Columnist Dr. Cheryl Christy

Author's note: This column is intended for educational purposes only. It aims to highlight gaps in health knowledge, provide support and empower organizations to guide their members in creating effective health and wellness programs.

The U.S. surgeon general is often described as “the nation’s doctor,” but that title can be misleading if you picture someone treating patients. This role is less about direct care and more about guiding the country’s health direction — what we pay attention to, what we understand and how we respond.

The surgeon general is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate to serve a four-year term. At the core, the surgeon general:

• Communicates health information to the public by translating complex medical and public health issues into plain language that people can act on.

• Issues advisories and reports, which are formal warnings on major health issues. These reports often shape the national health conversation.

• Sets public health priorities. While they do not make laws, they influence what federal agencies, health care systems and communities focus on.

• Serves as the top adviser to the assistant secretary for health and the secretary of Health and Human Services.

• Responds to crises by coordinating messaging, warning the public and supporting the deployment of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a uniformed group of health professionals used during emergencies, such as disasters and pandemics.

THE PRESIDENT’S NOMINEE FOR U.S. SURGEON GENERAL

Dr. Nicole Saphier is a board-certified radiologist and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her background combines traditional academic medicine with strong experience in media, policy and health advocacy. She holds a Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine and completed a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. Her work includes service on the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women and as an adviser to the New Jersey Department of Health. Dr. Saphier would bring a diagnostic, system-level view of disease and competence in translating complex health topics into plain language. She emphasizes early cancer detection, patient awareness and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Her willingness to challenge parts of the health system, such as public health messaging and institutional decision-making, signals a potential shift toward a more independent or alternative-toned voice in public health.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT EVERYDAY AMERICANS?

The influence is real, although not always direct. This person does not run hospitals, control insurance rates or coverage or set clinical guidelines. They shape the national and local conversation on important health issues via reports that drive school health programs, workplace wellness efforts, faith and civic group initiatives and local health department priorities. The ripple effect reaches right into Baldwin County and other similar communities.

This can translate into a focus on wellness, prevention and drivers of chronic disease, such as nutrition, lifestyle, inflammation and metabolic health. It determines how health problems are defined, such as disease treatment vs. root causes and individual responsibility vs. system failure. This affects public behavior by making specific health issues mainstream, credible and urgent.

While the role of the U.S. surgeon general is not to fix the health care system, they can set the tone and sound the alarm on the disconnect people feel. Developing trust in health care may be the single most important — and most fragile — challenge.

Dr. Cheryl Christy is a Baldwin County resident and registered nurse with nearly 30 years of experience. She holds master's degrees in nursing education and nursing practice and a doctorate in nursing practice. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Pi Chapter, a certified lay counselor and the author of "Voices for Healthcare," a health care blog.

Read her previous column titled "Our health care system – Where we are and how we got here" on www.GulfCoastMedia.com.