Growing up in the sprawling countryside of Washington, my family’s farmstead provided me the bedrock upon which I build my life. Living the rural life taught me the fundamental values of hard work, compassion, and the grit to always press on when faced with tough situations. These core learnings enabled me to become a first-generation college graduate in my family, eventually pursuing my passion to become a triage nurse. My ambition was simply to build a life that encapsulated my rendition of the American dream.
However, one dreadful day in April 2005, shattered my dream. A suicide bomber in Iraq attacked my husband, Scotty, leaving him in a world devoid of sight. Without any hesitation, I boarded a plane to Walter Reed Medical Center to tend to him in his time of dire need. It was there that I realized the responsibility thrust upon my shoulders—I had to fight for Scotty’s healthcare rights.
Through my personal experiences thrust into the folds of the government healthcare system, it dawned upon me that it was failing its benefactors. It was indifferent, its standards lethargic, and its promises unfulfilled. It led me to devote my life to stand up for our military and veterans who found themselves on the receiving end of inadequate care and neglected services.
Yesterday, I was merely a nurse on the humble soil of Washington state; today, I find myself advocating for humanitarian standards in the Washington, D.C. battlefield. My moment of reflection has made me appreciate the power that everyday Americans hold in upholding values that they deem integral to their lives. The potency of this power underlies the reason why the appointment of figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz is critical if we aspire to reconstruct a healthier America.
The future that 2025 and the subsequent term in office holds is largely contingent upon such appointments. It’s indisputable that both Dr. Oz and Kennedy Jr. are among the most impactful nominations within the transition. With Dr. Oz’s surgical wizardry cultivated over several years at Columbia University and Kennedy Jr.’s fruitful contribution to environmental science, both had been living their American dream until they decided to step up for their convictions and national pride.
They’ve intermixed their unique backgrounds with the current administration, embracing the challenge to rehabilitate our nation. This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of America—people from all walks of life uniting for the collective good. As America now stands at the juncture of a public health crisis, the administration has acknowledged the ever-increasing health concerns as a key focus for the subsequent term.
Back in 2019, the administration charted an action plan to confront and allocate funds to combat the spread of chronic diseases. It aimed to broaden the scope for Americans to seek potential remedies to their ailments. With the proposed appointment of RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we are committed to creating a task force of healthcare specialists working alongside Kennedy to assess the rise in chronic health disorders and children’s diseases in the past few decades.
This is an initiative that every American can rally behind. The American healthcare system is struggling with a peculiar dichotomy—having the world’s leading technology and healthcare professionals, yet being plagued with an obesity pandemic, mental health complexities, and chronic diseases. Our nation, sadly, is a world leader in these alarming statistics.
Much of the blame can be attributed to the industrialized, chemical-laden food that our families are forced to consume. These foods contain ingredients that other nations have wisely prohibited. It’s alarming to note that half of all Americans are burdened with at least one chronic health condition such as diabetes, obesity, or hypertension. More concerning, over forty percent of school-going children bear the brunt of a chronic illness.
As a mother and a healthcare professional, these unsettling figures trouble my sleep. The electorate voiced their concern in the 2024 election, and their mandate was unequivocal. They resoundingly supported the proposed national plan and the nominees capable of navigating through bureaucratic barriers, unnecessary diversions, and hindrances, all in the genuine service of the American population.
Robert Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Oz have spent their lives immersed in service to their fellow humans. I’m beyond excited that they can continue their impactful work within the walls of U.S. government. Having everyday individuals come together is the true strength of our nation, and focusing our collective efforts on battling these health crises will undeniably foster an improved healthcare infrastructure.