A White House official said Biden had dr. Kevin O’Connor selected dr. To replace Sean Conley as his doctor. It is not uncommon for a president to appoint his own physician at the time of taking office, although his two most recent predecessors each retained the current doctor who attended the men who served before them.
Conley caused controversy in the fall when he admitted that he offered rosy descriptions of Trump’s condition because the White House wanted optimism. In fact, Trump has had serious conditions such as shortness of breath that requires supplemental oxygen.
Biden has a long history with O’Connor, who served as his doctor as vice president. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Special Operations Command.
He administered Biden’s physical in 2019 and compiled a report that considered the then candidate ‘healthy’ and ‘vibrant’. At 78, Biden is the oldest newly inaugurated president in history.
A White House physician is responsible for the medical care of the President, the First Family, and White House staff. They oversee a team of doctors and nurses made up of the White House Medical Unit, headquartered on the ground floor of the White House.
White House doctors travel wherever the president does, including the Marine One helicopter and aboard Air Force One. It can often be seen that they walk a few steps behind the president and carry a large medical bag. They also traditionally perform a physical annual and provide a summary for reporters.
Both O’Connor and Conley have a degree in osteopathic medicine, one of two degrees in the United States that allow doctors to practice medicine – as a physician or as a physician in osteopathic medicine. About a quarter of American medical students practice at osteopathic medical schools, according to the American Medical Association. Historically, physicians for osteopathic medicine programs have viewed their methods as ‘more holistic’.
Conley investigated in the fall during Trump’s fight with coronavirus. He oversaw a team of specialists at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump was treated.
Initially, he did not disclose that the president had received supplemental oxygen, and defended the decision by saying he ‘wanted to reflect the positive attitude of the team’.
“I did not want to give any information that could steer the course of illness in another direction, and so it comes down to us trying to hide something,” Conley said.
On Wednesday, Conley was seen leaving the White House with Trump, who undertook one last trip to Florida before his term ended.
This story has been updated with additional background information.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report.