Trump's surgeon general pick touted as 'fierce' MAHA advocate before confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill, garnering support ahead of her upcoming confirmation hearing, with senators describing her as a "fierce" advocate for the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement.
Sources familiar with her confirmation hearing prep told Fox News Digital that Nesheiwat has had many "productive meetings" on Capitol Hill regarding her nomination.
Nesheiwat recently met with the staff for the Senate HELP Committee, along with all the health policy GOP staffers. Sources said those staffers have expressed support for her nomination as medical director in the Public Health Service and surgeon general. Nesheiwat also met with Democrat Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, along with Democrat Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
Sources told Fox News Digital that Blackburn is supportive of Nesheiwat. Details of Nesheiwat's meetings with Hickenlooper and Alsobrooks were not immediately clear.
The sources said various topics were discussed during those meetings, including fighting chronic illness, diseases, opioids, the mission of MAHA, vaccines, good nutrition, educating Americans with science-backed data, combating healthcare provider shortages, mental health, food deserts and the government's role in tracking health crises and emerging health threats.
Sources said the conversations have been "positive, productive conversations."
Nesheiwat has met, so far, with all the Republican senators on the Senate HELP Committee except for Sen. Josh Hawley.
A source told Fox News Digital that Sen. Katie Brit of Alabama, who is not on the committee, wants to meet with Nesheiwat in early May.
Nesheiwat, formerly a Fox News contributor, is double-board certified in family medicine and urgent care medicine.
Nesheiwat, a daughter of Jordanian immigrants, led frontline medical teams during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, along with her past work managing public health responses during flu epidemics, the opioid crisis, the monkeypox outbreak and other major health challenges.
She also was named the first female medical director for CityMD in Manhattan — one of America's largest urgent care systems.
Upon nominating Nesheiwat to the position, Trump said she is a "fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventative medicine and public health."
"I am proud to announce that Dr. Janette Nesheiwat will be the Nation's Doctor as the United States Surgeon General. Dr. Nesheiwat is a double board-certified Medical Doctor with an unwavering commitment to saving and treating thousands of American lives," he said. "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 praised Nesheiwat's work during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying she "worked on the front lines in New York City treating thousands of Americans and helped patients in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's Historic Operation Warp Speed that saved hundreds of millions of lives."
He also praised her "expertise and leadership" after New Orleans' Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin tornadoes.
The president said Nesheiwat "will play a pivotal role in MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!"
Meanwhile, after meeting with Nesheiwat, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy said Nesheiwat is "aware of the issues facing our nation and how they relate all the way down to counseling a patient in an exam room."
"A very good meeting," he said.
As for the MAHA movement led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Republicans say Nesheiwat represents the vision of the Trump administration. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., said Nesheiwat "understands the MAHA movement."
"With the Trump admin, American health is no longer taking a back seat," Banks said.
Additionally, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said that "Making America Healthy Again starts with having strong leadership" within Health and Human Services.
"I know that @DoctorJanette, President Trump's nominee for Surgeon General, will be a fierce MAHA advocate and will work with @SecKennedy to increase transparency in our healthcare system," Tuberville said.
Nesheiwat began her medical education at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. She completed her initial curriculum at the school's Saint Maarten campus. She then went on to complete her clinical rotations at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Metropolitan State Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas Hospitals and Medway Maritime Hospital.
Nesheiwat completed her family medicine residence at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Area Health Education Center, and was elected chief resident during her final year.
In 2009, Nesheiwat achieved board certification in family medicine for the American Board of Family Medicine, and in 2020 achieved board certification in urgent care medicine with the American Board of Urgent Care Medicine.
Nesheiwat's hearing is set for May 8 at 10:00 a.m., when senators on the Senate HELP Committee, will question her ahead of her confirmation vote.
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