Nicole Saphier faces Senate hearing for surgeon general nomination

Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump’s third nominee for U.S. surgeon general, is scheduled for a Senate confirmation hearing before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. A radiologist and former Fox News contributor, Saphier currently serves as the director of breast imaging at a New Jersey branch of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Saphier follows previous nominees Dr. Casey Means, whose path stalled in the Senate, and Janette Nesheiwat, who was withdrawn following questions regarding academic credentials. During her hearing, lawmakers are expected to scrutinize her views on public health, specifically regarding vaccination. While Saphier has expressed skepticism regarding certain vaccine recommendations, such as the hepatitis B vaccine for infants, she has also occasionally disagreed with the Trump administration and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on specific medical guidance.

Saphier’s background includes experience in the wellness industry, having started a supplement company and authored a book related to health optimization. She is expected to face questions regarding her alignment with Kennedy’s policies, particularly as the administration navigates contentious debates over vaccine guidance and autism research.