The Ohio State Medical Board reinstated the medical license of a doctor who spread conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines, including the false claim that they make people magnetic.
The board voted last month to restore Dr. Sherri Tenpenny's license after suspending it last year and fining her $3,000. State officials said Tenpenny refused to cooperate with their investigation after the board received 350 complaints about her.
Tenpenny is an osteopathic doctor in Cuyahoga County who's been licensed in Ohio since 1984. She attracted national attention in 2021 when she testified in favor of legislation to block vaccine requirements and mask mandates. During her remarks, Tenpenny rattled off misinformation about COVID vaccines, including the baseless claim that they can connect to 5G technology.
"I'm sure you've seen the pictures all over the internet of people who have had these shots and now they're magnetized," Tenpenny said during the hearing. "They can put a key on their forehead, it sticks. They can put spoons and forks all over them and they can stick because now we think that there's a metal piece to that."
The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain microchips or make metal objects stick to recipients.
During the investigation, the board questioned whether Tenpenny administered vaccines at her practice and if she received the COVID vaccine herself, according to state records . Officials also asked if she had evidence for her comments about the vaccine and her claim that some metropolitan areas were "liquifying dead bodies and pouring them into the water supply."
Tenpenny's attorney told the board that she wouldn't participate in an "illegal fishing expedition," records show.
A medical board spokesperson declined to provide details about the complaints against Tenpenny. But the board ultimately voted in Tenpenny's favor − over the objections of two members − and argued she met the requirements for reinstatement.
"Standing strong and steadfast! I'm thrilled to share that my medical license has been reinstated," Tenpenny posted on X . "Thank you all for your unwavering love and support but most importantly for your prayers during these challenging times."
Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio doctor who said COVID vaccines make people magnetic gets medical license back
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