ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer and longtime ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as the next US surgeon general on Wednesday.

The announcement comes after Trump unexpectedly withdrew his previous nominee, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a former Fox News contributor.

It marks a surprising shift in the administration’s public health leadership as the president doubles down on his pledge to address chronic illness in America.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Means for her academic credentials and commitment to preventive health, describing her as having “impeccable MAHA credentials,” referencing his “Make America Healthy Again” slogan.

Calling her a key figure in advancing the administration’s efforts to combat chronic disease, Trump wrote: “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States history.”

Means is expected to work closely with Kennedy at the Department of Health and Human Services. Former nominee Nesheiwat, according to Trump, will remain in the administration and take on a different role within the department.

The surgeon general oversees the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a force of over 6,000 uniformed public health workers, and serves as a key voice in national health communication, despite having limited authority.