Trump Nominates Dr. Nicole Saphier as U.S. Surgeon General

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will nominate Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist, as U.S. Surgeon General. The nomination follows the Senate’s failure to advance Dr. Casey Means, whose confirmation stalled over questions about her experience and vaccine positions. Saphier directs breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth and holds an MD from Ross University (Barbados) with fellowships at the Mayo Clinic.

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Dr. Casey Means, a 38-year-old Stanford-trained physician, was nominated in May. She has not completed a surgical residency, lacks an active medical license, and promotes Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) positions, including public doubts about the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine. Senate hearings in late February focused on those doubts and her alignment with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine stance. After prolonged delays and bipartisan criticism, the nomination was withdrawn.

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• Dr. Nicole Saphier – Radiologist; MD, Ross University (Barbados); fellowships at Mayo Clinic; director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth.

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• Dr. Casey Means – Stanford-trained physician; no completed surgical residency; no active license; MAHA activist; brother Calley Means is a health adviser to the Trump administration.

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• Senators – Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; Bernie Sanders (I-VT), ranking member; Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME), who expressed reservations about the nominations.

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The White House called Saphier a “STAR physician” who has guided women through breast-cancer diagnosis and treatment. Senate officials have not set a confirmation hearing date. The Department of Health and Human Services referred inquiries to the White House, offering no comment.

Associated Press

Senators say Saphier, like Means, lacks extensive public-health leadership and has questioned the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine. Critics also point to her past criticism of COVID-19 booster mandates and occasional divergence from the administration’s vaccine messaging. The MAHA movement’s role in both nominations hinders bipartisan support.

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• “a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment.” — President Donald Trump

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• “a strong MAHA Warrior” — President Donald Trump

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• “I don’t necessarily think it’s necessary,” — Dr. Nicole Saphier

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• “The President’s recent comments on Tylenol in pregnancy are a prime example. Advising moderation was sound; delivering it in a patronizing, simplistic way was not.” — Dr. Nicole Saphier

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The sources give no Senate timetable for Saphier’s confirmation and do not confirm whether the CDC’s hepatitis B policy change is fully in effect. No details on Saphier’s prior public-health leadership are provided.

Associated Press

The nomination will go to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, where it is expected to face scrutiny similar to Means’ hearing. Confirmation depends on committee scheduling, bipartisan support, and resolution of vaccine-policy concerns.

Associated Press