- The New York Times reported that Parkinson’s disease experts visit the White House regularly.
- Joe Biden’s physician said in a letter on Monday that the specialist consultation was not for the president.
- According to Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin Canard, he hosted a neurology clinic for current White House staff members.
Joe Biden’s physician said in a letter released late Monday that the reason for the Parkinson’s disease expert’s monthly visits to the White House is to host regular neurology clinics for active-duty military personnel.
Biden’s physician, Kevin O’Connor, wrote the letter in response to a New York Times report about Biden’s repeated visits to Dr. Kevin Canard, a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders.
The Times article, published Monday amid growing criticism of Biden’s age and his ability to run for reelection, used visitor records to track Canard’s eight visits to the White House over the course of several months but did not say why he was visiting so frequently.
O’Connor wrote that Cannard was “the neurologist who saw President Biden during his annual physical,” but stressed that Cannard’s monthly visits were unrelated to the president.
“Before and since the pandemic has ended, we have hosted regular neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic to support the thousands of active duty military members who support the operations of the White House,” O’Connor wrote.
He added, “Many military members experience service-related neurological issues and Dr. Canard visits WHMC regularly as part of his general neurology practice.”
O’Connor reiterated that Cannard’s findings on the president’s health are made public after his annual physical, adding that Biden “does not see a neurologist outside of his annual physical.”
Representatives for the Biden administration did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
