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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedSeptember 16, 2026Miami-Dade County

Dr. Nicole Saphier, Trump's nominee for surgeon general, testifies before the Senate health committee

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Nicole Saphier, faces a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday to address her background, qualifications, and positions on public health policies. Saphier is expected to answer lawmaker questions regarding vaccine guidance, her stance on federal health policies, and her financial holdings disclosed in recent ethics filings.

Confirmation HearingSurgeon GeneralPublic HealthVaccine PolicyEthics Disclosures
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Why It Matters

The determines who will lead national public health communication and shape federal health messaging regarding vaccines, chronic disease, and medical guidance.

Key Facts

  • Dr. Nicole Saphier is President Donald Trump's third nominee to serve as surgeon general.
  • Saphier's nomination follows the stalled path of Dr. Casey Means and the withdrawal of the first nominee, Janette Nesheiwat.
  • Saphier faces a confirmation hearing on Wednesday before the Senate health committee.
  • The surgeon general position carries limited policymaking power but acts as the nation's top communicator on public health.
  • Lawmakers are expected to question Saphier on vaccine policies and her alignment with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiatives.
  • Saphier is the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth and holds a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine.
  • Saphier has previously questioned whether every child needs the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
  • Saphier disagreed with Trump and Kennedy regarding cautions given to pregnant women taking Tylenol, calling them oversimplistic and patronizing.
  • An ethics filing dated Sept. 7 shows Saphier holds investments in healthcare, insurance, and processed food companies, as well as Philip Morris.
  • Saphier owns DropRx and Empower MD LLC, which produce concentrated liquid extracts, and states she will resign from them and divest from conflicting holdings if confirmed.
  • Chris Klomp, HHS chief counselor nominated for second-in-command, and Timothy Westlake, nominated for assistant secretary for mental health and substance use, are also facing lawmakers at the hearing.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationMemorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth“Institution where Saphier serves as director of breast imaging”PersonTimothy Westlake“Chief of staff at SAMHSA”PersonJanette Nesheiwat“First nominee for surgeon general”OrganizationCoca-Cola“Company held in Saphier's ethics filing”PersonRobert F. Kennedy Jr.“Health Secretary”OrganizationRoss University School of Medicine“Medical school attended by Saphier”OrganizationPhilip Morris“Company held in Saphier's ethics filing”OrganizationMayo Clinic“Institution where Saphier completed fellowships”PersonDr. Casey Means“Previous nominee for surgeon general”OrganizationEmpower MD LLC“Company that owns DropRx”OrganizationDropRx“Firm owned by Saphier that produces liquid extracts”PersonDonald Trump“President of the United States”PersonChris Klomp“Chief counselor of the Health and Human Services Department”OrganizationYum Brands“Company held in Saphier's ethics filing”PersonDr. Nicole Saphier“Trump's nominee to serve as surgeon general”OrganizationThe Hershey Co.“Company held in Saphier's ethics filing”