In a surprising move, President Trump has nominated Dr. Casey Means, a holistic medicine doctor and wellness influencer from Los Angeles, for the role of U.S. Surgeon General. This decision is seen as an effort to challenge traditional medical practices and long-standing federal health policies. In his announcement on Truth Social, Trump characterized Means, a 37-year-old graduate of Stanford Medical School and author, as aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mission to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Trump stated, “Casey has impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans.” This statement underscores the administration's focus on alternative health solutions rather than conventional medical practices.
Despite her impressive academic background, questions have arisen regarding Means' qualifications. Although she graduated from medical school, she is not an active physician and is not currently authorized to practice medicine. After nearly four and a half years into a five-year residency at Oregon Health & Science University to become a head and neck surgeon, she dropped out, citing a desire to address the flaws in the healthcare system rather than participate in it. “During my training as a surgeon, I saw how broken and exploitative the healthcare system is and left to focus on how to keep people out of the operating room,” she stated on her website.
Some of Means’ acquaintances have expressed skepticism about her alignment with Kennedy’s views. Robert Lustig, a professor emeritus of pediatrics at UC San Francisco and a friend of Means, commented on her reluctance to fully embrace Kennedy’s controversial positions on vaccines and public health. “What’s surprising to me is that she wanted the job, because she had difficulties adopting RFK’s full portfolio,” he stated. Lustig noted that Means had previously expressed discomfort with some of Kennedy's views, which raises questions about her current nomination.
Despite the controversies, Means has made headlines for her vocal stance on vaccine safety, raising concerns about the current vaccination schedule and its implications for children's health. In an October newsletter, she linked the growing evidence of adverse effects to the increased vaccine schedule and called for further investigation. “There is growing evidence that the total burden of the current extreme and growing vaccine schedule is causing health declines in vulnerable children,” she wrote.
Recently, Means relocated to Hawaii, citing concerns over environmental factors following the L.A.-area wildfires. According to Lustig, she expressed a desire to start a family and did not indicate any interest in working with Kennedy at that time. “If you’re an employee, you have to take the whole portfolio. You don’t get to choose parts of it, and she was uncomfortable,” he said.
The U.S. Surgeon General, often referred to as “the nation’s doctor,” is tasked with providing the public with the best health advice, issuing advisories and reports based on scientific evidence. Lustig believes that Means could bring a refreshing perspective to the role, emphasizing the need for dietary changes to combat chronic diseases. “Here’s the problem: We have an epidemic of chronic disease and there are no medicines that fix any of these diseases,” Lustig said. “They’re fixable by food.”
Dr. Means’ unorthodox approach to health stands in stark contrast to President Trump's well-known dietary habits. Her website features healthful foods like broccoli and almonds, and her social media showcases vibrant, nutritious meals. Raised in Washington, D.C., to Republican parents, Means holds a bachelor’s degree in human biology with honors from Stanford and earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 2014. However, her departure from conventional medicine was influenced by a personal tragedy—her mother’s death from pancreatic cancer—which she attributes to oversight in the healthcare system.
Means co-founded Levels Health in 2019, focusing on optimizing health through continuous glucose monitoring. Her recent rise to fame, especially among conservative circles, highlights her growing influence in health discussions. She has appeared at various “Make America Healthy Again” events and emphasized the need for systemic change in the healthcare landscape. As public reactions to her nomination unfold, it remains to be seen how her unconventional views will shape the future of public health under Trump’s administration.
As the nation awaits further developments, the selection of Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General represents a significant pivot in U.S. health policy, one that prioritizes alternative medicine and holistic approaches over traditional practices.
