Florida doctor’s board certification reinstated despite criticism of COVID-19 vaccines.

A Florida Physician Fights Back Against Censorship

A⁣ Florida physician known for being ⁤outspoken about COVID-related topics has regained his board certification that was​ stripped because he publicly ⁢criticized COVID vaccines.

Now, ‍Dr. John Littell is moving ⁣forward from the experience with​ plans to help future ​physicians defend themselves⁢ when disciplined for voicing viewpoints that are not in ⁢the majority, he told The Epoch Times.

Dr. Littell, a longtime ⁢family physician in Ocala and a medical school professor, began posting videos sharing his thoughts about COVID-19 testing, treatments, and vaccines early in the pandemic. He was frustrated to ⁣find his content⁢ often‍ was pulled down from⁤ his‍ YouTube channel.

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But he fought ⁣against what he ​saw as censorship by ⁤moving the content to other⁤ platforms, such as Rumble, he said.

Then,​ in January 2022⁤ and again‌ five months later, he received warning ⁣letters from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), the ‍organization that issued ‍his certification for his medical specialty.

The letter stated that his videos on YouTube and ‍Rumble‌ spread “medical misinformation” and could put his board certification in jeopardy, he said.

The ABFM declined to comment on‍ the matter because ‍the board’s “policy indicates we are unable to⁤ comment about ⁢professionalism⁤ cases,” an unidentified spokesperson said in an email to The Epoch Times.

The​ ABFM is the third largest⁣ of the 24 boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. More ‌than 100,000 family medicine doctors are⁣ certified⁢ by the board, according to its website.

To ‌keep their certification, physicians‌ must uphold ​the board’s ethical standards and “guidelines for professionalism, licensure, and⁤ personal conduct,”⁤ the website states.

In letters from the board, Dr. Littell was told his⁤ public statements violated those guidelines.⁣ Dr. Littell responded ⁤to ‌the letters and continued to speak publicly and post videos about the subjects, he said.

Months later,⁢ when he didn’t hear back, he said​ he thought the threat was ​gone.

Outrage Over Ivermectin

That ⁤changed after ‌he was escorted out of​ a⁢ Sarasota Memorial Hospital board meeting in February for⁢ approaching a board​ member behind the dais.‌ He ​wanted ​to thank the board member, he said, for letting ​him speak at the meeting. He didn’t⁢ realize​ that move ​would be seen as inappropriate, he said.

Though he’s cared for many patients in hospitals, he’d never ⁤attended a hospital board meeting, let alone a contentious one, he said.

That⁤ day,‍ medical freedom activists filled the boardroom to speak against the public hospital’s policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⁢Many were angry their loved ones were denied the opportunity to try ⁢ivermectin, an antiparasitic for humans and‌ animals widely used⁤ by some in treating COVID-19, and other treatments.

Dr. Littell spoke cordially to board members from ⁣the podium, an Epoch Times reporter confirmed. He told board members how treating patients with ivermectin had been his key to success in ‍helping⁢ them recover. And he praised hospital personnel for their work during the pandemic.

Shortly after ‍that, security ⁤guards escorted him⁢ outside.

A video of Dr.‌ Littell’s removal ⁢from the meeting by security ‌guards ⁣was posted to social media and received millions of⁤ views and⁤ media coverage. And that thrust him back‌ in ‌the spotlight as a doctor vocal about COVID-19‍ policies.

“I had a target ⁣on⁣ my back,” he ​said.

He questioned whether someone else would have been removed for‌ the same reason.

Many doctors have faced consequences for questioning the efficacy ⁤and safety of ​COVID-19 vaccines and for advocating for the use of medicines such as⁢ ivermectin ⁣in ‍the treatment ​of the disease.

The U.S.‌ Food and‌ Drug ⁤Administration⁣ (USDA) wrote ‍in one social ⁢media post about ivermectin: “You are not ‍a‍ horse. You are not⁤ a cow.⁣ Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” It​ linked to a page entitled “Why You ​Should Not Use Ivermectin to‍ Treat or Prevent COVID-19.”

Three doctors sued the FDA over the statements, saying it had no power to tell doctors which ‌drugs ‌to prescribe.

On⁣ Sept. 1, a federal ⁤court ruled that the agency likely overstepped its authority when it told Americans to “stop” using ivermectin against COVID-19. The‍ FDA ​can inform, but has “no authority” to recommend consumers “stop” taking medicine, U.S. Circuit Judge Don Willett wrote ‍in ‌the ruling.

