A Q&A session in the Oval Office came to an abrupt end on Friday after an 11-year-old girl fainted during the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Mehmet Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The girl, later identified as Philomena Oz, the granddaughter of Dr. Oz, collapsed just moments after the ceremony concluded. White House aides quickly responded, ushering reporters and photographers out of the room.
“Everybody out, please move… No photos!” a White House staffer could be heard saying on the press pool feed.
Dr. Oz Sworn In by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Despite the unexpected incident, the White House later confirmed that Philomena is safe and recovering. Dr. Oz, 64, was sworn in by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the moment was shared in a celebratory post on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the White House:
“Dr Oz has officially been sworn in as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by Robert F Kennedy, Jr in the Oval Office!”
Trump: “NO CUTS” to Medicare or Medicaid
During his remarks, President Donald Trump introduced Dr. Oz and stressed the administration’s stance on preserving key healthcare programs:
“As CMS Administrator, Dr. Oz will work tirelessly to strengthen and protect Medicare for our nation’s seniors & Medicaid… there will be NO CUTS.”
Dr. Oz Outlines His Vision
Taking the reins of one of the most powerful agencies in U.S. healthcare—overseeing a $1.7 trillion budget and serving more than 160 million Americans—Dr. Oz shared his vision:
“I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for their confidence… Great societies protect their most vulnerable… America is too great for small dreams, and I’m ready to work on the President’s agenda.”
The CMS now begins a new chapter under Dr. Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former television host, who has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again.”