WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is in for some poking and prodding as doctors assess whether his “incredibly good genes” continue to serve him well.
Trump was traveling to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington on Friday for a follow-up to his first annual medical checkup as president.
His personal physician declared him to be in “excellent health” in January 2018 after a battery of tests on his heart, lungs, gastrointestinal system and other areas.
Dr. Ronny Jackson, a Navy rear admiral, then presided over an extraordinary White House news conference in which he said of Trump: “He has incredibly good genes, and it’s just the way God made him.”
Jackson, then the president’s personal physician, also predicted that Trump, who doesn’t drink alcohol or smoke, will make it through his presidency with no serious medical issues.
The exam will be overseen by Sean Conley, a Navy veteran and doctor of osteopathic medicine who is now the physician to the president.
Jackson oversaw Trump’s January 2018 exam after having done the same for President Barack Obama.
The personal physician coordinates a team of doctors who rigorously examine the president. Jackson said 12 “consultants” were involved last year.
Jackson was replaced last year after Trump nominated him to lead the Veterans Affairs Department.
Questions immediately arose about Jackson’s qualifications to run government’s second-largest bureaucracy.
He had no significant management experience. Anonymous allegations also surfaced from current and former colleagues accusing Jackson of professional misconduct, including loosely dispensing medications and on-the-job drunkenness.
Jackson denied the allegations but eventually withdrew his nomination. The Pentagon continues to investigate the allegations. /gsg