Janette Nesheiwat, a medical doctor and former Fox News contributor, will be nominated to be surgeon general, President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday night.
The surgeon general is often called the “nation’s doctor.” If confirmed, she would oversee, but not directly supervise, the members of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and speak for the government on public health issues. It’s largely a figurehead position. Health and Human Services describes the job as “providing Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.”
The pick of Nesheiwat, a family and emergency medicine doctor, is in line with the incoming administration’s focus on keeping people healthy in an effort to avoid costly care. She is currently the medical director for CityMD, a large provider of urgent care clinics in New York and New Jersey.
“Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health,” according to Trump’s announcement.
Vivek Murthy, the current surgeon general, has focused on issues including combating loneliness and improving the mental health of parents. He’s also criticized social media for having a negative effect on the mental health of young people.
Unlike some other health officials Trump said he will nominate, Nesheiwat does not have a history of criticizing vaccines. Vaccine scientist and advocate Peter Hotez praised Nesheiwat on the social media website X.
“A good appointment, happy about this,” Hotez wrote. “She is very smart, thoughtful, interested in learning, and a compassionate doctor.”
Nesheiwat received her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean in 2006 and completed her medical training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2009.
Nesheiwat wrote a book, “Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine,” about “the transformative power of prayer and unwavering dedication to healing and service.” Nesheiwat sells the book on her website, which runs an ad for a dietary supplement that she formulated.