In a significant shakeup in the U.S. public health leadership, President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Casey Means—bestselling author, wellness entrepreneur, and vocal critic of pharmaceutical industry influence—as his new choice for Surgeon General. The move comes just days after Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Trump’s original pick, stepped aside following scrutiny over her medical credentials.
The nomination of Dr. Means marks a dramatic departure from conventional public health appointments. While she trained at Stanford Medical School and began a surgical residency at Oregon Health & Science University, she did not complete the program. Instead, she redirected her career toward functional medicine and founded Levels, a health tech company promoting continuous glucose monitoring and metabolic awareness among the public.
Trump announced the nomination on his Truth Social platform, stating that Dr. Means “will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans.”
A Controversial but Popular Wellness Voice
Dr. Casey Means has risen to prominence alongside her brother, Calley Means, particularly after the success of their co-authored book Good Energy. The work promotes the idea that America’s chronic disease epidemic stems largely from poor metabolic health driven by diet, lifestyle, and what the Means siblings describe as systemic corruption in government health institutions.
They have appeared extensively on podcasts and conservative health roundtables, decrying the outsized influence of both pharmaceutical and processed food companies. In Good Energy, Casey recounts her own journey through disillusionment with traditional medicine, arguing that physicians are trained to treat symptoms rather than prevent the root causes of illness—primarily poor diet, sedentary habits, and environmental toxins.
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The book and its message have gained significant traction among followers of the Trump-Kennedy “MAHA” (Make America Healthy Again) agenda, which aims to overhaul the American healthcare system from the inside out. As part of that vision, Secretary Kennedy has long pushed for more transparency at the FDA and CDC—agendas with which Dr. Means has publicly aligned herself.
Raising Eyebrows in the Medical Establishment
Despite her popularity in wellness and tech circles, Dr. Means’s appointment is already sparking debate. Critics have pointed to her vocal skepticism regarding some vaccines and the current U.S. immunization schedule, positions that are out of step with mainstream public health guidance. On her social media platforms and personal website, she has questioned the safety of certain pharmaceutical products and advocated for broader discussion around medical freedom and FDA reform.
Supporters, however, argue that her willingness to challenge orthodoxy is exactly what is needed. “We need a Surgeon General who isn’t afraid to speak the truth about why America is getting sicker, not healthier,” said one supporter on X (formerly Twitter), echoing sentiments common among her base.
Dr. Means has also participated in high-profile health discussions, including a 2024 roundtable hosted by Sen. Ron Johnson that featured other prominent Trump-aligned medical voices such as Dr. Marty Makary and Secretary Kennedy himself. These events have helped position her as a leading voice in the alternative health space that’s rapidly merging with the political right’s approach to healthcare reform.
Implications for the Trump Administration’s Health Strategy
Dr. Means’s nomination signals a clear commitment by the Trump administration to reframe the national health conversation away from traditional medical institutions and toward a more prevention-focused, personal-responsibility-centered model.
With Secretary Kennedy already spearheading efforts to reevaluate vaccine safety, FDA processes, and nutrition guidelines, the addition of Dr. Means as Surgeon General could further strengthen this policy shift. The administration appears to be doubling down on its message that the root of chronic illness lies not only in biology, but in a broken system of incentives.
Her background as a tech entrepreneur could also add an edge to future digital health initiatives. Through Levels, Dr. Means has promoted wearable technology as a tool for lifestyle optimization—an approach that may be reflected in future public health campaigns under her leadership.
What Comes Next
Dr. Means’s nomination must still be confirmed by the Senate, where it is likely to face tough scrutiny from Democrats and public health traditionalists. But given the strong support from the administration and the popularity of her health message among Trump’s base, many believe she has a strong chance of being confirmed.
Whether or not her appointment reshapes American health policy, it is already sparking renewed debate over what kind of leadership is needed to combat the nation’s chronic disease crisis.
