a
PHYSICIAN TO THE PRESIDENT
THE WHITE HOUSE
8 July 2024
MEMORANDUM FOR: KARINE JEAN-PIERRE
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND
‘WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY
FROM: KEVIN C. O'CONNOR, D.O., FAAFP
PHYSICIAN TO THE PRESIDENT
1 wanted to share with you background on why Dr. Kevin Cannard visited the White House.
To protect patient privacy for the thousandsofpatientsofthe White House Medical Unit and the
physicians who treat them, normally we do not disclose the namesofthe specialists we work with.
However, in the interestsofaccuracy, I have obtained permission from the President and Dr.
‘Cannard to confirm the details | am sharing.
Dr. Cannardhasbeen the Neurology Consultant to the White House Medical Unit since 2012. He
‘was chosen for his breadthofexperience and expertise across the specialtyof Neurology. Prior to
his Movement Disorders fellowship at Emory University, he had practiced as a general neurologist
for six years. He is the longest serving Neurologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical
Center and in the Military Healthcare System. He has been a memberofthe faculty at the
Uniformed Services University’s medical school since 1991 and is core facultyofthe Neurology
Residency Program, He has numerous local and national teaching awards, and is highly regarded
for his clinical skills. These qualities make him a valued and versatile consultant to assess and treat
‘a wide varietyofconditions. Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, he has held regular
Neurology Clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in supportofthe thousandsofactive-duty
‘members assigned in supportofWhite House operations. Many military personnel experience
neurological issues related to their service, and Dr. Cannard regularly visits the WHMU as part of
this General Neurology practice. We value the contributions he has made across the many patients
he has treated in supportofthe White House and its personnel over these years.
As have written in each ofthe President's medical reports, as part ofthe President's annual
physical, hesees a teamofspecialists that have included Optometry, Dentistry, Orthopedics (Foot
and Ankle), Orthopedics (Spine), Physical Therapy, Neurology, Sleep Medicine, Cardiology,
Radiology, and Dermatology. Dr. Cannard was the neurological specialist that examined President
Biden for eachofhis annual physicals. His findings have been made public each time I have
released the resultsofthePresidentsannual physical. President Bidenhas not seen a neurologist
outside of his annual physical.
‘The resultsofthis year's exam were detailed in my February 28th letter: “An extremely detailed
neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with
any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s
or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signsofcervical myelopathy. This exam did again
supporta findingofperipheral neuropathy in both feet. No motor weakness was detected. He
exhibits no tremor, either at rest or with activity. He demonstrates excellent fine motor dexterity.
But a subtle difference in heat/cold sensation could be elicited as it was last year. This heat/cold
sensation deficit was detected a coupleof inches higher on hisankle/calfthis year, which is not
unexpected. There may; in fact, be day to day subjective variationofthese findings, as during last
year’s exam, this area ofsensation deficit was actually found to be smaller than the year before.”
Seeing patientsattheWhite House is something that Dr. Cannard has been doing for
a dozen years.
Dr. Cannard was chosen for this responsibility not because he is a movement disorder specialist, but
because he is a highly trainedand highly regarded neurologisthereat Walter Reed and across the.
Military Health System, with
a very wide expertise which makes him flexible to see a variety of
patients and problems.
Respectfully submitted,
yr
Kevin C. O'Connor, D.O., FAAFP
Physician to the President
‘The White House
Associate Professor, The George Washington University School of Medicine
& Health Sciences
