Physician to the President of the United States, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, released a letter attempting to explain Parkinson’s specialist Dr. Kevin Cannard’s numerous White House visitations.
The letter states that while the names of specialists usually remain undisclosed, O’Connor “obtained permission from the President and Dr. Cannard to confirm the details.”
“Dr. Cannard has been the Neurology Consultant to the White House Medical Unit since 2012. He was chosen for his breadth of experience and expertise across the specialty of Neurology. Prior to his Movement Disorders fellowship at Emory University, he had practiced as a general neurologist for six years,” the letter reads. “He is the longest serving Neurologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and in the Military Healthcare System. He has been a member of the faculty at the Uniformed Services University’s medical school since 1991 and is core faculty of the Neurology Residency Program. He has numerous local and national teaching awards, and is highly regarded for his clinical skills.”
This background makes Cannard a “valued and versatile consultant to assess and treat a wide variety of conditions,” the letter explains.
“Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, [Cannard] has held regular Neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations,” the letter continues. “Many military personnel experience neurological issues related to their service, and Dr. Canard regularly visits the WHMU as part of this General Neurology Practice.”
It adds that Biden sees a “team of specialists that have included Optometry, Dentistry, Orthopedics (Foot and Ankle), Orthopedics (Spine), Physical Therapy, Neurology, Sleep Medicine, Cardiology, Radiology, and Dermatology.”
Cannard was described in the letter as being the “neurological specialist that examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals.”
The letter goes on to quote the results of Biden’s latest physical exam: “An extremely detailed neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy. This exam did again support a finding of peripheral neuropathy in both feet. No motor weakness was detected. He exhibits no tremor, either at rest or with activity. He demonstrates excellent fine motor dexterity.”
O’Connor concluded that Cannard was “chosen for this responsibility not because he is a movement disorder specialist, but because he is a highly trained and highly regarded neurologist here at Walter Reed and across the Military Health System, with a very wide expertise which makes him flexible to see a variety of patients and problems.”
Former White House physician Rep. Dr. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) criticized the letter, saying it “does NOT explain the visit(s) to the Residence Clinic.”
“Believe me, the active duty people that work at the White House are not seen in that clinic. They are seen in the clinic in the Old Executive Office Building,” he wrote on social media. “TRY AGAIN DR. O’CONNOR!!”
