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A White House official said Biden chose Dr Kevin O’Connor to replace Dr Sean Conley as doctor. It is not uncommon for a president to appoint his own doctor when he takes office, although his two most recent predecessors each retained the titular doctor who had treated the men who had served before them.
Conley sparked controversy in the fall when he admitted to offering upbeat descriptions of Trump’s state because the White House wanted to project optimism. In fact, Trump suffered from serious conditions like shortness of breath that required supplemental oxygen.
Biden has a long history with O’Connor, who served as his physician as well as being vice president. He is a retired United States Army Colonel who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment and the United States Army Special Operations Command.
He administered Biden’s physique in 2019 and prepared a report that deemed the then-candidate “healthy” and “vigorous.” At 78, Biden is the oldest newly inaugurated president in history.
A White House doctor is responsible for the medical care of the President, the First Family, and White House staff. They oversee a team of doctors and nurses who make up the White House medical unit, headquartered on the ground floor of the White House.
White House medics travel wherever the president does, including aboard the Marine One helicopter and aboard Air Force One. They are often seen walking a few steps behind the President, carrying a large medical suitcase. They also traditionally perform an annual physical exam and provide a summary to reporters.
O’Connor and Conley both hold degrees in Osteopathic Medicine, one of two degrees in the United States with which physicians can practice medicine – either as MDs or in Osteopathic Medicine. About a quarter of American medical students train in osteopathic medical schools, according to the American Medical Association. Historically, osteopathic medicine programs have touted their methods as “more holistic.”
Conley came under scrutiny during Trump’s fight against the coronavirus in the fall. He supervised a team of specialists at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump was treated.
At first, he did not disclose that the president had received extra oxygen and defended the decision saying he wanted to “reflect the optimistic attitude of the team”.
“I didn’t want to give out any information that might point the course of the disease in another direction, and in doing so it appeared that we were trying to hide something,” Conley said.
On Wednesday, Conley was seen leaving the White House alongside Trump, who was on one final trip to Florida before his term expired.
This story has been updated with additional background information.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report.
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