Trump’s surgeon general pick raises questions—what’s being asked and why
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When a nominee is tapped for one of the most visible roles in American public health, it naturally draws public attention.
The US Surgeon General serves not only as a health advisor to the president, but also as a trusted communicator to the public—especially during national crises.
President Trump’s selection of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family medicine physician and frequent television contributor, has prompted interest and questions from both lawmakers and the public.
Dr. Nesheiwat has publicly described herself as double board-certified, with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine—a description that was also echoed in the White House’s announcement of her nomination.
However, records reviewed by CBS News show that she earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, located in St. Maarten.
A spokesperson from the University of Arkansas confirmed that while Dr. Nesheiwat completed her residency at their family medicine program in Fayetteville, she did not receive her medical degree from the institution.
According to AUC, she was enrolled there from 2000 to 2006, which is longer than the standard four-year medical program.
The school noted that its curriculum typically includes two years of classroom training followed by two years of clinical rotations.
Her LinkedIn profile (a social media site) currently lists a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas, with no mention of AUC.
In past social media posts, she referenced attending "American University" and completing clinical training at St. Thomas & Guy Hospital in London.
However, she did not clarify that the school in question was not the similarly named institution in Washington, DC, which does not have a medical program.
The length of Dr. Nesheiwat’s enrollment at AUC has sparked discussion in light of wider concerns surrounding some Caribbean medical schools.
Critics argue that these schools are sometimes viewed as an option for students who were not accepted into US programs, and that they have faced challenges with lower on-time graduation rates and federal oversight.
Senators Dick Durbin and Bill Cassidy have introduced legislation to address this issue, proposing to close a loophole that allows certain Caribbean schools to qualify for federal aid despite not meeting the same standards required of other foreign institutions.
"They don't have to meet the same high standards US medical schools must meet, but also don't have to meet the same requirements as schools located outside of the US to access hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding," Durbin said.
Supporters of Caribbean institutions, such as Robert Goldberg of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, argue that these schools help fill the physician gap in the US.
"In a perfect world, everyone would tell the truth and something like this to me is not an issue," Goldberg said. "Don't be afraid to talk about it. Maybe this will be a teachable moment for her."
Dr. Nesheiwat is frequently described as double board-certified, including on her website and in media appearances.
However, the American Board of Medical Specialties has only verified her certification in family medicine.
Her New York State Physician Profile also lists family medicine as her sole board certification.
Transparency in credentials is essential for the Surgeon General role, according to ethicists.
"The Surgeon General needs to be crystal clear and transparent about her background," said Dr. Arthur Caplan, a medical ethicist at NYU. "Being nervous about her background doesn't mean she should cover up her background."
Caplan added: "The surgeon general's job depends on trust and credibility. You don't actually control anything. You are a spokesperson and educator for the public. If you begin by not being totally transparent or making a false claim about your training it's a really bad start."
After completing her residency, Dr. Nesheiwat joined CityMD, an urgent care network in New York and New Jersey, where her role has been described in varying ways.
A CityMD COO told CBS News she is “an exceptional physician who truly stands out,” though her exact title was not clarified.
She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic through her appearances on Fox News, where she offered health commentary, supported the COVID vaccine, and later discontinued use of hydroxychloroquine after studies showed it was ineffective.
She also voiced criticism of lockdown measures.
Dr. Nesheiwat’s journey has been shaped by significant personal experiences.
Her family immigrated from Jordan in the 1950s, and she and her siblings were raised by their mother—a nurse—after experiencing a deeply traumatic incident during her childhood that resulted in her father’s death.
She later studied biology at the University of South Florida and joined the Army ROTC program, but according to the US Army Cadet Command, she was medically disenrolled before commissioning as an officer.
In her 2024 book, "Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine," Nesheiwat describes her training at the University of Arkansas, noting her service as chief resident, but does not mention her attendance at AUC.
If confirmed, Dr. Nesheiwat would oversee 6,000 officers in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and serve as a national voice for science-backed health guidance.
Some of her public views may contrast with those of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously suggested a link between vaccines and autism—something Nesheiwat explicitly rejects.
In her book, she wrote: "Science and rigorous testing have shown these vaccines to be safe and highly effective at suppressing disease. Leading to increased vaccine hesitancy has been the proliferation of poorly researched studies purporting to link vaccines to autism and other problems."
A date for her Senate confirmation hearing has not yet been announced but is expected to be scheduled soon.
Read next: President Trump revives something that involves millions—are you part of this comeback?
What are your thoughts on Dr. Nesheiwat’s nomination? Do credentials and transparency matter most in public health leadership? Have you followed past Surgeon General appointments? What qualities do you believe are essential for the role today? We’d love to hear from you—join the conversation in the comments below!
The US Surgeon General serves not only as a health advisor to the president, but also as a trusted communicator to the public—especially during national crises.
President Trump’s selection of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a family medicine physician and frequent television contributor, has prompted interest and questions from both lawmakers and the public.
