In a letter released late Monday night by the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, he confirmed that Dr. Kevin Cannard, the Parkinson’s expert who visited the White House eight times in an eight-month span, “was the neurological specialist that examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals.”
Canard’s visits to the White House don’t represent examinations of the president, according to O’Connor’s letter. Cannard is involved in a range of care for others beyond the president at the White House, O’Connor said in his note.
“Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, [Cannard] has held regular Neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations,” his letter reads. “Many military personnel experience neurological issues related to their service, and Dr. Canard regularly visits the WHMU as part of this General Neurology Practice.”
On the subject of Biden’s physical, O’Connor noted that “President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical.”
O’Connor also stressed that Biden’s last physical found no signs of Parkinson’s, which he detailed in a Feb. 28 letter.
While the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to confirm these details earlier Monday, citing privacy concerns, O’Connor said he “obtained permission from the President and Dr. Cannard to confirm the details I am sharing.”
O’Connor offered in his letter a full-throated endorsement of Dr. Cannard and his work as the Neurology Consultant to the White House since 2012.
“Dr. Cannard was chosen for this responsibility not because he is a movement disorder specialist, but because he is a highly trained and highly regarded neurologist here at Walter Red and across the Military Health System, with a very wide expertise which makes him flexible to see a variety of patients and problems,” he wrote.
As ABC News reported earlier on Monday, an expert in Parkinson’s disease visited the White House eight times over an eight-month span between last July and March of this year, including one visit with the president’s personal physician, according to White House visitor logs.
Asked repeatedly at Monday’s press briefing about Cannard, Jean-Pierre refused to say if the neurologist ever treated the president or consulted on his care, citing privacy concerns, but did say Biden was not being treated for Parkinson’s disease.
“You’re refusing to say if he was here to evaluate the president or if he was consulting on the president’s health. So, what then was that meeting about?” ABC News asked.
Jean-Pierre said she would not elaborate on the meeting “because we will not confirm or speak to names that you’re providing to me. It is out of security.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a daily news briefing at the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on July 08, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
As part of his annual physical exam, the president was evaluated by a neurologist who found no signs of Parkinson’s, according to a summary O’Connor released in February.
“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 signs of cervical myelopathy,” his report states.
Overall, the February report stated Biden, 81, continued to be “fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”
Recently, there has been speculation surrounding the visits of a Parkinson’s expert to the White House, prompting questions about the health of President Joe Biden. However, White House doctor, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, has provided an explanation for these visits that aims to clarify any concerns.
Dr. O’Connor has stated that the visits from the Parkinson’s expert are part of a routine check-up for President Biden, who has a family history of the disease. The expert is brought in to provide specialized insight and expertise on any potential risks or symptoms that may arise in the future.
It is important to note that President Biden has not been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and the visits are purely precautionary in nature. Dr. O’Connor emphasized that the President is in good health and there is no cause for alarm.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can cause tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It is more common in older individuals, and having a family history of the disease can increase one’s risk.
The White House doctor’s transparency in addressing these visits is commendable, as it helps to dispel any rumors or misinformation that may be circulating. It is crucial for the public to have accurate information about the health of their leaders, and Dr. O’Connor’s explanation provides reassurance that President Biden is receiving thorough and comprehensive care.
In conclusion, the visits from a Parkinson’s expert to the White House are part of a proactive approach to monitoring President Biden’s health and addressing any potential risks. It is a responsible measure taken by his medical team to ensure his well-being and provide peace of mind to the American people.
