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Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, nominated by President Trump to be the U.S. surgeon general, presents herself as a double board-certified physician with a degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. These credentials were highlighted during the president’s announcement, but investigations suggest discrepancies in her educational background.
In reality, Dr. Nesheiwat obtained her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine in St. Maarten, as confirmed by documents reviewed by CBS News. While she did complete her residency in family medicine at the University of Arkansas, she did not earn her medical degree there.
Dr. Nesheiwat has yet to appear before the Senate’s health committee for her confirmation hearing, where she will likely face inquiries regarding her qualifications. The role of the U.S. surgeon general is pivotal in steering national public health discussions, tackling issues from the risks of cigarette smoking to the impacts of gun violence and societal loneliness.
On her LinkedIn profile, she inaccurately states that her medical degree is from the University of Arkansas while neglecting to mention her true alma mater, AUC. Additionally, she has previously referenced “American University” in social media contexts without clarifying that it is not affiliated with the similarly named institution in Washington, D.C., which lacks a medical school. In various posts, she has mentioned studying in London at St. Thomas & Guy’s Hospital, a claim that CBS News found unverified despite attempts to gather additional information.
The AUC’s medical program typically spans four years, with the initial two years primarily focused on classroom instruction in St. Maarten, followed by clinical rotations. Dr. Nesheiwat was at AUC for six years, from 2000 to 2006, a fact that raises broader questions about Caribbean medical schools, which are often viewed skeptically as venues of last resort for students who do not qualify for institutions in the United States. Many graduates, along with the institutions themselves, refute these assumptions.
Legislators, including Senators Dick Durbin and Bill Cassidy, have repeatedly introduced measures aimed at addressing regulatory gaps allowing certain Caribbean medical schools to maintain federal funding despite having lower graduation rates. According to Durbin’s office, students at these schools frequently take longer to complete their education, resulting in increased debt and challenges in securing residency slots.
Durbin noted the discrepancy in standards, stating, “They don’t have to meet the same high standards U.S. medical schools must meet, but also don’t have to meet the same requirements as schools located outside of the U.S. to access hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding.”
Conversely, some advocate for these schools, arguing they help mitigate the physician shortage in the U.S. Robert Goldberg, the founder of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, suggested that transparent discussions about such topics could serve to educate the public better. He expressed an expectation that Nesheiwat could use this situation as an opportunity for learning and growth.
Questions surrounding her certifications have also emerged. Although frequently identified as double board-certified, Nesheiwat’s credentials have not faced challenge during her media engagements. CBS News was only able to confirm her board certification in family medicine through available documentation, including her Physician Profile for New York State, which lists just the certification in family medicine. Furthermore, the American Board of Medical Specialties could only verify her certification in that same discipline.
CBS News attempted to reach Dr. Nesheiwat and the White House for additional insights but received no reply. Medical ethicist Dr. Arthur Caplan emphasized the importance of trust and credibility for the surgeon general role, advocating for full transparency about her qualifications. He expressed concern that if her initial claims are found lacking, it could hinder her effectiveness in the position.
In her autobiographical book, “Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine,” Dr. Nesheiwat does not mention her formative years at the Caribbean institution but claims to have studied at the University of South Florida and completed her medical training at the University of Arkansas, where she reportedly served as chief resident.
Dr. Nesheiwat’s journey has been marked by personal challenges, including a tragic incident in her youth where she accidentally shot her father. Her family’s migration from Jordan to the U.S. during the political turmoil of the 1950s lays the groundwork for her narrative of resilience.
Post-residency, she worked with CityMD, an urgent care provider in the New York area, although her precise role remains somewhat ambiguous amidst varying descriptions of her titles in public forums. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she gained notable media visibility as a Fox News contributor, providing health guidance based on her clinical experiences. Despite her initial prescription of hydroxychloroquine based on emerging claims, she later retracted that stance in light of subsequent studies disproving its effectiveness. While she acknowledges the benefits of the COVID vaccine, she has also criticized pandemic lockdown measures implemented by the Biden administration.
Dr. Nesheiwat’s family connections are notable; her sister Julia is a national security expert who held positions in the Obama administration and is married to former Congress member Mike Waltz, who presently serves as a national security adviser to President Trump.
Concerns regarding Nesheiwat’s educational representation were initially uncovered by independent journalist Anthony Clark in a Substack article.
If confirmed, Dr. Nesheiwat would oversee a team of 6,000 uniformed officers within the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, tasked with disseminating critical health information to the public. Her stances may come into conflict with those of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has publicly entertained unverified links between vaccines and autism, a concern Dr. Nesheiwat addresses directly in her published work. She has consistently emphasized the safety and efficacy of vaccines while highlighting the perils posed by misinformation.
As of now, a date for her Senate confirmation hearing is still to be announced, but reports suggest scheduling could occur in the near future.
Editor’s note: The information relating to the association between AUC and a London hospital has been removed following updates.
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