Accused of ‘Spreading False’ ⁣Information

The month after ‌Dr. Littell spoke‌ in Sarasota, the⁣ board sent a letter saying‍ he’d been de-certified for “spreading false, inaccurate,⁣ and misleading materials about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccination, and ‌treatment⁣ and mitigation of the virus,” The Epoch Times confirmed.

A letter reviewed by⁣ The‍ Epoch Times⁣ stated that if Dr. Littell appealed the decision ⁢within 20 days, he would continue to be represented by the board, pending a ‌review of ‍his case⁢ by the‌ professionalism​ committee‌ of the ABFM board of directors.

The reason for the decision to review his record was because‌ of his past‌ suggestions the COVID-19 vaccine was a ‍product⁢ of genetic engineering, causing deaths in children and causing ⁤the rise of the Delta variant, the letter indicated. It also referenced⁣ “false” statements made by Drs. Ryan Cole and Robert Malone, who spoke⁢ at a medical freedom​ conference Dr. Littell organized in ⁤October 2022.

In the letter, the board also criticized Dr. Littell ‌for “offering to provide medical⁤ exemptions from vaccination” to patients across the country and “publicly comparing the ⁣U.S. public health system’s response⁣ to the COVID-19 pandemic to Nazi Germany.”

After receiving ⁢the troubling letter, Dr. Littell sought the⁣ help of ⁢attorney Jeff Childers, a business attorney in Gainesville, ​Florida.​ Since the COVID-19 lockdowns began, Mr. Childers ⁢has become active in lawsuits ⁢around the country related to medical freedom. He authors a daily blog called Coffee and Covid, which started by chronicling ⁢COVID-19 issues and now tracks other social ‍and political issues as well.

Mr. Childers crafted ⁤a 64-page appeal‍ to ​the board, dissecting every accusation made against Dr. Littell, an Epoch Times reporter confirmed. And as word of the ⁣threat to‍ Dr. Littell’s board certification spread—a move that⁣ would prevent him from practicing medicine—medical freedom activists‌ rose ⁢up to⁢ take his side.

A GiveSendGo.com campaign was⁣ started to collect donations to fund his legal fees. More⁣ than 6,400 ⁢people donated almost $255,000. And more than 1,900 pledged to pray for Dr. Littell.

The Global Covid Summit

The Global Covid Summit, an international group of doctors focused on ⁢medical freedom in COVID-19 treatment, sent a letter signed by 169​ doctors to the ABFM ⁢in support of Dr. Littell. In the letter, they argued that ⁢the board was false in ⁢every⁤ accusation made ⁤against Dr. Littell.

Florida Surgeon ‍General Joseph Ladapo also voiced support for Dr. Littell.

“What they’re doing is ⁤being a ⁣bully,” he said in an interview‌ with The Floridian. “It’s not going​ to‌ age well.

“I read the ⁢letter ⁢from​ the Board, and it’s dripping with political ⁢animosity.

Both Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and Dr. Littell’s congresswoman, Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.)‌ sent letters in his defense to the board, Dr. Littell said.

“I’ve got ​to believe it’s not in the dozens, but probably in ​the hundreds of people ​who called and sent letters to the American Board of Family​ Medicine,” Dr. Littell said. “I never asked them to, but that is what was‍ happening.”

In July, Dr. Littell received word⁤ that the board had reviewed his case and retroactively ​de-certified him for⁣ three months, from March 16⁢ to ⁤June 16. He ‌never stopped⁢ seeing patients.

“It’s like ‍a slap on the wrist so they’d feel good about⁣ it, but⁢ wouldn’t,‌ presumably, have ‍to face ⁤any legal action,” he said.

His attorney agreed.

“They did it ‌in a very face-saving way,” ​Mr. Childers said.

But ultimately,‍ he’s pleased⁢ with the decision.

“We were really surprised and gratified that we ‍were able⁤ to achieve that result,” Mr. Childers said.

Dr. Littell credits it to being “a‌ God thing” that he was able⁢ to keep‍ caring for patients and face a decertification period only retroactively.

“If they had said I‍ was decertified, I would not have been able to do what I was ⁤doing. I mean, especially with the hospital care patients. I could have gotten into big trouble,” he said.

He still may⁤ face consequences for having the blemish ‌on his record, he‍ said. He’ll have to report⁢ it to the hospitals at which he works and explain what happened, ⁤he‌ said.

“Every time ‍I go up for privileges⁣ with‍ a hospital or‍ any other institution, ‌they’re going to say, ‘Well, has your license ever been suspended or​ revoked, and has your board certification ‍ever been revoked?’ So, it’s still an issue. ⁢It’s⁣ not like you can just forget‍ about it.”

