The White House11.15.21
President Joe Biden has announced plans to nominate Dr. Robert Califf for commissioner of Food and Drugs.
Califf will succeed Dr. Janet Woodcock, who has led the FDA through a challenging time over the last year.
Currently, Califf is a professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine, where he previously served as vice chancellor and founded the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and also works as head of Clinical Policy at Verily Life Sciences, a life sciences research organization. Califf has led many landmark clinical trials and is one of the most frequently cited authors in biomedical science, with more than 1,200 publications in the peer-reviewed literature.
“Dr. Robert Califf is one of the most experienced clinical trialists in the country, and has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic. As the FDA considers many consequential decisions around vaccine approvals and more, it is mission critical that we have a steady, independent hand to guide the FDA,” Biden said. “I am confident Dr. Califf will ensure that the FDA continues its science and data driven decision-making. Dr. Califf had strong bipartisan support in the Senate in 2016, and I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Dr. Califf so he can continue the important work being done at this critical moment.”
Califf will succeed Dr. Janet Woodcock, who has led the FDA through a challenging time over the last year.
About Dr. Califf
Califf is an internationally recognized expert in clinical trial research, health disparities, healthcare quality, and cardiovascular medicine. He brings nearly four decades of experience as a doctor, researcher, leader, and public servant, including previous service as FDA commissioner from 2016-2017, for which he was confirmed by the Senate 89-4 with broad bi-partisan support.Currently, Califf is a professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine, where he previously served as vice chancellor and founded the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and also works as head of Clinical Policy at Verily Life Sciences, a life sciences research organization. Califf has led many landmark clinical trials and is one of the most frequently cited authors in biomedical science, with more than 1,200 publications in the peer-reviewed literature.
“Dr. Robert Califf is one of the most experienced clinical trialists in the country, and has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic. As the FDA considers many consequential decisions around vaccine approvals and more, it is mission critical that we have a steady, independent hand to guide the FDA,” Biden said. “I am confident Dr. Califf will ensure that the FDA continues its science and data driven decision-making. Dr. Califf had strong bipartisan support in the Senate in 2016, and I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Dr. Califf so he can continue the important work being done at this critical moment.”