33-26-201. State board of medicine; composition; appointment; terms; qualifications; removal; vacancies; quorum.

(a) The Wyoming state board of medicine shall consist of five (5) physicians licensed to practice medicine in Wyoming, not less than one (1) of whom shall possess the degree of doctor of osteopathy and not less than two (2) of whom shall possess the degree of doctor of medicine, one (1) physician assistant and two (2) lay members, appointed by the governor by and with the consent of the senate as required by W.S. 28-12-101 through 28-12-103. Board members appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The board members shall annually elect a president, a vice-president, and a secretary.

(b) Board members shall serve four (4) year terms. No board member shall serve more than three (3) consecutive terms.

(c) Physician and physician assistant members shall reside in, hold a full and unrestricted license and actively practice in this state. Lay members shall reside in this state.

(d) The governor shall appoint a new board member if a vacancy occurs. A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the unexpired portion of the vacated term. A vacancy occurs if a member:

(i) Is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings;

(ii) No longer holds a full and unrestricted license to practice in this state or no longer engages in active practice in this state;

(iii) Resigns; or

(iv) Is removed by the governor.

(e) A quorum of the board consists of five (5) board members, including a lay member, unless otherwise specified in subsection (f) of this section.

(f) If the board president determines that due to conflicts of interest or other circumstances it may not be possible to seat a quorum of board members to hear a disciplinary case brought pursuant to this act, the president may submit a written request to the governor for the appointment of one (1) or more acting board members to hear the disciplinary case in question. Upon receipt of the request, the governor shall appoint the requested number of temporary board members for the sole purpose of hearing the disciplinary case in question. Only persons who previously served as members of the board shall be eligible for temporary appointment to hear disciplinary cases before the board. Appointments made under this subsection shall not require the consent of the senate pursuant to W.S. 28-12-101 through 28-12-103. Persons appointed pursuant to this subsection shall be compensated and have their expenses reimbursed in the same manner as regular board members under W.S. 33-26-203(c). The appointment of a person under this subsection shall automatically terminate upon the entering of a final order in the disciplinary case for which he was appointed.