OKLAHOMA CITY, -- Oklahoma Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye abruptly resigned on Friday. The resignation was effective immediately, according to the state health department.

Rachel Klein, spokesperson for the Department, stated that Frye felt it was time to leave as head of the agency.

He resigned a day after the governor and other state Republican leaders. Kevin Stitt was outraged when he learned that the May birth certificate issued by the health department contained a nonbinary gender designation.

In settlement with an Oregon-born Oklahoma resident, the birth certificate was issued. Frye stated that the settlement was reached under former state Attorney General Mike Hunter.

Frye was praised for "the dedication and resilience of the OSDH team," according to a Friday statement by the department. They have been tireless in ensuring Oklahomans had access not only to COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and other vital information over the past two years, but also to other life-saving services.

Frye was elected by Stitt and praised Frye's handling of the state's coronavirus pandemic.

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Frye was a strong advocate of mask-wearing to slow the spread COVID in Oklahoma, and was often seen wearing one. However, he did not publicly oppose Stitt's decision to not issue a state-wide mandate for masks.

According to Kevin Corbett (state Secretary of Health and Mental Health), Keith Reed, Deputy Health Commissioner, has been appointed interim commissioner of Health.

Corbett stated, "I am grateful Dr. Frye for stepping in during a very hard time, to keep Oklahomans safer and to develop a path to a future state health in Oklahoma," The state owes him gratitude for his time.

Frye was appointed health commissioner in May 2020, after the state Senate rejected to consider Gary Cox's nomination as commissioner.