Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect had on Friday picked a family medicine doctor and Fox News contributor, Janette Nesheiwat to become surgeon general in a move that has yet again showed his preference for a television personality as the face of his incoming administration.
Trump had released a statement saying;
“Dr. Nesheiwat 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.”
Nesheiwat had treated patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, cared for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin tornadoes, and also worked for the Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief organization providing care in Morocco, Haiti and Poland, according to Trump.
While her track records are impressive, a lot of Americans will know her as a Fox News contributor who has talked about issues such as the mpox strain, the effects of alcohol and drug use, or natural disaster relief.
As at the time of Trump making the announcement, she was no longer a Fox News contributor, according to a spokesperson for the cable network.
Trump’s choice of selecting presidential appointments from Fox News programs is not shocking as he had done so in his first term from 2017 to 2021 and since being elected again on November 5.
Communication skills are important to the job’s role as health educator, providing information on how to improve health and lower the risk of illness.
The job title became a part of the American culture in 1965 when cigarette makers were mandated to label packages with the surgeon general’s warning that “smoking was liable to death”.
Nesheiwat’s appointment will require Senate confirmation before any further steps will be taken.
