Dr. Edward Simmer, the first director of South Carolina’s newly organized health agency, has ambitious goals of reducing infant mortality, fighting childhood cancers, and decreasing drug overdoses. However, his confirmation process has been marred by criticism over the state’s response to COVID five years ago, with some audience members at his state Senate hearing displaying stickers with his face crossed out.
Despite only beginning his work in South Carolina in February 2021, Simmer has faced backlash and threats, prompting him to ask his wife to stay home for safety. Critics have labeled him a “double masker” and accused him of seeking unlimited power, despite him having the same authority as his predecessors.
Supported by Republican Governor Henry McMaster, Simmer has been met with skepticism from some lawmakers, who question his approach to COVID measures. Simmer has clarified that he does not support mandating vaccines and would not have recommended school closures or mask mandates based on current information.
In the midst of controversy, Simmer is focused on improving public health in South Carolina, which has historically ranked poorly in health metrics. He envisions launching a mobile maternity care center to reach underserved communities and address preventable causes of early death. Despite facing challenges, Simmer remains committed to advancing public health in the state.
Just a stone’s throw away from South Carolina’s Statehouse lies a ZIP code with a staggering rate of diabetic amputations, highlighting the severity of strokes and chronic diseases like diabetes in the area. Simmer expressed, “As a public health director, I stand for medical freedom, reject COVID-like shutdowns, prioritize the well-being of my team, and commit to enhancing the health of all individuals and communities across South Carolina.”
