.”

No word yet as to if the hospital will take PETA’s advice.