Canard’s examination “found no evidence” of Parkinson’s disease or any other neurological disorder.
“His findings have been made public each time I have released the results of the President’s annual physical examinations,” O’Connor wrote. “President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physicals.”
The letter was released amid growing questions about Canard’s repeated visits to the White House, including his most recent visit on Jan. 17, according to White House visitor records. Records show he has visited the White House at least seven times since November 2022.
The White House said Cannard’s visit was primarily for other staff on the White House grounds and that he was not selected for the position because he is an expert on Parkinson’s disease.
Cannard has served as the White House neurologist on call since 2012, according to his LinkedIn profile. A review of visitor records shows Cannard visited the Obama White House at least 15 times between 2012 and 2013 and was examined twice by President Barack Obama’s personal physician.
“Many military personnel experience mission-related neurological problems, and Dr. Kannard regularly [White House medical unit] “He is the longest serving neurologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Military Healthcare System as part of this comprehensive neurology practice,” O’Connor wrote.
Cannard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Three former members of the White House Medical Unit, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive medical matters, said Canard was a frequent visitor to the White House to treat Cabinet members and other senior officials under the current and previous administrations. As a neurology consultant to the unit, Canard frequently administered Botox injections to senior officials, particularly in the Trump administration, to treat migraines, the former White House medical unit members said.
“As a neurologist, he had limited treatment options, but a lot of what he was treating were migraines,” one former staff member said.
Two former staffers also said it was common for specialists to visit the president a few weeks before his annual physical to speed up the process.
The White House has faced questions about Biden’s cognitive abilities after the 81-year-old president frequently stuttered and lost his train of thought during a primetime debate with rival Donald Trump last month. The White House has also declined to grant an interview to O’Connor, Biden’s longtime physician.
House Republicans on Sunday called on O’Connor to testify about her relationship with Biden and why she refused to accept the president’s order to administer cognitive testing.
At a White House press conference on Monday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre engaged in a frustrating exchange with reporters who asked why Canard had made multiple visits to the White House.
Jean-Pierre, who sparked a spat with reporters, refused to answer whether Canard’s visit was about the president. He said Biden had seen a neurologist for his three-yearly physical but gave no further details.
Jean-Pierre said there were “security reasons” that prevented him from releasing the doctor’s name, even though the doctor’s name was listed in the White House visitor’s log, and he also said he could not reveal the name of the specialist.
Jean-Pierre said during the conversation that he would not reveal his name., “No matter how hard you push me or how angry you get from here, I’m not going to do that. It’s inappropriate and it’s unacceptable.”
Several reporters accused Jean-Pierre of withholding important information about Biden’s health. After a lengthy exchange, Jean-Pierre said he was upset by what had just happened.
