Casey Means

Casey Means (born Paula Casey Means; September 24, 1987) is an American former physician, businesswoman, author and politician. She has been seen as one of the leaders of the Make America Healthy Again movement.

Means is known for her works about functional medicine, a form of alternative medicine. She co-founded the health company Levels. Means co-wrote Good Energy, a wellness book with her brother, Calley, in 2024.

In May 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Means as surgeon general, after he withdrew Janette Nesheiwat's nomination. 

 Early life 
Casey was born on September 24, 1987. She was raised in Washington, D.C.. Her father, Grady Means, worked as an assistant to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. Means graduated with a bachelor's degree from Stanford University before earning a Doctor of Medicine degree from Stanford Medical School.

After medical school, she started a residency in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of Oregon Health and Science University. Six months before the end of the five year program, she dropped out of her surgical residency, having become a critic of the healthcare in the United States.

Career
In 2019, she co-founded the digital health company Levels Health. Casey and Calley Means wrote the 2024 book Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health. Means stopped treating patients, and her medical license became inactive in January 2024.

2024 presidential election
In October 2024, it was reported that she was seen as a possible candidate to lead the Food and Drug Administration under a second Trump administration. During the 2024 presidential election, Means was active in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign and supported his Make America Healthy Again platform.

After Trump was elected and Kennedy Jr. was nominated for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy Jr. had asked Trump to think about nominating Means for surgeon general or FDA commissioner.

U.S. Surgeon General
On May 7, 2025, the Trump administration withdrew Janette Nesheiwat's nomination as surgeon general. Hours later, Trump announced that he would nominate Means as surgeon general. Trump said he did not know Means but nominated her because Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. recommended her for the job.

References

Other websites
 Official website

Category:1987 births
Category:Living people
Category:American physicians
Category:Writers from Washington, D.C.
Category:Politicians from Washington, D.C.
Category:Businesspeople from Washington, D.C.
Category:American political activists
Category:Writers from Portland, Oregon
Category:Politicians from Portland, Oregon
Category:Businesspeople from Portland, Oregon