President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the United States' new Surgeon General. This decision has garnered massive attention due to a tragic incident from Dr. Nesheiwat's past. At the age of 13, she accidentally shot and killed her father, an event that profoundly influenced her life and career path.
Dr. Nesheiwat, now 48, is a well-known medical expert who frequently appears on Fox News. Her appointment comes as part of Trump's new administration, with her expected to be sworn in shortly after his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Despite the controversy surrounding her past, Dr. Nesheiwat's professional achievements and dedication to medicine have been widely recognized.
The incident occurred in Orlando, Florida, when Dr. Nesheiwat was a young teenager. According to a 1990 police report, she was in her father's bedroom early one morning, searching for a pair of scissors.
As she reached for a fishing tackle box on a shelf, it tipped over, causing a .38-caliber handgun stored inside to discharge. The bullet struck her father, Ben Nesheiwat, in the head, and he was declared dead the following day. The coroner ruled the death an accidental shooting.
In her memoir, "Beyond The Stethoscope," Dr. Nesheiwat reflects on this pivotal moment in her life, describing how the loss of her father inspired her to pursue a career in medicine.
She writes, "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." However, she does not explicitly mention her role in the accident within the memoir.
Dr. Nesheiwat credits her mother, Hayat, for raising her to be successful despite the family's tragedy. Her story is one of resilience and determination, as she overcame personal adversity to achieve her goals in the medical field.
President-elect Trump's choice of Dr. Nesheiwat is part of a series of unconventional appointments for his administration. Alongside her, he has selected Karoline Leavitt, 27, as the youngest-ever White House press secretary, and Scott Bessent, a gay billionaire, as Treasury Secretary.
Additionally, Pete Hegseth, chosen for Defense Secretary, faced allegations of sexual assault in 2017, which he denied and for which he was not charged.
Dr. Nesheiwat's appointment has sparked discussions about the impact of personal history on public service roles. While some critics question the decision, others argue that her experiences provide her with unique insights and empathy, qualities essential for the nation's top doctor.
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