Trump’s surgeon general nominee to face Senate grilling

Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump’s third nominee to serve as surgeon general, will face lawmakers at her confirmation hearing Wednesday in the latest attempt to fill the post known as the nation’s doctor.

Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News Channel contributor, is Trump’s newest pick after entrepreneur and wellness influencer Dr. Casey Means saw her path forward stall in the Senate over her background and vaccine views. Trump withdrew his first nominee, Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat, after questions arose about her academic credentials.

Saphier will face questions from the Senate health committee for a position that carries limited policymaking power but a loud megaphone as the nation’s top communicator with Americans on public health issues.

While senators may scrutinize her credentials and background, Saphier will also be in the difficult position of navigating Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s more contentious policies, including his efforts to scale back vaccine guidance when measles outbreaks around the country are alarming the medical community. Lawmakers of both parties have criticized Kennedy’s stances and are likely to grill Saphier over whether she’ll more fiercely advocate vaccination if confirmed.

Saphier is director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth, according…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health