The U.S. Senate voted on Monday to confirm President Obama’s nominee for Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Margaret Hamburg. The FDA is the oversight agency for food production as well as prescription drugs and medical devices.
Dr. Hamburg is a Harvard-trained doctor and former New York City health commissioner known for her work in bioterrorism preparations and other public health issues.
Dr. Hamburg has been critical of recent food contamination responses by Bush adminstration officials, and pledged in her confirmation hearing to restore public confidence in the FDA.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius praised Hamburg, saying, “Her expertise and judgment will serve FDA well.”
A profile of Dr. Hamburg’s carreer appeared in The New York Times on May 6, 2009. You can read the full profile here.
Posted by Sara Chupein
