A federal jury has awarded $20 million to registered nurse DonQuenick Yvonne Joppy, marking a significant victory in a civil rights lawsuit that sheds light on racial discrimination and retaliation within the healthcare industry.
On Aug. 19, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado unanimously ruled that Joppy’s termination from HCA-HealthONE LLC d/b/a The Medical Center of Aurora was motivated by both race discrimination and retaliation after she complained about unfair treatment.
The jury awarded $5 million in compensatory damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and pain and suffering, and an additional $15 million in punitive damages, finding the hospital acted with intentional discrimination. Click here to download the entire case documents.
A Career Derailed
Joppy’s story first captured national attention in November 2020, when she was criminally charged with manslaughter following the death of a 94-year-old patient under end-of-life care. Prosecutors later dismissed the charges in September 2021 “in the interest of justice,” concluding that Joppy followed a physician’s verbal orders and that the patient’s death was due to natural causes.
Despite the dismissal, the incident severely damaged her reputation. She was fired from The Medical Center of Aurora, a move that Joppy argued was not only unjust but rooted in racial bias.
Before these events, Joppy had been recognized for her clinical excellence. She worked in the intensive care unit (ICU), was nominated three times for the Daisy Award, and was honored by the American Heart Association for saving a patient’s life. Patients frequently praised her dedication and care.
Allegations of Racial Discrimination
Court filings detailed years of escalating racial harassment. Joppy alleged she was:
- Denied training and transfer opportunities available to white colleagues.
- Placed on an unwarranted performance improvement plan after raising concerns.
- Isolated from co-workers by being banned from the main breakroom and locker room.
- Falsely accused of stealing a patient’s credit card.
- Given higher patient assignments than her peers, worsening workplace stress.
One charge nurse allegedly told her she could “clean his house and clip his dog’s toenails” instead of advancing professionally. Another instance involved being denied training for cardiac patients because it required “much deeper critical thinking and better organizational skills.”
Joppy maintained that this pattern of mistreatment ultimately contributed to her wrongful termination and the criminal investigation that followed.
The Trial and Verdict
The trial began on Aug. 11, 2025, before Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney at the Alfred A. Arraj U.S. District Courthouse in Denver. Defendants included HCA-HealthONE, along with nurse supervisors Bonnie Andrews and Katie Weihe.
After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the jury found in Joppy’s favor, concluding she had been subjected to both racial discrimination and retaliation.
The case endured years of contentious discovery disputes. In 2024, Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak ruled on multiple motions, including extending deadlines for Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and reopening Joppy’s deposition.
Ultimately, the jury’s decision provided vindication, awarding one of the largest discrimination verdicts in Colorado in recent years.
Hospital’s Response
During the litigation, The Medical Center of Aurora denied wrongdoing. In an earlier statement, Rachel Robinson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, dismissed the lawsuit as “without merit” and characterized Joppy as a “disgruntled former colleague.”
The hospital has not yet issued a statement following the jury’s verdict.
Joppy’s Fight for Justice
Joppy has spoken openly about the toll the ordeal has taken on her personal and professional life. After the criminal charges, she said she struggled to find work and faced housing insecurity.
“It’s wild. My life has been turned upside down,” she said. “I never killed anyone. I’m a great nurse.”
Her attorney, Jennifer Robinson, noted in 2022 that the stigma of the manslaughter charges—even after dismissal—left her client “pretty much homeless” and unemployable.
Supporters have since rallied behind Joppy, with a Facebook group titled “Support for DonQuenick RN” advocating for her and raising awareness about racial discrimination in nursing.
Broader Implications
The unanimous verdict represents more than a personal victory—it underscores the systemic challenges Black healthcare professionals face in hospital systems across the U.S.
The ruling could embolden other nurses and healthcare workers to speak out against discrimination without fear of retaliation.
While HCA-HealthONE considers its next steps, Joppy’s case may stand as a landmark example of how workplace bias, retaliation, and wrongful criminalization intersect, and how the courts can deliver accountability.
