Florida Surgeon General

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 27-12 along party lines to confirm Ladapo. The Senate also confirmed 15 other agency heads, including Jason Weida as AHCA secretary.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Chris O'Donnell discusses his findings from a report that key data was withheld when Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo recommended that young men not get the shot.

An analysis that was the basis of Florida surgeon general's recommendation against young men getting the vaccine omitted info that showed catching COVID could increase the risk of a cardiac-related death more than the shot.

In a tweet, Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote that Dr. Joseph Ladapo's "evidence-based principles serve as a counterweight to the increasingly political positions of the entrenched medical establishment."

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointment of Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was confirmed by the Senate, despite objections from Democrats who criticized his handling of the pandemic.

Only a few states have a surgeon general. Florida has had one since 2007, but critics say the job serving as the top advocate for wellness and disease prevention has changed because of politics.

A Republican-controlled panel votes 5-4 along party lines after Democrats questioned Dr. Joseph Ladapo for nearly two hours over his views on COVID. The nomination next moves to a full Senate vote.

The comments on Dr. Joseph Ladapo were in an FDLE background check requested by the state Senate as part his confirmation process and made public just before his second confirmation hearing.

Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo explained the state plans to expand access to HIV testing and treatment.

The surgeon general has not used the power since it was put in state law in 2002. But the Republican-controlled Legislature moved forward this week with repealing it during a special session that focused on pushing back against vaccination and mask mandates.