Nicole Saphier has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the next U.S. surgeon general. This comes after Casey Means withdrew her candidacy, which sparked controversies regarding vaccine views and medical qualifications.
Saphier is a breast radiologist and has served as a Fox News contributor since 2018. She is the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center-Monmouth. Additionally, she holds an associate professorship at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Trump praised Saphier, calling her a “STAR physician” who aids women facing breast cancer. He emphasized her commitment to increasing early cancer detection and prevention.
However, Saphier’s nomination raises eyebrows due to her history of vaccine skepticism. She has publicly questioned the necessity of the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns and criticized COVID vaccine booster requirements.
Previously, Casey Means faced significant opposition due to her lack of a current medical license and similar vaccine views. This context makes Saphier’s nomination particularly contentious.
Saphier holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados and completed a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. These credentials may bolster her case amid scrutiny over her public health positions.
The Trump administration has now nominated Saphier as its third candidate for surgeon general, indicating ongoing challenges in finding a suitable candidate amid controversies surrounding health policy.
As discussions unfold, experts will likely analyze how Saphier’s views on vaccines will influence public health strategies moving forward.