Minnesota surgeon fired after saying parents should decide whether children should wear masks

Dr. Jeffrey Horak spoke before the Fergus Falls School Board on Oct. 11, arguing that parents should have the final decision concerning the health of their children.
Schoolchildren wearing masks
By Colton Salaz

A Minnesota surgeon was fired from his job earlier this month for giving a speech to school officials in which he advocated for parents to decide whether their children should wear masks. 

According to Fox News, Dr. Jeffrey Horak spoke before the Fergus Falls School Board on Oct. 11, arguing that parents should have the final decision concerning the health of their children.

Dr. Horak's comments were in response to a district-wide mask mandate that went into effect the day prior.

"Who does God put in charge of these kids? Their parents," Horak said during the meeting. "God gave each one of these kids... to their parents and they speak for them. They may be wrong, they may be dumb, they may be perfect in their decisions. But it’s still their responsibility. It’s not yours. God gave it to them. Honor their wishes, either side of the fence."

Horak reportedly said that more than a week later, he was dismissed from his position at Lake Region Healthcare because his "views were no longer congruent" with that of the hospital. 

A spokesperson for Lake Region confirmed that Horak no longer works there as of Wednesday. The spokesperson went on to say that Lake Region's didn't make the decision concerning Horak's employment, rather it was the "Medical Group Board who made the decision about discontinuing Dr. Horak’s practice."

"To be clear, this was a decision that was made by Dr. Horak’s peers who serve on the Medical Group Board, not by Lake Region Healthcare, the community-based hospital where Dr. Horak practiced General Surgery," the spokesperson told Fox News.

The company also said the reasons for his firing are confidential, and they wouldn't discuss it further with the press.