Trump Nominates Casey Means as New Surgeon General, Replacing Prior Pick
In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has announced a new nominee for the position of U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Casey Means, a health and wellness influencer associated with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, has been tapped to replace the previously withdrawn nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat.
Nomination Shake-up and MAHA Influence
President Trump revealed his choice of Dr. Means in a social media post on Wednesday, praising her "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials." The nomination comes after the withdrawal of Dr. Nesheiwat's candidacy, which had faced scrutiny over her professional qualifications and past support for COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Dr. Means, who received her medical degree from Stanford University, is known for her unconventional career path. After leaving a surgical residency at Oregon Health & Science University, she established a holistic health practice and co-founded Levels, a tech company focused on metabolic health monitoring.
The president emphasized Dr. Means' alignment with the administration's health agenda, stating she would work closely with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to "reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic" and improve health outcomes for Americans.
Controversies Surrounding Previous Nominee
The nomination of Dr. Means follows the rescindment of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's candidacy, which had been announced in November. Dr. Nesheiwat, a Fox News medical contributor, faced criticism from multiple fronts:
- Questions arose regarding her educational background, with a CBS News report revealing discrepancies in her claims about her medical degree.
- Right-wing voices, including Laura Loomer, called for her nomination to be withdrawn due to her initial support for COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation measures.
Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams expressed concern about the reasons behind Dr. Nesheiwat's withdrawal, noting the potential stigmatization of foreign medical graduates and the troubling implications of rescinding a nomination based on support for vaccines.
Despite the setback, President Trump indicated that Dr. Nesheiwat might be considered for another role within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Implications for Public Health Policy
The nomination of Dr. Means signals a potential shift in the administration's approach to public health. Known for her criticism of the pharmaceutical industry's influence and traditional medical education, Dr. Means has advocated for a focus on nutrition, lifestyle factors, and environmental considerations in addressing chronic diseases.
As the nomination moves forward, the healthcare community and policymakers will be closely watching to see how Dr. Means' perspectives on holistic health and her ties to the MAHA movement might influence national public health strategies and initiatives.
References
- Trump nominates MAHA influencer as surgeon general after prior pick pulled
Casey Means, M.D., was named in a Wednesday social media post. The prior nomination, Janette Nesheiwat, M.D., had come under fire from multiple camps over her professional credentials and prior support for COVID-19 vaccination.
Explore Further
What are Dr. Casey Means' specific contributions to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement?
How might Dr. Means’ holistic health approach challenge traditional pharmaceutical and biotech industries?
What was the impact of the initial scrutiny over Dr. Janette Nesheiwat's nomination on the administration's decision-making process?
How have previous personnel changes in the position of U.S. Surgeon General affected public health policy direction?
What role might Dr. Janette Nesheiwat play in the Department of Health and Human Services if reconsidered for another position?