A Trump Nominee for Surgeon General Sparks Alarm Amidst Medical Experts and Critics Alike
Casey Means, a wellness influencer, author, and entrepreneur, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to become the country's next Surgeon General. Her appointment has ignited widespread concern among medical experts, who question her qualifications, track record, and potential influence on public health policy.
The controversy surrounding Means' nomination began when she was first announced as Trump's pick in May, replacing Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a Fox News contributor who faced backlash from Republicans over her support for vaccination and masking during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as scrutiny over her educational background.
Means attended medical school but dropped out of her surgical residency with just months left to complete, citing disillusionment with traditional medicine. Trump praised her nomination, touting her "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials," a reference to the "Make America Healthy Again" movement. Critics, however, point to her lack of experience and her advocacy for unproven medical practices.
Dr. Ryan Marino, a board-certified physician and associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, expressed concerns about Means' background, including her anti-vaccine sentiments and promotion of "functional medicine," which he described as "unproven and disproven practices." He warned that if confirmed, Means could use the Surgeon General's office to promote questionable products and theories.
Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, echoed Marino's concerns. He worried that Means' nomination could lead to the promotion of alternative medicine ideas with little scientific backing, which could have a significant impact on public health. "The only thing she practices is grift," Lurie said, referring to Means' self-promotional activities.
Means' financial ties to supplement companies and medical device manufacturers also raise eyebrows. Her brother Calley Means has advised Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which could expand his influence over U.S. public health infrastructure.
Critics fear that if confirmed, Means would use her platform to promote organic produce as a panacea for various health issues. Emily Bass, director of Federal Policy, Food and Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute, argued that such a shift towards an all-organic food system is impractical from a food supply standpoint and could lead to higher prices and environmental degradation.
The debate surrounding Means' nomination serves as a reminder of the importance of evidence-based medicine and the need for experts in public health to prioritize scientific rigor over ideological or commercial agendas. As the country navigates the complexities of public health, it is crucial that those leading the charge are equipped with the knowledge, expertise, and commitment necessary to make informed decisions.
Casey Means, a wellness influencer, author, and entrepreneur, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to become the country's next Surgeon General. Her appointment has ignited widespread concern among medical experts, who question her qualifications, track record, and potential influence on public health policy.
The controversy surrounding Means' nomination began when she was first announced as Trump's pick in May, replacing Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a Fox News contributor who faced backlash from Republicans over her support for vaccination and masking during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as scrutiny over her educational background.
Means attended medical school but dropped out of her surgical residency with just months left to complete, citing disillusionment with traditional medicine. Trump praised her nomination, touting her "impeccable 'MAHA' credentials," a reference to the "Make America Healthy Again" movement. Critics, however, point to her lack of experience and her advocacy for unproven medical practices.
Dr. Ryan Marino, a board-certified physician and associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, expressed concerns about Means' background, including her anti-vaccine sentiments and promotion of "functional medicine," which he described as "unproven and disproven practices." He warned that if confirmed, Means could use the Surgeon General's office to promote questionable products and theories.
Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, echoed Marino's concerns. He worried that Means' nomination could lead to the promotion of alternative medicine ideas with little scientific backing, which could have a significant impact on public health. "The only thing she practices is grift," Lurie said, referring to Means' self-promotional activities.
Means' financial ties to supplement companies and medical device manufacturers also raise eyebrows. Her brother Calley Means has advised Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which could expand his influence over U.S. public health infrastructure.
Critics fear that if confirmed, Means would use her platform to promote organic produce as a panacea for various health issues. Emily Bass, director of Federal Policy, Food and Agriculture at the Breakthrough Institute, argued that such a shift towards an all-organic food system is impractical from a food supply standpoint and could lead to higher prices and environmental degradation.
The debate surrounding Means' nomination serves as a reminder of the importance of evidence-based medicine and the need for experts in public health to prioritize scientific rigor over ideological or commercial agendas. As the country navigates the complexities of public health, it is crucial that those leading the charge are equipped with the knowledge, expertise, and commitment necessary to make informed decisions.
. Casey Means' lack of medical experience and anti-vaccine sentiments are alarming. As a wellness influencer, her track record is more focused on promoting herself rather than evidence-based medicine. It's worrying that someone with such a background would be leading public health initiatives. I also think it's interesting how her financial ties to supplement companies could influence her decisions. 
The debate highlights the importance of experts prioritizing scientific rigor over commercial or ideological agendas. We need people in positions of power who understand the evidence behind healthcare policies, not those pushing unproven theories. 
. I mean, she dropped out of med school and didn't even finish her residency 
. And now we're worried about her promoting unproven medical practices? Like, what's next? 
Her background is super sketchy, especially with those supplement company ties 
. I'm all for holistic approaches to health, but not when it comes from someone with no actual medical expertise 
. And have you seen the comments from Dr. Ryan Marino and Peter Lurie? They're totally on point 
. We need experts in public health making informed decisions, not some wellness guru trying to cash in 
.
this nomination thingy got me thinking... like what's the deal with this Casey Means chick? 
she's all about wellness and stuff, but I'm not convinced. I mean, dropping out of surgical residency just because she was disillusioned? 
that's not exactly a ringing endorsement for her qualifications. And don't even get me started on her ties to supplement companies... it reeks of conflict of interest in my book. 
. it's like, we can't have someone promoting unproven medical practices and trying to push their own agenda on us 
. and let's not forget about the financial ties she has with supplement companies - that's just shady 
... she's got no medical skills whatsoever 
... I mean, dropping out of med school and everything 
And let's be real, the fact that she's got financial ties to supplement companies could actually lead to some really innovative solutions! 
! I mean, Casey Means has some sketchy credentials at best... She dropped out of med school and didn't even finish her surgical residency? That's not exactly what you'd call 'impeccable' experience 
. And don't even get me started on her anti-vaxx views and promotion of #functionalmedicine which is basically just a bunch of unproven pseudoscience 
. We need someone at the Surgeon General's office who actually knows what they're doing, not some # wellness influencer with a Twitter following 
. It's time to stand up against this #nominationfail and demand better for our public health infrastructure 