Dr. Nesheiwat has publicly described herself as double board-certified, with a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine—a description that was also echoed in the White House’s announcement of her nomination.
However, records reviewed by CBS News show that she earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, located in St. Maarten.
A spokesperson from the University of Arkansas confirmed that while Dr. Nesheiwat completed her residency at their family medicine program in Fayetteville, she did not receive her medical degree from the institution.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, President Trump’s nominee for US Surgeon General, has built a career in urgent care and public health commentary. Image Source: YouTube / 5NEWS.
According to AUC, she was enrolled there from 2000 to 2006, which is longer than the standard four-year medical program.
The school noted that its curriculum typically includes two years of classroom training followed by two years of clinical rotations.
Her LinkedIn profile (a social media site) currently lists a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas, with no mention of AUC.
In past social media posts, she referenced attending "American University" and completing clinical training at St. Thomas & Guy Hospital in London.
However, she did not clarify that the school in question was not the similarly named institution in Washington, DC, which does not have a medical program.
Broader concerns about Caribbean medical schools
The length of Dr. Nesheiwat’s enrollment at AUC has sparked discussion in light of wider concerns surrounding some Caribbean medical schools.
Critics argue that these schools are sometimes viewed as an option for students who were not accepted into US programs, and that they have faced challenges with lower on-time graduation rates and federal oversight.
Senators Dick Durbin and Bill Cassidy have introduced legislation to address this issue, proposing to close a loophole that allows certain Caribbean schools to qualify for federal aid despite not meeting the same standards required of other foreign institutions.
"They don't have to meet the same high standards US medical schools must meet, but also don't have to meet the same requirements as schools located outside of the US to access hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding," Durbin said.
Supporters of Caribbean institutions, such as Robert Goldberg of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, argue that these schools help fill the physician gap in the US.
"In a perfect world, everyone would tell the truth and something like this to me is not an issue," Goldberg said. "Don't be afraid to talk about it. Maybe this will be a teachable moment for her."
Also read: Harvard risks billions by refusing Trump administration’s latest move
Certification and transparency
Dr. Nesheiwat is frequently described as double board-certified, including on her website and in media appearances.
However, the American Board of Medical Specialties has only verified her certification in family medicine.
Her New York State Physician Profile also lists family medicine as her sole board certification.
Transparency in credentials is essential for the Surgeon General role, according to ethicists.
"The Surgeon General needs to be crystal clear and transparent about her background," said Dr. Arthur Caplan, a medical ethicist at NYU. "Being nervous about her background doesn't mean she should cover up her background."
Caplan added: "The surgeon general's job depends on trust and credibility. You don't actually control anything. You are a spokesperson and educator for the public. If you begin by not being totally transparent or making a false claim about your training it's a really bad start."
Also read: Trump teases the possibility of another political decision–"I'm not done yet."
Professional background and public presence
After completing her residency, Dr. Nesheiwat joined CityMD, an urgent care network in New York and New Jersey, where her role has been described in varying ways.
A CityMD COO told CBS News she is “an exceptional physician who truly stands out,” though her exact title was not clarified.
She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic through her appearances on Fox News, where she offered health commentary, supported the COVID vaccine, and later discontinued use of hydroxychloroquine after studies showed it was ineffective.
She also voiced criticism of lockdown measures.
Also read: Judge finds probable cause to find the Trump administration in criminal contempt
Personal story and Senate confirmation ahead
Dr. Nesheiwat’s journey has been shaped by significant personal experiences.
Her family immigrated from Jordan in the 1950s, and she and her siblings were raised by their mother—a nurse—after experiencing a deeply traumatic incident during her childhood that resulted in her father’s death.
She later studied biology at the University of South Florida and joined the Army ROTC program, but according to the US Army Cadet Command, she was medically disenrolled before commissioning as an officer.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat shares her personal and professional journey in her 2024 book, Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine. Image Source: YouTube / @rbmedia1121.
In her 2024 book, "Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine," Nesheiwat describes her training at the University of Arkansas, noting her service as chief resident, but does not mention her attendance at AUC.
If confirmed, Dr. Nesheiwat would oversee 6,000 officers in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and serve as a national voice for science-backed health guidance.
Some of her public views may contrast with those of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously suggested a link between vaccines and autism—something Nesheiwat explicitly rejects.
In her book, she wrote: "Science and rigorous testing have shown these vaccines to be safe and highly effective at suppressing disease. Leading to increased vaccine hesitancy has been the proliferation of poorly researched studies purporting to link vaccines to autism and other problems."
A date for her Senate confirmation hearing has not yet been announced but is expected to be scheduled soon.
Read next: President Trump revives something that involves millions—are you part of this comeback?
What are your thoughts on Dr. Nesheiwat’s nomination? Do credentials and transparency matter most in public health leadership? Have you followed past Surgeon General appointments? What qualities do you believe are essential for the role today? We’d love to hear from you—join the conversation in the comments below!
