updated May 25, 2025
President-elect Trump has been busy appointing people to his cabinet and other key leadership positions. He has chosen Robert Kennedy, Jr. to serve in his cabinet as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. HHS is a vast department overseeing multiple areas of health and wellness with a $2.86 trillion budget for 2024.
I’m sharing an article by journalists Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa,
about three other appointees to key health positions.
Except for Kennedy, these appointees are physicians . I am not familiar with any of them. They appear to have well-established medical careers and solid credentials. I plan to explore their views more thoroughly after reading this article.
Trump unveils his lineup for FDA, CDC and surgeon general
Oklahoma Voice, November 25, 2024
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump will appoint three physicians for key government health roles.
Former Florida Congressman Dave Weldon will be tapped to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Marty Makary will be nominated for commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and Fox News medical contributor Dr. Janette Nesheiwat was put forward as the next Surgeon General.
All three positions require Senate confirmation.
Dr. Makary-Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices;
and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
FDA website
Trump wrote in his announcement for Makary that he would “work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to, among other things, properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and drugs and biologics being given to our Nation’s youth so that we can finally address the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic.”
Makary is a surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. His biography says he “has published over 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles and has served on several editorial boards.”
“Dr. Makary served in leadership at the World Health Organization Patient Safety Program and has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Clinically, Dr. Makary is the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins. He received the Nobility in Science Award from the National Pancreas Foundation and has been a visiting professor at over 25 medical schools.”
Makary wrote an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal in February 2021, sharing his prediction that the COVID-19 pandemic would mostly be over by April 2021.
“Some medical experts privately agreed with my prediction that there may be very little COVID-19 by April but suggested that I not talk publicly about herd immunity because people might become complacent and fail to take precautions or might decline the vaccine,” Makary wrote at the time.
“But scientists shouldn’t try to manipulate the public by hiding the truth. As we encourage everyone to get a vaccine, we also need to reopen schools and society to limit the damage of closures and prolonged isolation. Contingency planning for an open economy by April can deliver hope to those in despair and to those who have made large personal sacrifices.”
In prepared remarks to the House Select Subcommittee on the Covid Pandemic in May 2023, he wrote that
“Nothing speaks more to the intellectual dishonesty of public health leaders than their complete dismissal of natural immunity. They never talked about it.”
Trump wrote in his statement announcing Makary as his pick for FDA that he would “course-correct and refocus the Agency.”
Dr. Martin Adel Makary, was confirmed on March 25, 2025 by the U.S. Senate as the 27th Commissioner of Food and Drugs. In this role, Dr. Makary oversees the full breadth of the FDA portfolio and execution of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other applicable laws.Apr 8, 2025
credit James Gathany, public domain
Dr. Weldon-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.
CDC website
Weldon was instrumental in codifying into law the “Weldon Patent Ban,” which makes a permanent prohibition on patenting human embryos, something that Trump noted in his statement.
“Dave has successfully worked with the CDC to enact a ban on patents for human embryos,” Trump said in a statement.
In 2011, the ban was signed into law by former President Barack Obama in the America Invents Act, and made permanent after Weldon left Congress. His colleagues named it after him because of his advocacy on the issue.
“In addition to being a Medical Doctor for 40 years, and an Army Veteran, Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues,” Trump said in a statement.
Weldon, 71, served in Congress from 1995 until 2009, when he retired. He is a former physician and if confirmed by the Senate, will now head a roughly $17 billion agency that is tasked with responding to emerging health threats.
update
President Trump withdrew Dr.Weldon’s nomination.
As of May 21, 2025, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is Susan Monarez, PhD. She was nominated by President Trump in March 2025 and confirmed by the Senate in April 2025.
Dr. Neshwiwat-Surgeon General
The U.S. Surgeon General is the Nation’s Doctor, providing Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
The Surgeon General oversees the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, an elite group of over 6,000 uniformed officers who are public health professionals.
The USPHS mission is to protect, promote, and advance the health of our nation.
Trump wrote in his nomination for Nesheiwat that she “is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health.”
“She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives,” Trump added.
According to her biography, Nesheiwat graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and is a double board-certified medical doctor practicing in New York.
She “brings a refreshingly no-nonsense attitude to the latest medical news, breaking down everything you need to know to keep you- and your family- healthy at all times,” (her website).
Nesheiwat is the medical director at CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey.
update
As of May 25, 2025, Dr. Nesheiwat’s nomination has been withdrawn.
In her place is Dr.Casey Means. Dr. Means is a physician, health entrepreneur, and author who is known for her work on the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. She has also been a vocal critic of traditional medicine and has promoted alternative health treatments.
This story is republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and X.
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I look forward to your post regarding these appointees. I have to admit I’m pessimistic about RFK, Jr’s appointment. I think he will do more to damage our health and healthcare system than to help it. I wasn’t following you at the time of the pandemic as I wasn’t blogging then. What was your feeling/opinion on the vaccines as well as the idea of herd immunity naturally taking care of the virus?
Again, I always appreciate your take on the medical issues facing our country.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Happy New Year Marsha, I appreciate your interest in medical issues. During the pandemic I was disappointed that health became so politicized, maybe it always had been but I had been too busy to notice. I was appalled that scientists suggested we not try to control the virus and that so many people discounted and refused masks and the vaccine for political reasons. Playing with your own and others’ health just to make a point seemed irresponsible and selfish to me. So, that is my rant. I am cautious about Mr. Kennedy. I have followed his family my whole life, beginning with his uncle’s presidency and assasination. His family has a legacy of public service. Did you know his aunt, Eunice Shriver, started Special Olympics? Ultimately I think the actions of the heads of the agencies within HHS will have the most impact on our health and healthcare.
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