On May 7, 2025, Dr Casey Means Surgeon General was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the new U.S. Surgeon General. This move has sparked both excitement and controversy, as Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General is a figure well known for her unorthodox approach to health and wellness. While some see her as a much-needed disruptor in the field of public health, others have raised concerns about her qualifications and her non-traditional path in medicine. In this report, we’ll take an in-depth look at Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General‘s background, qualifications, health philosophy, accomplishments, and the criticisms against her—ultimately arguing why her approach might be exactly what’s needed to change the broken public health system.

The Controversy Over Dr Casey Means Surgeon General Nomination

Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General is a topic that has stirred considerable debate. As the new nominee, her approach stands out because of her non-traditional background in public health. Unlike past nominees who have primarily had extensive experience in clinical practice and public health policy, Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General‘s background in functional medicine and the wellness industry raises questions about whether she has the requisite experience for this high-profile position. Critics have pointed to her lack of public health administration experience as a major concern. However, her supporters argue that her unique qualifications in metabolic health, technology-driven health interventions, and preventive care make her a valuable asset in reshaping public health.

Her approach could bring new perspectives to tackling the public health crisis in the U.S., especially given the rising rates of chronic disease and the growing burden on healthcare systems. Whether Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General will be able to address the challenges of the current system remains to be seen, but her nomination certainly represents an opportunity for positive change.

Dr Casey Means Surgeon General’s Background and Qualifications

Dr Casey Means Surgeon General holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree in human biology from Stanford before moving on to earn her M.D. and pursuing residency in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Although she left the surgical residency just short of completion, Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General quickly pivoted to a career in functional medicine, a field focused on preventive care, lifestyle changes, and addressing the root causes of chronic disease.

Dr Casey Means Surgeon General has worked as a researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Stanford, and NYU, where she gained valuable experience in biomedical research. She has also served as a lecturer at Stanford University and is an associate editor for the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. Her work has focused on metabolic health, with an emphasis on diet, exercise, stress management, and preventive care.

In addition to her academic credentials, Dr Casey Means Surgeon General is a co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Levels Health, a health-tech startup that uses continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to help individuals track and optimize their metabolic health. This innovative company has gained attention and significant investment, making it a leader in the growing wellness technology sector. The technology offered by Levels Health aligns with Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General‘s belief that personalized data can empower individuals to make better health choices, ultimately preventing disease and improving overall well-being.

Dr Casey Means Surgeon General’s Focus on Metabolic Health and Preventive Care

At the core of Dr Casey Means Surgeon General‘s health philosophy is metabolic health, which she defines as the proper functioning of the body’s systems that regulate blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. She argues that insulin resistance and poor metabolic function are the root causes of a wide range of chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General’s mission is to empower individuals to take control of their health through personalized medicine, which includes using wearable technology like continuous glucose monitors to track real-time data on glucose levels. In her book Good Energy (2024), co-authored with her brother Calley Means, she discusses how lifestyle factors—such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management—impact metabolic function and contribute to chronic diseases.

Her approach focuses on prevention, rather than simply treating the symptoms of disease. Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General believes that the current healthcare system has failed to address the root causes of chronic diseases and that the public health system needs to shift toward more proactive measures. Through her work at Levels Health, she advocates for tracking and managing health data to make personalized adjustments in diet and lifestyle, allowing individuals to prevent or reverse conditions like insulin resistance, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

Criticisms of Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General and Debunking Them

Criticism 1: Lack of Traditional Public Health Experience
One of the most common criticisms leveled against Dr Casey Means Surgeon General is her lack of experience in public health administration. Critics argue that her background in functional medicine and the wellness industry does not provide the necessary experience to serve as the Surgeon General, a position traditionally held by those with deep roots in public health policy and government leadership.

• Debunking: While it’s true that Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General does not have the conventional public health experience, her expertise in functional medicine, metabolic health, and innovative health technologies brings a new, much-needed perspective to the table. The U.S. faces a public health crisis marked by rising rates of chronic diseases, and Dr Casey Means Surgeon General’s focus on prevention and wellness is directly aligned with the goals of the Surgeon General’s office—to improve public health and reduce disease burdens.

Criticism 2: Ties to the Wellness Industry
Some argue that Dr Casey Means Surgeon General’s involvement with wellness tech companies like Levels Health creates a conflict of interest. As a figure in the wellness industry, she has been labeled as a “wellness influencer”, which some critics view as a negative association with the field, often criticized for its lack of regulation.

• Debunking: Dr Casey Means Surgeon General’s role in the wellness industry is rooted in a genuine desire to address the underlying causes of chronic diseases, not just treat them. Unlike public health officials with ties to pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General advocates for lifestyle interventions—such as nutrition and exercise—which are crucial to long-term health. Her transparency about her business ventures provides accountability, and her work with Levels Health aims to empower individuals to make data-driven decisions about their health, not push unnecessary treatments.

Criticism 3: Skepticism About Vaccines
Dr Casey Means Surgeon General has expressed concerns about the cumulative effects of vaccines and called for more research on their safety. This has drawn strong reactions from public health experts, some of whom view her stance as undermining public health efforts.

• Debunking: While vaccines are a cornerstone of public health and safety, it’s important to acknowledge that vaccine safety is an area where ongoing research is needed, particularly regarding long-term effects. Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General’s skepticism is rooted in a desire for more evidence-based research, not an outright rejection of vaccines. Her stance calls for a transparent, data-driven approach, which aligns with her overall philosophy of empowering individuals through access to information and research.

The Need for Change in Public Health

Dr.Casey Means Surgeon General’s nomination represents an opportunity to fundamentally change the way we approach public health in the United States. The current system has been built on a reactive model, treating diseases after they occur rather than preventing them in the first place. Dr Casey Means Surgeon General’s focus on preventive health, metabolic function, and personal empowerment offers a potential solution to the growing chronic disease epidemic.

While her background and approach may be unconventional, the reality is that the traditional public health model has failed to address the root causes of the diseases that are killing millions of Americans. Dr. Casey Means Surgeon General may be the change agent needed to shift our healthcare system toward prevention and wellness. Only time will tell if she will be the transformative figure the U.S. needs, but her nomination signals the possibility of positive change in the public health space.

Sources:

1. Dr. Casey Means’ Biography and Career

2. Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means

3. Levels Health and its Role in Personalizing Metabolic Health