Mike Haridopolos

Florida GOP Rep. Mike Haridopolos' wife, Office of the Surgeon General's National Health Communications Director Stephanie Haridopolos, is temporarily taking on the duties of surgeon general until the Trump administration's nominee for the position is approved.

“Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D. is using his delegation of authority powers to allow Dr. Haridopolos to begin carrying out many of the duties of the Surgeon General on behalf of the American people. She will promote OSG public health actions, advisories, and guidance until the next Surgeon General is sworn into office,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told The Hill on Wednesday.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said regarding Haridopolos' new communications director role, "she will help lead public education efforts around advisories, prevention, and public health guidance until the next surgeon general is confirmed."

The surgeon general role has not been filled during the second Trump administration. President Donald Trump’s first two nominees, Janette Nesheiwat and Casey Means, both failed to advance in the Senate's confirmation process.

Trump withdrew his nomination of Means last month and announced former Fox News contributor and radiologist Nicole Saphier as his newest nominee.

Haridopolos is a family physician who has previously been involved in changing health policy at the state level in Florida. During that time, she led an effort to raise the eligibility for subsidized coverage from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level for children in Florida KidCare.