Senator Tuberville Introduces Dr. Brian Christine at Senate HELP Hearing
Mountain Brook Surgeon has been nominated for Assistant Secretary for Health position
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R–AL) formally introduced Dr. Brian Christine, a Mountain Brook-based Urologist, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 16. Dr. Christine has been nominated by President Trump for the role of Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Sen. Tuberville opened with praise for Dr. Christine’s nearly 30-year career in Birmingham. “He brings advanced surgical skills taught nationally and globally,” he said. Dr. Christine earned his medical degree at Emory University. He completed his residency in Birmingham and has spent decades delivering care in Alabama, including serving as a trauma surgeon for tactical police units.
A key exchange focused on the erosion of public confidence in healthcare since COVID‑19. Sen. Tuberville asked how Dr. Christine would restore trust in doctors and hospitals. Christine responded:
“The loss of trust that we have seen in our healthcare institutions and the healthcare policies emanating from this city are the worst that I’ve seen in over three decades of practice. People feel that during the pandemic particularly they were led astray, some people feel they were lied to. We have to work to restore that trust. Secretary Kennedy is 100% committed to doing that, as is President Trump.
Christine emphasized his surgical experience, saying, “I’ve had to earn the trust of my patients … I truly believe I can bring that skillset to the office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.”
Sen. Tuberville then raised concerns about misleading food labels. Dr. Christine affirmed his support for the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda under Secretary Kennedy and President Trump, saying:
“Well, we know that Secretary Kennedy is absolutely committed to the Make America Healthy Again agenda to remove toxins from our foods, to make sure that all have access to clean water, that we focus on not just treating chronic disease, but finding out what causes chronic disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and work to not only cure those diseases, but really prevent and eliminate those diseases. Secretary Kennedy is always wanting to approach things from the foundation of science. He truly believes in that. I agree with the Secretary on all of those things. I intend to support him. I intend to work diligently if I have the privilege of being confirmed.”
With 60% of Alabama classified as rural, Tuberville asked about solutions for healthcare deserts. Dr. Christine responded:
“Yes, Senator. [I think] one of the things you’re speaking about are healthcare deserts – those areas where men, women and their children don’t have ready access to primary care services such as pediatrics or gynecologic services or family practice. We have to find ways to bridge those gaps. I think that absolutely telehealth can help provide a bridge to these individuals. We’ll see what AI brings in the future. But again, technology can help bridge this gap. We absolutely must encourage and must increase the number of primary care physicians, family practitioners, pediatricians, gynecologists and opticians and primary care nurses […] to help bridge this gap as well. Now that takes a while to spin that up. But in the interim, we have to find ways to bridge the gaps. We do have to use technology. I believe that I, as Assistant Secretary for Health, one of the things that I intend to do, if I’m privileged to be in that position, will be to be a true evangelist to really go out and encourage young men and women who are in medical school and nursing school to serve in these areas. Young men and women getting into healthcare, they want a mission. Wanna help them understand that that mission to serve our brothers and sisters in rural America and healthcare deserts is truly noble and is worthwhile.”
If confirmed, Dr. Christine will lead key public health programs and oversee the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps with a “Main Street medicine” focus, aiming to expand primary care and mend the relationship between patients and providers.
Dr. Brian Christine is a Surgeon and advocate committed to reviving trust in healthcare, purging harmful food additives, and strengthening care in rural America. His confirmation hearing marks a critical moment in steering U.S. health policy toward transparency and accessibility.
A transcript of Sen. Tuberville’s and Dr. Christine’s remarks is available HERE. It may also be seen on YouTube and below:
