Nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat Withdrawn
The Trump administration has decided to withdraw the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for the position of surgeon general, as reported by Bloomberg, due to claims that she exaggerated her credentials.
In her place, President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means, stating that she “will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to implement our agenda aimed at reversing the Chronic Disease Epidemic and ensuring great health for all Americans.”
Dr. Means is a Stanford Medical School graduate who began a surgical residency at Oregon Health & Science University. However, she left before completing her residency to start her own practice in functional medicine and founded Levels, a company that provides continuous glucose monitors and a tracking app for blood sugar.
Interestingly, Means’ brother, Calley Means, serves as a notable advisor to Secretary Kennedy.
Dr. Nesheiwat claimed to be a double board-certified physician with a medical degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, but in reality, her medical degree is from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine located in St. Maarten.
Her views have also drawn criticism from some conservatives, particularly regarding her belief that children can identify as a gender different from their biological sex. In a Fox News appearance in 2022, she emphasized the importance of accepting and loving children for who they are, regardless of their gender identity.
Nesheiwat’s nomination hearing was set for May 8 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Nesheiwat’s sister, Julia, is married to Mike Waltz, who has recently transitioned from national security advisor to being nominated for the United Nations ambassador role.
Views on vaccines have also revealed a divergence between Nesheiwat and the Health and Human Services secretary. Nesheiwat previously referred to the COVID vaccine as a “gift from God,” expressing optimism about its potential to save lives in an opinion piece for Fox News in 2021. She remarked on the miraculous nature of the coronavirus vaccine, contrasting sharply with Kennedy’s characterization of it as the “deadliest ever made.”
