Story perspectives

Trump Nominates Controversial Radiologist Saphier as Surgeon General

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier as surgeon general, replacing Dr. Casey Means.
The CDC has lacked a permanent director since August 2025, leaving most senior health positions unfilled.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voiced concerns about the nominee.
Dr. Saphier, a board-certified radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, has questioned vaccine mandates and spread a false claim that the CDC would require COVID-19 shots for all schoolchildren.

History

Historical Context

Trump named Tom Price HHS secretary in February 2017; he served only 231 days, one of the briefest tenures recorded. In January 2018 the Senate confirmed Alex Azar by a 55-43 vote. This history of rapid, contested health-department appointments under Trump underlies Senate criticism of the surgeon-general nomination and raises concerns about agency continuity.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier as surgeon general, replacing Dr. Casey Means.
The CDC has lacked a permanent director since August 2025, leaving most senior health positions unfilled.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voiced concerns about the nominee.
Dr. Saphier, a board-certified radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, has questioned vaccine mandates and spread a false claim that the CDC would require COVID-19 shots for all schoolchildren.

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