Trump Nominates Dr. Casey Means As Surgeon General

The U.S. Surgeon General oversees the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, over 6,000 uniformed public health officers of the HHS' Public Health Service (PHS).  The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is the uniformed service branch of the United States Public Health Service and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States:

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Who is Casey Means? Trump Nominates Wellness Influencer as Surgeon General
By Gabe Whisnant - May 07, 2025

President Donald Trump has selected Dr. Casey Means, a wellness advocate and social media influencer with close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as his new nominee for U.S. surgeon general. The decision follows the withdrawal of Trump's initial pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, from Senate consideration.

In a Wednesday post on social media, Trump praised Means for her health-focused background and alignment with his "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, saying she has "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials." He added, "Her academic achievements, together with her life's work, are absolutely outstanding. Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History." Means is expected to focus on combating chronic disease and improving overall public health.

What to Know About Dr. Casey Means

Means is a wellness influencer and physician known for advocating lifestyle-based approaches to health, particularly in the areas of metabolic health, nutrition, and chronic disease prevention. A former practicing ear, nose, and throat surgeon, she co-founded the metabolic health company Levels and has gained a large following through her writings, podcasts, and social media presence focused on functional medicine and health optimization.

Her nontraditional background and emphasis on holistic wellness have made her a prominent voice in the growing movement to integrate lifestyle and nutrition into mainstream healthcare.

As surgeon general, Means would oversee the 6,000-member U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and serve as the nation's leading voice on public health, with the authority to issue advisories on major health threats.

Dr. Janette Nesheiwat Withdrawn as Trump's Surgeon General Pick

The move comes as Trump withdrew Nesheiwat's nomination amid growing scrutiny. Nesheiwat, the medical director of a New York urgent care center and a frequent Fox News contributor, had been scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing Thursday. She is a vocal supporter of Trump and has a family tie to former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who is now Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

However, Nesheiwat faced backlash from some of Trump's far-right allies. Activist Laura Loomer criticized her credentials on social media, claiming she was "a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee" involved in a medical malpractice case and questioned her education.

CBS News later reported that Nesheiwat earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten, despite claiming it came from the University of Arkansas. The controversy mirrors another recent withdrawal—former Florida GOP Rep. Dave Weldon, who had been nominated to lead the CDC, withdrew in March after concerns about his vaccine skepticism led the White House to conclude he lacked sufficient Senate support.