- The New York Times reports that a Parkinson’s disease expert regularly visits the White House.
- In his letter Monday, Joe Biden’s doctor said the expert’s visit was not for the president.
- Dr. Kevin Cannard runs a neurology clinic for active-duty White House staff, according to Biden’s physician.
In a letter released Monday night, Joe Biden’s doctor said the reason a Parkinson’s expert visits the White House every month is to conduct routine neurology clinics for active-duty staff.
Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, wrote the letter in response to a report in The New York Times about repeated visits by Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders.
The Times report, published Monday amid growing criticism of Biden’s age and his ability to run for re-election, relied on visitor records to track Cannard’s eight visits in as many months but did not specify why he traveled to the White House so frequently.
O’Connor wrote that Cannard “is a neurology specialist who examines President Biden during each of his annual physicals” but stressed that Cannard’s monthly visits had nothing to do with the president.
“Before the pandemic, and after it ended, he has hosted regular Neurology Clinics at the White House Medical Clinic to support the thousands of active duty members assigned to support White House operations,” O’Connor wrote.
He added: “Many military personnel experience neurological problems related to their service, and Dr. Cannard routinely visits WHMC as part of this General Neurology practice.”
O’Connor reiterated that Cannard’s findings on the president’s health have been made public after each annual physical, adding that Biden “has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical.”
Representatives for the Biden administration did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
