President-elect Donald Trump nominated Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the next U.S. Surgeon General, describing her as “a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health” who is “committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare.”
Nesheiwat reportedly endured a personal tragedy in her youth that shaped her path toward a career in medicine. At the age of 13, she was involved in a devastating accident that resulted in the death of her father—a moment that profoundly influenced her life and professional ambitions.
According to a report from The New York Times, the incident occurred in February 1990 at the Nesheiwat family home in Umatilla, Florida. Young Janette was searching for scissors stored in a tackle box above her father’s bed when the box fell, causing a .380 caliber handgun inside to discharge. The bullet struck her sleeping father, fatally wounding him.
While Dr. Nesheiwat has previously spoken about the formative role her childhood experiences played in inspiring her medical career, this deeply personal and tragic event was not widely known until now. Friends and colleagues describe her as resilient, compassionate, and deeply committed to her work—qualities that have marked her medical career and fueled her dedication to public health.
Dr. Nesheiwat, a former CityMD medical director and Fox News contributor, has drawn attention for her strong support of COVID-19 measures, including vaccinations, masking protocols, and censorship of vaccine skeptics, which she called “necessary tools to protect public health.”
Her earlier stances alienated portions of Trump’s conservative base, who saw them as “government overreach and an infringement on personal liberties.” Recently, she has sought to rebuild trust among conservatives by criticizing the CDC for its “botched vaccine rollout” and acknowledging that “some policies were not in the best interest of all Americans, particularly our children.”
Despite her efforts, critics argue that her earlier positions reflect “a lack of judgment” and question “her suitability for a role requiring unwavering commitment to individual freedoms and medical ethics.”
Trump expressed confidence in her ability to advance his administration’s healthcare goals, vowing to “make America healthy again.” If confirmed, Dr. Nesheiwat will succeed Dr. Vivek Murthy and will focus on addressing critical public health issues, including chronic disease prevention, affordable care access, and preparedness for future health emergencies.
