CASPER, Wyo. — A federal judge has denied Dr. Eric Cubin’s request to be immediately reinstated to the Wyoming Board of Medicine after Governor Mark Gordon removed him earlier this year.
In a ruling signed on Nov. 14, Chief U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl stated that Governor Gordon has a valid interest in ensuring that board members can perform their duties without actual or perceived bias.
Dr. Cubin, a Casper radiologist, had supported “Chloe’s Law,” a bill regulating gender-affirming surgeries for children. The bill, signed into law by Gordon earlier this year, was debated in February while the Wyoming Medical Society (WMS) considered its position. Ultimately, WMS opposed the bill.
Uncertain about WMS’s stance at the time, Dr. Cubin sent an email directly to lawmakers expressing his support for the bill. However, in the email, he also accused WMS leadership of silencing opposing views and being influenced by “woke” and “far-left” ideologies.
After the bill passed, Governor Gordon’s chief of staff informed Dr. Cubin in April that he was being removed from the Board of Medicine. Cubin chose to resign instead.
In August, Dr. Cubin sued Governor Gordon, claiming his removal violated his First Amendment rights. The governor’s attorneys argued that Cubin’s outspoken political stance could jeopardize the board’s impartiality.
The Wyoming Board of Medicine oversees tasks such as granting and revoking medical licenses and addressing malpractice allegations. Judge Skavdahl noted that Dr. Cubin’s comments could raise concerns about his ability to fairly adjudicate cases involving WMS or its members, potentially disrupting the board’s operations.
While Dr. Cubin argued that his removal has harmed his reputation and discouraged him from speaking out, over 5,300 Wyoming residents signed a petition urging Governor Gordon to reinstate him.
Judge Skavdahl emphasized that the decision only denies Dr. Cubin’s request for immediate reinstatement, as the legal threshold for such relief is high. The case may still proceed in court for further litigation.
Dr. Cubin expressed concerns about how the situation has affected his professional reputation, stating that news coverage and the governor’s actions have questioned his objectivity and professionalism as a physician.