Dr. Travis Riddell affirmed for another 4 years as Health Officer

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Teton District Health Officer Travis Riddell was affirmed this week for another four years by the Board of County Commissioners.

Since 2005, when the BCC was granted power to affirm Board of Health appointments, affirmation has been a slam-dunk exercise in symbolism only. This time around, with the pandemic painting a bullseye on anyone in the public eye, Riddell’s affirmation was no guarantee.

“If we were not to affirm would the Board of Health have to go back and find someone else?” commissioner Greg Epstein asked county attorney Keith Gingery, who explained the procedure with the commissioners.

“Yes, they would,” Gingery answered.

Epstein voted against Riddell’s affirmation. He was the only one. In fact, Riddell was the only one who wanted the gig.

After putting out feelers and advertisements for candidates, Riddell was the only one to apply to be the Health Officer. The Board of Health put forth his nomination on November 16, and the Board of County Commissioners affirmed it on Tuesday, making Riddell the Health Officer through 2025.

Commissioner Luther Propst pointed out Riddell’s service in the capacity of Health Officer for nearly the past 10 years. The medical doctor with a private practice has a Masters in Public Health. He was educated at Stanford and did his residency at Harvard. Riddel was also recently recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, and Business Person of the Year by the Teton County Board of Realtors.

“He’s done a difficult job during a challenging time. He’s done it extremely well despite personal attacks on him. I think we are very lucky to have him,” Propst said, also pointing out “personal attacks” the doctor has suffered during his appointment.

Commissioner Mark Barron, while he has questioned health officials every step of the way regarding mask mandates and vaccine effectiveness, agreed with Propst.

“This has been a tough pandemic and everyone on the front lines has taken their hits. Travis Riddell is no exception,” Barron said. “However, I support appointment, and appreciate his medical skills to this community.”

Epstein cast the sole dissenting vote in the 4-1 affirmation.

“I cannot affirm this. I feel like it’s time to have fresh blood in the seat,” Epstein said. “What has really caused me to question whether Dr. Riddell is the right person is, over the course of this last handful of months, even though he said he’s following the science closely, there is other science out there from other sources that I don’t feel are being heard or discussed.”