Dr. Ryan Cole will remain on CDH board after renewing license

Dr. Ryan Cole, a controversial member of the Central District Health board, will remain a member after renewing his lapsed medical license.

Cole has been the physician member on the board since 2021; under Idaho law, this position must be licensed to practice medicine in Idaho. His physician license had lapsed at the end of June, the Idaho Press reported, which would have made him ineligible.

The pathologist’s appointment in 2021 had drawn complaints and criticism, including from the Idaho Medical Association, because of Cole’s history of spreading disinformation about the COVID-19 virus and vaccine, the Idaho Press reported. This history led to Washington state regulators limiting his medical license in the Evergreen State.

The independent public health district is governed by a seven-member board that includes members appointed by county commissioners for each of the district’s four counties: Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley. The entity is the primary outlet for public health services in the area.

The board had met for a regular monthly meeting August, but the license didn’t come up.

Health district staff and other board members were unaware of Cole’s license status until an inquiry from the Idaho Press on Aug. 27. Board chairperson Elt Hasbrouck reached out the Ada County commissioners, who would be the ones to appoint a replacement if needed.

Cole’s license status changed to active Wednesday.

The Ada County commissioners said in an emailed statement, “Upon learning that Dr. Cole’s medical license had lapsed the board reached out to Dr. Cole. Dr. Cole realized it was an oversight and provided the appropriate materials. His license is now active. We are happy this was resolved quickly.”

Guido covers Idaho politics for the Lewiston Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Idaho Press of Nampa. She may be contacted at lguido@idahopress.com and can be found on Twitter @EyeOnBoiseGuido.