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Sherri Tenpenny is an American osteopathic physician known for her outspoken opposition to vaccines. She has built a career as an author, speaker, and advocate for what she calls "health freedom," which includes the right to refuse vaccination. Trained at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 1984, she initially worked as an emergency department director at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Ohio from 1986 to 1998. Over time, she shifted her focus to integrative medicine, founding the Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center in Ohio, which promotes alternative health approaches.
Tenpenny has written several books, including "Saying No to Vaccines: A Resource Guide for All Ages," where she argues against vaccination, often linking it to conditions like autism—a claim widely debunked by scientific consensus. She gained significant attention for spreading misinformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with claims like vaccines making people magnetic or interfacing with cellphone towers. These assertions, made notably during a 2021 testimony to an Ohio legislative panel, drew widespread criticism and ridicule.
Her medical license in Ohio, held since 1984, was suspended in 2023 by the State Medical Board for failing to cooperate with an investigation sparked by hundreds of complaints about her statements. It was reinstated in 2024 after she paid a fine and agreed to comply with investigators. Beyond medicine, she’s been involved in alternative health circles, speaking at events and running courses like the "Mastering Vaccine Info Boot Camp" to promote her views. She’s also been identified by groups like the Center for Countering Digital Hate as one of the key figures spreading vaccine misinformation online.
Tenpenny’s work and persona polarize—some see her as a champion of personal choice, while others view her as a purveyor of dangerous pseudoscience. Her influence persists through books, media appearances, and a following in anti-vaccine communities, despite legal and professional setbacks.