05.01.09
With food safety in mind, in mid-March President Obama officially named Margaret Hamburg, MD, as FDA’s new commissioner. He also selected Joshua Sharfstein, MD, to be Dr. Hamburg’s principal deputy. Dr. Sharfstein is a pediatrician who previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner. Both were in contention for the head FDA spot.
Dr. Hamburg, a physician and bioterrorism expert, spent several years serving as New York City’s health chief. Prior to that she served as an assistant health secretary during the Clinton Administration. As public health officials, Henry Waxman (D-CA) says their combined experiences give him “great hope for the future of FDA.”
Deputy commissioner Sharfstein will begin his tenure with FDA in May. Dr. Hamburg is still awaiting confirmation.
Dr. Hamburg, a physician and bioterrorism expert, spent several years serving as New York City’s health chief. Prior to that she served as an assistant health secretary during the Clinton Administration. As public health officials, Henry Waxman (D-CA) says their combined experiences give him “great hope for the future of FDA.”
Deputy commissioner Sharfstein will begin his tenure with FDA in May. Dr. Hamburg is still awaiting confirmation.