He’s been advised by some other doctors, such as cardiologist Peter ⁢McCullough, to pursue legal action⁢ for the disciplinary ⁤measure they feel was wrong, he⁤ said.

Continuing to ‌Speak ⁤Out

Dr. Littell continues to speak out about the​ same topics. ⁣So he suspects he’ll face retribution again, he said.

“The way ⁣I read the letter, it’s sort of like a warning,” Dr. Littell said.

The board, he said, seemed⁣ to be sending ⁤the warning, ​”If you act up ‍again, we know it’s a privilege to have this board certification, and it can be removed at any time.”

And the next‌ time, the punishment is likely to escalate.

“The ⁤implication ⁣is‍ that if ‌it happens again, it’s going ⁤to be more than just three months,” Mr. Childers said.

Around the country, ‍a slew of doctors had board certifications ⁤removed ⁢and licensure threatened for sharing their COVID-related opinions.

“Most people would probably be⁣ surprised to find out there’s a lot of this going on, now that the pandemic is over,” Mr. Childers said. “From what I’ve heard,⁤ there’s probably‌ more challenges‍ to doctor licensing right now than at any other time.”

But because most doctors​ aren’t⁣ vocal about receiving discipline, ⁢it’s hard to know ​exactly⁤ how‌ often it’s occurring, he said.

Doctors who have been active on social media seem to be targeted more often by medical authorities, ‍he said.

Doctors who were not actively⁢ posting their thoughts ​about⁢ COVID-19 on social media “should feel very confident that if they follow a similar approach to what Dr. Littell⁢ did, they could hope for a good result at ‌this point,” he said.

Obtaining good⁣ legal advice is key, he said. It also helps to spread the word.

“All too often doctors either ignore these kinds of‍ letters‌ until it’s too ⁢late because they’re embarrassed, or they try to handle it on their own,” he said.

“It’s important that people know⁢ when this happens. And if they’ll let ⁣folks⁣ know, they’ll find ⁣that they get a lot ​of support.”

Dr. Littell has‌ no plans to keep quiet‍ about what he feels went ⁢wrong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m not letting up,” he said.

He’s organizing his third annual medical freedom summit in⁢ November called “Food, Family & Medical ​Freedom” ​in Ocala, Florida‌ at the World Equestrian Center.

Helping ‍Future Doctors

He intends to use the remaining money ‌donated to his legal fund to help others respond⁤ to similar licensure problems, especially threats ​faced ‍by medical students, he said.

He’s trying “to come up ‍with a legal, legislative, and public relations strategy‍ that ‌helps future physicians,”⁣ he⁤ said. When they see⁤ practicing doctors disciplined and “raked over the coals” for speaking out about⁤ medical freedom issues, it deters good people from pursuing a degree in⁢ medicine, he said.

“I would like the medical freedom fighters, as I’m calling them, to create a sanctuary for pre-med, especially, and medical school​ students.”

“Early ‍on, even in the colleges, they weed out the physicians who dare to question the narrative or challenge it,” he said, of those⁣ who insist that doctors ⁣decrees made by ⁣federal ​health agencies.

But asking questions and challenging prevailing ⁢thought is important to the goal of continually improving ‌medical ⁢treatments, ‌he said.

“And that intellectual curiosity is what we’re so ‌desperately lacking now‌ in medicine, and​ in most professions.”

He also envisions the‌ network expanding‍ to help connect ‌like-minded educators in colleges, ⁢universities,​ and medical schools to share ‌their ideas without ⁢fear of being in opposition to “woke”⁣ ideology, he said.

He hopes to see that network push back against “lockstep ⁤mentality” and‌ help students who⁣ are suffering because of it.

Medical students taught by Dr. Littell often tell him ⁤how difficult it is ⁣to be ​entering the field of medicine at this time, he ⁣said.

One student told him that his second-year class ⁣was forced to be vaccinated‌ for​ COVID-19, he ‍said. Classmates were‌ told by their university ‍they’d be “thrown out” of medical school in two weeks if ‌they didn’t comply, Dr. ​Littell said.

The student‍ told him that, although⁢ more than half the class didn’t want the vaccine, they felt they had no other option, Dr. Littell‌ said. Weeks later, the mandate ⁣was lifted. But it was too late—many ⁣students already had submitted‌ to getting the shot they didn’t want.

“It’s like they [university officials] were ‍playing games,” he said. “And the students didn’t know⁤ any better.

“They just don’t have enough support,” Dr. ⁢Littell ‌lamented. “They want to say‌ things, but⁣ they’re afraid⁣ they’re going to get disciplined if they speak out.”

He⁣ sees bringing people together to unite in​ their pushback against prevailing opinion as crucial to creating a better future for medical professionals.