Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, was shaped by a devastating family tragedy that occurred when she was just 13 years old, reported by the Daily Mail.
Dr. Nesheiwat, now a successful physician, has been selected to serve as the “nation’s top doctor” after Trump’s expected inauguration on January 20. However, her career in medicine was inspired by an incident she described as life-changing.
At 13 years old, Nesheiwat was searching for a pair of scissors on a shelf above her father’s bed. In doing so, she accidentally knocked over a fishing tackle box. Inside the box was a handgun, which fell, discharged, and struck her father, Ben Nesheiwat, in the head as he lay sleeping.
“Something fell out of it and there was a loud noise. I saw blood on my father’s ear,” she told police in 1990.
Her father, just 44 years old at the time, was rushed to the hospital but tragically passed away the following day. Police ruled the incident as an “accidental shooting,” as reported by The New York Times.
The tragedy left a lasting impact on Nesheiwat and inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. In her 2017 memoir, Beyond the Stethoscope, she shared how the event became a driving force in her life: “When I was 13 years old I helplessly watched my dear father dying from an accident as blood was spurting everywhere. I couldn’t save his life. This was the start of my personal journey in life to become a physician.”
Nesheiwat has spent the past 15 years working as an urgent care doctor for CityMD, a prominent for-profit chain of clinics in New York City. Her experience on the frontlines, particularly during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, has earned her widespread recognition.
On November 22, Donald Trump announced her nomination to replace current Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who notably declared gun violence a public health crisis. Praising Nesheiwat’s expertise, Trump stated: “Her expertise and leadership have been pivotal during some of the most challenging healthcare crises of our time.”
He also emphasized her commitment to healthcare during the pandemic, adding: “Dr. Nesheiwat will play a pivotal role in MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN.”
If confirmed, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat will take on the role of Surgeon General, carrying with her a deeply personal understanding of tragedy and a lifelong commitment to saving lives.