Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a prominent medical expert and Fox News contributor, is set to become the next Surgeon General of the United States. At 48, Dr. Nesheiwat’s appointment to this high-profile position as the nation’s top doctor has sparked widespread attention.
Known for her media appearances and insightful commentary on health matters, Dr. Nesheiwat’s journey into the medical field was deeply influenced by a personal tragedy. She has often shared how the loss of her father at a young age inspired her to pursue medicine.
However, a recent revelation by The New York Times has shed new light on a tragic incident from her childhood. At just 13 years old, Dr. Nesheiwat accidentally shot and killed her father, Ben Nesheiwat, in their Orlando, Florida home.
According to a 1990 police report, Dr. Nesheiwat was searching for a pair of scissors when she reached for a fishing tackle box on a shelf. As she opened it, the box tipped over, causing a loud noise. In that moment, she saw blood on her father’s ear and realized something had gone terribly wrong. The weapon, a .38-caliber handgun, was stored inside the box.
Ben Nesheiwat, 44, tragically died the following day from a gunshot wound to the head. The coroner ruled the death as an “accidental shooting.”
Dr. Nesheiwat later wrote in her memoir, Beyond The Stethoscope, about the profound impact her father’s death had on her life. While she reflected on the emotional toll of the loss, she did not address her direct involvement in the accident. In the memoir, she recalled, “When I was 13, I helplessly watched my dear father dying from an accident, as blood was spurting everywhere. I couldn’t save his life. This was the start of my personal journey to become a physician.”
Despite the tragic event in her past, Dr. Nesheiwat has built a successful career as a physician and a respected health commentator. Her upcoming role as Surgeon General is seen as a testament to her expertise, resilience, and dedication to the medical field.
