AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and Chief Scientific Officer Ross McKinney Jr., MD, issued the following statement regarding President Biden’s nomination of Robert M. Califf, MD, to be the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
“The AAMC commends President Biden on his decision to nominate Robert M. Califf, MD, as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Califf has proven his commitment to working for the public good, and his previous experience at the FDA as commissioner and as deputy commissioner of the Office of Medical Products and Tobacco will be vital as he leads an agency that has and will continue to play a crucial role in the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Califf’s background as a cardiologist, vice chancellor for clinical and translational research at Duke University, director of the Duke Translational Medicine Institute, and founding director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute make him uniquely qualified to oversee the FDA and advise the administration on issues related to the pandemic and other health challenges facing the nation.
The AAMC and the nation’s medical schools and teaching hospitals are proud to have worked with the FDA on COVID testing and vaccine development, among other issues, and we look forward to working with Dr. Califf and everyone at the FDA to improve the health of people everywhere.”