Hundreds Gather in Support of Fired Surgeon in Fergus Falls

FERGUS FALLS (KDLM) – Several hundred people gathered outside of Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Fall on Monday in support of a surgeon who lost his job after comments he made at a school board meeting.

Dr. Jeff Horak who was employed by Lake Region Medical Group and practiced at Lake Region Healthcare for 16 years spoke in favor of parents’ rights to choose whether their children should wear masks in school. Nine days later, he was fired.

Horak spoke, Monday to a crowd about the incident saying he’s received many positive messages from residents, “You spoke up about God and our rights, so we could live our lives with faith knowing God will take care of us instead of living in fear – the fear that has been pushed these so many months.”

Crowds held signs which read phrases like “No to Cancel Culture” and chanted “We love Dr. Horak” throughout the morning. Dr. Scott Jenson, who is running for Governor in Minnesota also spoke at the rally, “To the people who told Jeff Horak that he doesn’t get to articulate his science based opinion – and when he does, these people want to silence his voice. What’s pretty obvious is that his voice is not going to be silenced.”

Lake Region Healthcare’s CEO has insisted that Horak was not employed by Lake Region Healthcare, but was contracted to work for LGH by Lake Region Medical Group, who ultimately made the decision to discontinue his employment.

Horak says a clause in his contract bars him and his employer from discussing the specific reasons for his departure.

Dr. Horak and Dr. Jenson’s comments can be viewed in full below: