Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, had her Senate confirmation hearing postponed unexpectedly due to going into labor. The 38-year-old physician, who is expecting her first child, was set to virtually appear before the Senate health committee to discuss her vision for addressing chronic disease by targeting its root causes. However, the hearing had to be rescheduled to accommodate her joyful moment.
Dr. Means, a Stanford-educated doctor, gained popularity as a wellness influencer after becoming disillusioned with traditional medicine. She aims to revolutionize public health by focusing on addressing metabolic dysfunction through improved nutrition and reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods. As a co-founder of Levels, a health tracking app, she has been a proponent of holistic approaches to healthcare.
Despite concerns about her lack of government experience and inactive medical license, Dr. Means has pledged to resign from her private ventures if confirmed as surgeon general. She has faced scrutiny for her financial ties to health and wellness products, with questions raised about her failure to disclose potential conflicts of interest in promoting these products.
If confirmed, Dr. Means would lead the U.S. Public Health Service Corps and have the authority to issue public health advisories. She would align with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, which focuses on improving food safety, reducing chemical additives in food, and promoting healthier eating habits.
In her ethics filing, Dr. Means committed to divesting from her private ventures and avoiding financial interests in entities listed on the FDA’s prohibited holdings list. She would advocate for vaccination and public health issues, although she would not be involved in creating vaccine policies. Despite her association with Kennedy, she has distanced herself from his controversial views on vaccines and called for further safety investigations.
Dr. Means’ nomination follows the withdrawal of President Trump’s initial pick for surgeon general, Janette Nesheiwat, amid criticism from political allies. As the nation awaits Dr. Means’ rescheduled confirmation hearing, her unique perspective on public health and wellness will continue to be a topic of interest and discussion.
By Ali Swenson
