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 medical 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. Saphier, director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth, has a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados, according to her profile on the cancer center’s website.
Her book, “Make America Healthy Again” published in 2020, promotes lifestyle changes and healthy eating to prevent chronic diseases — the slogan of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA movement.
Ms. Means’ path toward confirmation stalled in the Senate in part 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. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine indicated skeptical stances about voting to confirm her.
Ms. Means’ confirmation was initially delayed because she went into labor.
She graduated from Stanford School of Medicine and later left her residency to focus on functional medicine. She then gained a name ID in the MAHA movement as a social media influencer. She does not hold a medical license.
Mr. Trump initially had described Ms. Means as “a strong MAHA Warrior,” having nominated her at the recommendation of Mr. Kennedy.
The president berated Sen. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Republican and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, who questioned Ms. 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. Ms. Means was selected after White House withdrew Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination amid scrutiny over her representation of her medical credentials and educational background. Dr. Saphier is now Mr. Trump’s third choice.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.
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