By Jose Sena 
Photo Credit: Chris O’Meara
Dr. Joseph Ladapo, appointed as Florida Surgeon General in 2021 and a professor of medicine at the University of Florida (UF), has been a controversial figure, particularly for his positions on COVID-19 mandates and vaccines, which diverge from mainstream health guidelines. Ladapo’s dual roles—as a state health official and a UF professor—have occasionally placed him at odds with UF’s pandemic policies, which tend to align more closely with national health recommendations (Wang, 2024).
Despite his high-profile role as Florida Surgeon General, Dr. Ladapo has limited influence on health policies at the University of Florida. While he is prominent in shaping state health policy, his impact on UF’s health decisions is minimal. UF biostatistics professor Matt Hitchings highlights this separation, noting that UF maintained pro-vaccine and pro-mask regulations during the pandemic, in contrast to Ladapo’s public opposition. For instance, in September 2023, UF actively promoted the new COVID-19 vaccine, even as Ladapo advised against it. His limited policymaking role at UF underscores the distinction between his responsibilities as a state official and his academic position (Wang, 2024).
Ladapo’s approach to COVID-19 policy, including his support for treatments like ivermectin and opposition to mask mandates, has sparked criticism from public health experts. He has argued that mandates compromise scientific integrity by limiting personal choice. However, his statements and actions have faced pushback in academic and medical communities. Derek Cummings, former associate director of UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute, critiqued Ladapo’s pandemic management, raising concerns about scientific accuracy and misinformation. Cummings pointed out that Ladapo often disregarded conventional epidemiological guidance on the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccines (Wang, 2024).
Ladapo has maintained strong support from Governor Ron DeSantis, with whom he shares a preference for libertarian health policies. This alignment influenced Florida’s COVID-19 response, often contrasting with federal guidelines and generating both praise and criticism. In 2024, DeSantis publicly praised Ladapo’s stance on COVID-19 vaccinations for children, citing recent research on vaccine side effects. Their shared approach has allowed Ladapo to significantly shape state health policy, even though his academic responsibilities at UF remain distinct. Ladapo has also been mentioned as a potential nominee for a position within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, keeping him a prominent, albeit divisive, figure in public health (Diamond et al., 2024).
Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s tenure as Florida Surgeon General and his role as a professor at the University of Florida illustrate the complex relationship between state health policy and academic standards. His positions on COVID-19—questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines and mask mandates—have polarized public opinion. While he exerts considerable influence over state health policies with DeSantis’s support, his involvement at UF remains limited, highlighting a clear divide between his political and academic roles. His ongoing advocacy for personal freedom over mandated health measures, along with the potential for future federal appointments, suggests that the debate over individual choice versus state intervention in health policy is far from settled.