Stephanie Haridopolos, a family physician who is married to Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.), has been appointed to temporarily carry out the duties of U.S. surgeon general as the Trump administration continues to seek Senate confirmation for its nominee.
The appointment comes through a delegation of authority from Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, who authorized Haridopolos to promote Office of the Surgeon General public health actions, advisories, and guidance until a permanent surgeon general is sworn in. Haridopolos currently serves as director of national communications, chief of staff, and senior adviser at the Office of the Surgeon General.
The position of surgeon general has remained unfilled since the start of Trump's second administration. Bloomberg first reported on the appointment based on an email HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent to staff.
Haridopolos previously led an effort in Florida to raise eligibility for subsidized coverage from 200 to 300 percent of the federal poverty level for children in Florida KidCare, a state health initiative. She told the University of South Florida that her own experience being born with an atrial septal defect, a hole in the chambers of her heart, informed her path into medicine.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic critics have raised concerns about appointing a congressman's spouse to carry out duties of a Cabinet-level position without Senate confirmation. Some health policy advocates argue the arrangement creates potential conflicts of interest and sets an unusual precedent for filling high-ranking public health roles through spousal delegation rather than traditional confirmation processes.
Progressive groups have noted that two previous Trump nominees, Janette Nesheiwat and Casey Means, failed to advance in the Senate, suggesting ongoing difficulty finding a candidate who can secure bipartisan support. Some Democratic senators have questioned whether the administration is prioritizing continuity of leadership or simply managing prolonged confirmation challenges.
The American Public Health Association and other organizations have called for expedited action on a permanent nominee, arguing that acting officials face limitations in fully representing the office's voice on national health priorities.
What the Right Is Saying
Administration officials point to Haridopolos's medical credentials as a family physician and her experience working on state-level health policy as qualifying her to carry out the duties of the office during the confirmation period. A HHS spokesperson stated she will promote OSG public health actions "on behalf of the American people" in the interim.
Republican supporters argue that using delegation authority for temporary continuity is a standard executive branch practice and not unprecedented. They note that Haridopolos has been serving in senior roles within the Office of the Surgeon General, making her familiar with ongoing operations and priorities.
The White House has pointed to its announcement of former Fox News contributor and radiologist Nicole Saphier as Trump's latest nominee for surgeon general, signaling continued effort to fill the post through regular order. Senate Republicans have expressed varying levels of support for the confirmation process moving forward.
What the Numbers Show
Two previous Trump nominees failed to advance in the Senate during this administration: Janette Nesheiwat withdrew from consideration and Casey Means's nomination was withdrawn by the White House after reportedly lacking sufficient votes to clear committee.
Stephanie Haridopolos has been employed at the Office of the Surgeon General since 2025, serving in dual roles as director of national communications and chief of staff. She practiced medicine for approximately two decades before entering health policy work at the state level in Florida.
The position of surgeon general holds the rank of assistant secretary for health and requires Senate confirmation. The office serves as the leading spokesperson on public health matters and commands the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
The Bottom Line
The appointment of a congressman's wife to serve temporarily as acting surgeon general highlights ongoing challenges the Trump administration has faced in confirming its preferred nominee for one of the nation's top public health posts. Haridopolos will now oversee Office of the Surgeon General operations while the Senate confirmation process plays out for Nicole Saphier, Trump's third nominee for the position.
The arrangement is expected to remain in place until a permanent surgeon general receives Senate advice and consent. Both chambers of Congress are likely to face continued questions about the confirmation timeline during upcoming health-related hearings.