Donald Trump Announces Key Health Appointments for Next Administration

In a series of strategic appointments on Friday evening, President-elect Donald Trump named Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the U.S. Surgeon General, marking a significant reshuffling of top health positions in the upcoming administration. Nesheiwat, previously a medical contributor for Fox News, was selected for her vocal advocacy on preventive medicine and public health, as detailed in Trump’s official statement. «Dr. Nesheiwat is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare,» Trump remarked.

This announcement was part of a broader slate of nominations that included Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the Labor Secretary, Russ Vought as Director of the Office and Budget Management, and Scott Turner as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Other key health-related appointments include Johns Hopkins surgeon Dr. Marty Makary as the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, and former Congressman Dave Weldon as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a University of South Florida alumna who completed her residency at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, is recognized for her work at CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. Her previous roles also included positions at Washington Regional Medical Center and Northwest Medical Hospital, alongside her public engagement through educational television shows like «Family Health Today» and «Health Minute with Dr. Janette» on KNWA-TV, according to her biography on the Fox News website.

Meanwhile, Dr. Marty Makary, another key figure in Trump’s announcements, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Johns Hopkins University. He is known for his active participation in health policy debates, particularly his critique of federal health agencies for failing to address chronic diseases effectively. Makary has also publicly supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s «Make America Healthy Again» platform, sparking some controversy over his outspoken views on government health policies.

Dave Weldon, selected for the CDC, comes from a background in both medicine and politics, having represented Florida in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009. Trump’s announcement highlighted Weldon’s previous legislative efforts, including the Weldon Amendment, which has had significant implications for healthcare institutions regarding abortion services. With this selection, Trump aims to restore public trust in federal health authorities, a task requiring confirmation by the Senate due to recent legislative changes.

These appointments collectively underscore Trump’s intention to realign health priorities and address what he describes as a «Chronic Health Crisis» in the United States. By choosing figures with strong ties to health advocacy and policy reform, Trump signals a shift towards policies emphasizing transparency, competence, and disease prevention in the federal health system.