The US Senate has yet to confirm Calley Means, Donald Trump’s latest pick for surgeon general. The role is seen as a significant platform for the nation’s top doctor, but limited policy impact. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams questioned her medical credentials, citing that she left her surgical residency in its final year and pursued functional medicine.
Means defended her qualifications, citing work experience, speaking roles, and teaching on chronic disease. She also mentioned volunteering to inactive her Oregon medical license due to not seeing patients over the past several years. Her book, “Good Energy,” has become a key tome for Trump’s Make America Healthy Again movement.
The White House defended Means, calling her an inspirational voice for millions of Americans. However, Adams and others have criticized her stance on vaccines, questioning their value. The nomination process showcases how Trump’s administration differs in its second term from the first, with more emphasis on unconventional approaches to public health.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/03/29/trump-surgeon-general-means-adams