Casey Means Set to Testify for Surgeon General Confirmation Amid Controversies

Thu Oct 30 2025 17:46:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Stanford-educated wellness influencer Casey Means will appear before the Senate health committee as she seeks confirmation to become the next U.S. Surgeon General, advocating for a focus on chronic disease prevention and the promotion of healthier lifestyles.

Casey Means, a physician and wellness influencer, is scheduled to testify virtually before the Senate health committee for her surgeon general confirmation. The 38-year-old aims to shift the healthcare focus towards preventive measures targeting chronic diseases. However, she faces scrutiny regarding her qualifications, potential conflicts of interest, and past promotional activities for health products. If confirmed, she would represent an administration advocating for transparency and reform in public health policies.

NEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Casey Means, a prominent health influencer with a background in traditional medicine, is preparing for her confirmation hearing before the Senate health committee to become the next U.S. Surgeon General. Means, who became widely recognized for advocating wellness through innovative health solutions, aims to share her vision of addressing chronic diseases by targeting their root causes.

At 38, Means, who is currently pregnant, seeks to align her strategies with the Make America Healthy Again initiative championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Among her proposals is a shift towards preventive healthcare, focusing on nutrition and lifestyle changes.

However, her journey has not been without controversy. Critics question her qualifications, pointing out that her medical license is inactive and she lacks formal government experience. Notably, after completing her medical education at Stanford University, she left her surgical residency at Oregon Health and Science University in 2018, citing disillusionment with the healthcare system as the reason for her departure.

Should she be confirmed, Means will oversee approximately 6,000 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Corps. Her role would involve issuing public health advisories and promoting health initiatives aligned with Kennedy’s agenda, including improved nutritional standards in federal programs and increased scrutiny of food and chemical safety.

In addition, Means has been scrutinized for her financial ties to various health and wellness products, leading to concerns about conflicts of interest. An investigation revealed that she at times failed to disclose her potential profits when promoting these products, an issue she has pledged to address should she take office. She has committed to divesting stocks in companies associated with her health initiatives to prevent any conflicts once she assumes her role.

Despite navigating these challenges, Means emphasizes her commitment to transforming health discourse in America, advocating for a system that prioritizes preventive measures and addresses the underlying causes of health issues rather than merely treating symptoms.