President Trump pulled his year-old nomination of Dr. Casey Means for surgeon general Thursday and replaced her with Dr. Nicole Saphier as his third nominee for the vacant post.
The president lauded Dr. Saphier, who is a radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey and a Fox News Channel contributor, calling her “a STAR physician” and “INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR.”
“Nicole is a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment while tirelessly advocating to increase early cancer detection and prevention, while at the same time working with men and women on all other forms of cancer diagnoses and treatments,” he said on Truth Social. “She is also an INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR, who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. Dr. Nicole Saphier will do great things for our Country, and help, “MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN.”
Dr. Means’ path toward confirmation stalled in the Senate due to questions about her medical experience and opinions on vaccines, having been grilled by lawmakers across the aisle during a confirmation hearing that did not ease doubts. She is a former physician and social media influencer.
Mr. Trump initially had described Dr. Means as “a strong MAHA Warrior,” having nominated her at the recommendation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
He berated Sen. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Republican, who questioned Dr. Means about vaccines during her hearing, for engaging in “intransigence and political games.”
The president’s picks for the nation’s top doctor have seen bumps in the road. Dr. Means was selected after White House withdrew Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination. Dr. Saphier is now Mr. Trump’s third choice.
