Decorated Navy DO is named Physician to the President

Capt. Sean Barbabella, DO, a decorated Navy physician, is the new Physician to the President. Dr. Barbabella will serve in the White House Medical Unit as President Donald Trump’s personal physician.

Dr. Barbabella’s appointment marks the third consecutive time a DO has served as Physician to the President. Kevin O’Connor, DO, was former President Joe Biden’s physician from his inauguration through his departure in January 2025. Prior to Biden’s inauguration, Sean Conley, DO, served as Physician to the President during the first Trump administration from 2018 until January 2021.

“We are thrilled that the White House has, for nearly seven years, entrusted an osteopathic physician with the care of our nation’s commander in chief, says AOA President Teresa A. Hubka, DO, FACOOG (Dist.), FACOG, CS. “This speaks volumes to the value of the osteopathic approach to evidence-based, whole-person care that addresses a patient’s body, mind and spirit.”

Dr. Barbabella attended A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM). He completed his residency training at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia. Dr. Barbabella specializes in emergency and tactical medicine and has completed several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. In his military career, he has received a Purple Heart and a Legion of Merit award, two of the military’s most respected decorations. Before he became Physician to the President, Dr. Barbabella was running the Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina.

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