On Friday, the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump revealed key appointments for public health leadership roles. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat has been selected as the US Surgeon General, Dr. Marty Makary as the commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Dr. Dave Weldon, a former congressman, as the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The position of director for the National Institutes of Health remains unfilled.
These appointments come despite growing concerns within the public health community over Trump’s reported plan to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known anti-vaccine advocate, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The nominees revealed during a Friday evening announcement help clarify the vision for the health sector under Kennedy’s leadership, should he be confirmed by the Senate.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat selected as US Surgeon General, bringing expertise in family medicine and public health
According to a source familiar with the selection process, Kennedy played a huge role in choosing key figures for these positions, including the FDA and CDC appointments. If these appointees are confirmed, they will report to Kennedy, who has emphasized the need to purge the department of corruption. Trump, during his campaign, expressed his intention to let Kennedy take a bold approach to health policy.
The US Surgeon General, often called “the nation’s doctor,” is responsible for advising the public on health matters and promoting public health education. This position involves issuing reports and advisories on critical health issues and overseeing the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The nominee must be confirmed by the Senate.
Dr. Nesheiwat, a family medicine practitioner and Fox News contributor, has earned certification from the American Board of Family Medicine. She graduated from medical school in St. Maarten and completed postgraduate training at the University of Arkansas.
Reflecting on the past, Nesheiwat praised the Trump administration’s handling of public health challenges, including the development of Operation Warp Speed, which played a major role in vaccine distribution.
As FDA commissioner, the appointed individual oversees the agency responsible for regulating medications, vaccines, medical devices, and food products. This role requires Senate confirmation and is traditionally filled by a medical doctor.
Dr. Makary, a surgeon and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, earned his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College and his public health degree from Harvard. He has been outspoken about the FDA’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, criticizing its slow response to antiviral drug approvals and vaccine policy.
Makary has been a vocal critic of the old guard in medical leadership, advocating for new voices in science and medicine. He has also been a paid contributor for Fox News during and after the pandemic, sharing his opinions on Covid-19 and vaccine policies.
The CDC director, a position soon to be subject to Senate confirmation, is tasked with leading the nation’s primary public health agency, managing disease prevention and vaccination recommendations. The director also administers the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Dr. Weldon, who holds a medical degree from SUNY-Buffalo and served in the Army, is a board-certified internal medicine physician. During his time in Congress, he worked on various health policy issues, including efforts to ensure vaccine safety.
He introduced legislation to create an agency within HHS focused on vaccine safety evaluation and led initiatives to remove harmful preservatives from childhood vaccines. Weldon also played a role in the legal efforts surrounding the case of Terri Schiavo, advocating for federal review of her persistent vegetative state.
