Trump Taps Dr. Nicole Saphier as New Surgeon General Nominee
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Dr. Nicole B. Saphier as his choice for U.S. Surgeon General. The announcement comes on the heels of the withdrawal of his previous nominee, wellness influencer Dr. Casey Means, marking the third time Trump has put forward a candidate for the nation’s top public health role during this transition.
Who is Dr. Nicole Saphier?
Dr. Saphier is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist and a familiar face to many as a regular Fox News contributor. Announcing the nomination on Truth Social, Trump praised her as a “STAR physician” and an “INCREDIBLE COMMUNICATOR” who will help advance the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda.
Professional Profile:
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Current Role: Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Monmouth, New Jersey location).
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Specialties: Diagnostic radiology, focusing on breast imaging, CT scans, and ultrasounds.
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Education & Training: Medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine; residency at Maricopa Integrated Health Systems; fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.
Why the Change in Nominees?
Dr. Saphier steps in after Dr. Casey Means—a prominent ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—faced intense pushback during her February Senate confirmation hearing. Lawmakers heavily scrutinized Means over her controversial stances on vaccines, birth control, and pesticides, as well as questioning her medical credentials.
Prior to Means, Trump had initially nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat last year before withdrawing her name to put Means forward.
Despite pulling her nomination, Trump stated that Means will remain a key figure in his health initiatives, noting she will continue to fight for MAHA priorities such as addressing rising childhood disease rates, autism, poor nutrition, over-medicalization, and infertility.
Past Controversies
While Saphier brings traditional medical credentials to the role, her public commentary has drawn scrutiny in the past. In 2022, she was among several public figures who falsely claimed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was attempting to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for students. The CDC does not hold the legal authority to issue such educational mandates; those decisions are strictly governed by individual states and local jurisdictions.
What Does the Surgeon General Do?
Often referred to by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the “Nation’s Doctor,” the Surgeon General serves as the leading spokesperson for public health in the United States.
A primary responsibility of the position is overseeing the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, an elite group of uniformed officers and public health professionals dedicated to protecting and advancing the health and safety of the nation.
