Wellness Influencer and RFK Jr. Ally Tapped to Lead Public Health Efforts in “Make America Healthy Again” Push

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the nomination of Dr. Casey Means, a Stanford-educated physician and wellness influencer, as the next U.S. Surgeon General, withdrawing his initial pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, just days before her scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. The move marks a significant shift in Trump’s health policy direction, aligning closely with the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Dr. Means, a co-founder of the health tech company Levels and a vocal advocate for metabolic health, is known for her ties to Kennedy and her brother, Calley Means, a White House adviser focused on food policy reform. The nomination comes amid a broader reshaping of Trump’s health leadership, following the withdrawal of other nominees, including Dave Weldon for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Chad Chronister for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“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 to reverse the chronic disease epidemic and ensure great health for all Americans,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding. Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History.”

The decision to pull Nesheiwat’s nomination followed intense scrutiny from conservative influencers, notably Laura Loomer, who questioned Nesheiwat’s medical credentials and her past support for COVID-19 vaccines and mask mandates. Reports confirmed Nesheiwat earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean, not the University of Arkansas as previously claimed, prompting accusations of misrepresentation.

Dr. Means, described by some as a practitioner of “functional medicine,” has garnered attention for her critiques of pharmaceutical interventions and her focus on nutrition-based health solutions. Her nomination has sparked both enthusiasm and skepticism. Supporters on X hailed her as “Big Pharma’s biggest nightmare,” citing her advocacy for addressing chronic diseases through lifestyle changes. Critics, however, raised concerns about her lack of a current medical license and her background as a wellness influencer, questioning her qualifications for the role of the nation’s top doctor.

As Surgeon General, Means would oversee the 6,000-member U.S. Public Health Service Corps and issue advisories on public health threats. Her role would also involve advancing Kennedy’s MAHA agenda, which includes removing additives from foods, addressing corporate influence in health policy, and promoting healthier nutrition programs.

The nomination requires Senate confirmation, with Means expected to submit financial disclosure and ethics paperwork before a hearing is scheduled. The move underscores Trump’s commitment to reshaping federal health agencies, though it has reignited debates within his base about the direction of his administration’s health policies.