White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor has issued a rare letter denying claims that a Parkinson’s specialist, Dr. Kevin Cannard, has been visiting the executive campus to examine President Joe Biden. Cannard, a neurologist, has been to the White House eight times in the past year, sparking speculation about the purpose of his visits.
According to O’Connor, Cannard’s appearances are part of his “general neurology practice” and he regularly holds clinics at the White House Medical Clinic to support active-duty members assigned to support White House operations. O’Connor emphasized that Cannard has not examined Biden outside of his annual physical check-ups, which have been publicly released each year.
The White House physician’s letter was circulated among reporters after a tense briefing with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who declined to confirm Cannard’s presence on campus, citing security and privacy concerns. Cannard’s visits were first reported after Biden’s debate performance, which raised concerns about his cognitive abilities and sparked discussions among Democrats about his suitability as the party’s nominee.
