On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor, as his choice for the next U.S. Surgeon General. This marks his third attempt to fill the position following the withdrawal of Casey Means’ nomination.
Trump’s decision has ignited tensions with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who he accused of obstructing Means’ nomination and labeled as “a very disloyal person.” Means, a close ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., struggled to secure the necessary votes to advance in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, a committee led by Cassidy.
Means has been involved with the Make America Healthy Again movement, which has faced criticism for its stance on vaccines. Her brother, Calley Means, works at the White House, adding another layer of complexity to her nomination process. Cassidy’s office has yet to comment on the situation, and Means could not be reached for immediate comment.
As Surgeon General, the appointee will provide the public with scientific information related to health improvement and illness prevention. Dr. Saphier, who serves at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, is recognized for her advocacy in breast cancer awareness and early detection. Trump praised her on Truth Social, stating, “Nicole is a STAR physician who has spent her career guiding women facing breast cancer through their diagnosis and treatment while tirelessly advocating to increase early cancer detection and prevention.”
In contrast, Trump stated that Means would persist in advocating for the Kennedy-led movement despite Cassidy’s opposition. Kennedy has publicly supported Means, commending her as one of the movement’s “most powerful evangelists” and denouncing Cassidy for stalling her nomination.
Dr. Saphier is the third nominee for the Surgeon General position, following the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat in May, both of whom encountered rigorous opposition from far-right activists. At Means’ contentious confirmation hearing in February, she was questioned about her positions on vaccines, birth control, and potential conflicts of interest, where she acknowledged the importance of vaccines while declining to refute unfounded claims linking vaccines to autism.
Public health advocate Lisa Gilbert described the withdrawal of Means’ nomination as a positive outcome for public health, stating, “Casey Means is unqualified and unfit to be Surgeon General and the withdrawal of her nomination is a win for the American public.”
Unlike Means, Dr. Saphier holds an active medical license and specializes in breast imaging. She earned her medical degree from Ross University in Barbados and completed fellowships at the Mayo Clinic. Saphier’s work similarly touches on health prevention, with her book focusing on chronic disease prevention through lifestyle enhancements such as diet and exercise.
