President Trump nominates Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the FDA
President Donald Trump said he will nominate Dr. Heidi Overton, deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, as the next Food and Drug Administration commissioner. She would replace Dr. Marty Makary, who resigned in May, and needs Senate confirmation.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will nominate Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Fox News, CNN, and NPR reported.
Overton is a physician and deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. Trump called her a rockstar in a Truth Social post and said she has worked with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others on the administration's health agenda. He said the country needs her at FDA so the United States remains a world leader in scientific discovery and cures.
The post comes about three months after Dr. Marty Makary resigned as FDA commissioner after 13 months. Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas has led the agency since May. CNN reported Diamantas declined to take the job permanently and that other candidates, including Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, were considered.
Overton trained as a surgeon, earned a medical degree from the University of New Mexico, and holds a doctoral degree in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University. She worked in the first Trump administration, later led health policy work at the America First Policy Institute, and has appeared with the president on recent health announcements, including most-favored-nation drug pricing deals and an August executive order on the childhood vaccine schedule.
Kennedy praised her judgment and commitment. Senate confirmation is required. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has raised sharp questions about the vaccine order. Some Democrats have already said they will vote no. The FDA regulates drugs, vaccines, tobacco, medical devices, and much of the food supply, so the fight will be closely watched by patients and industry.
Go Deeper
Who is Heidi Overton?
A physician who is deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. She previously worked at the America First Policy Institute and in the first Trump administration.
Why is the FDA job open?
Former Commissioner Marty Makary resigned in May after 13 months. Kyle Diamantas has served as acting commissioner.
What does Trump say she will do?
He said she will keep America first on health, push scientific discovery and cures, and continue work with HHS leaders on his health agenda.
What is the confirmation path?
She needs a Senate vote after review by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee chaired by Sen. Bill Cassidy.
Why should seniors watch this?
FDA leaders set the pace for drug and device reviews, food safety, and vaccine guidance that affect Medicare patients every day.
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