Dr. Edward Simmer, the governor's nominee to continue as director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, appeared before the Senate Medical Affairs Committee on Oct. 12, 2025, to answer questions about his record, policy views and recent controversies surrounding the agency.

In opening remarks and a prepared statement, Dr. Simmer, who was first confirmed by the full Senate on Feb. 4, 2021, after receiving a 40–1 vote from that body, defended his stewardship of the agency, disputed what he called “outrageously false allegations,” and outlined accomplishments and plans for DPH. “We inform, you decide,” he said, encapsulating his stated approach to public-health recommendations.

The hearing matters because DPH sets statewide public-health priorities and guidance for a population of more than five million residents; the committee’s advice-and-consent role will determine whether Simmer remains the agency’s leader during planned expansions such as a new public-health laboratory and mobile services.

Simmer summarized his background and rebutted a range of criticisms. He described himself as “a board certified medical doctor licensed in South Carolina” who served more than 30 years in the U.S. Navy and said he “strongly support[s] medical freedom and the sanctity and value of the physician‑patient relationship.” He repeatedly stated that he has never advocated vaccine mandates and that treatment decisions “should be made between the patient and their provider after the patient has given informed consent.”

On the COVID vaccine, Simmer acknowledged rare adverse events but emphasized research showing benefit. “Multiple research studies have shown that the vaccine is very effective at reducing the risk of both hospitalization and death from COVID,” he said, and added that available South Carolina data showed “the risk of hospitalization [was] reduced by 40 percent” among residents. He also said the risk of cardiac side effects is “very low” but highest in young adults and recommended that parents “talk to their child's medical provider” about vaccination for minors.

Senators pressed Simmer on contested claims raised outside the hearing. Senator Corbin (Greenville) presented testimony heard at a post‑COVID listening session alleging DNA contamination of COVID vaccines and asked whether DPH should promote vaccines to children and pregnant women in light of that evidence. Simmer replied that most studies he has reviewed indicate any small quantity of DNA poses no risk and offered to share the research with the senator in a follow‑up meeting. He also acknowledged that the question of long‑term effects would depend on ongoing study and that side effects, while rare, must be acknowledged.

Senator Kimbrell (Spartanburg) questioned the political perception of public‑health actions and raised concerns about prolonged emergency powers. Simmer said he advised the governor when asked that “it was time” to end the state of emergency and that the legislature should have a role in overseeing emergency powers. He also said DPH aims to remain apolitical and that he personally works to avoid partisan positioning by the agency.

Simmer described a series of administrative and programmatic accomplishments under his tenure: leading the separation of the former Department of Health and Environmental Control into two cabinet agencies; consolidating staff into a new facility approved by the legislature and expected to be complete by June; construction of a replacement public‑health laboratory that he said is on schedule to open next year; implementation in 2023 of an electronic health‑record system across state health departments; and deployment of three mobile health units in May. He said the public‑health lab has performed more than 240,000 newborn genetic screenings and identified over 1,000 affected infants.

He highlighted maternal‑health initiatives, noting the state’s continued poor rankings and limited local access to OB‑GYN care: “15 of our 46 counties have no OB‑GYNs. Five more have only one,” he said, and described a legislature‑funded mobile maternity unit intended to bring prenatal and postnatal care to underserved areas. Simmer also pointed to DPH efforts on substance‑use harms, including distributing naloxone to schools and law enforcement, providing free opioid‑overdose safety kits through health departments, and supporting a legislative effort to control xylazine while preserving veterinarians’ access to the drug.

He acknowledged the public criticism and threats he and his family have received, saying his wife was not attending to avoid exposing her to hostile encounters. Simmer said the agency tries to be transparent about recommendations, and he pledged to make facility inspection reports and complaint records publicly available online and to create consultation teams to help facilities improve before inspections.

Committee chair Burton (identified in the hearing as chairman) opened the floor to members and said every senator with a question would be afforded an opportunity to speak; the committee recessed without a final vote and will reconvene at the call of the chair to continue the confirmation process.

No formal committee vote was taken at the Oct. 12 session. Senator Corbin and Senator Kimbrell were among the members who questioned Simmer during the hearing. Staff member Gene Hogan led customary vetting questions before Simmer’s statement and confirmed the nominee’s paperwork was complete.