Former Surgeon General Challenges Means Nomination

Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams publicly challenged President Donald Trump's nominee for the position, Dr. Casey Means, on March 29, 2026, arguing that she lacks the necessary qualifications to lead the nation's public health efforts. The nomination, pending for nearly 11 months, has stalled in the Senate amid bipartisan concerns over Means' credentials and views on key health issues.

Means, a Stanford University medical school graduate, earned her degree but left her surgical residency program before completion to pursue functional medicine, which emphasizes lifestyle changes to address chronic illnesses. Her Oregon medical license is currently inactive, a status she attributes to not practicing patient care in recent years. She has built a career as an author and entrepreneur, co-founding a health technology company and writing the bestselling book "Good Energy," which focuses on metabolism and overall wellness. Supporters highlight her work in raising awareness about chronic disease prevention, including factors like diet, physical activity, and environmental exposures.

Adams, who served as Surgeon General during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021, expressed...