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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
The FDA is getting a leadership shake-up. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is planning to appoint two new deputy commissioners — one focused on technology and AI, the other on drugs. Jared Seehafer is the frontrunner for the tech role, though no final decisions have been announced yet.
The FDA is undergoing a significant leadership overhaul. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly planning to appoint two new deputy commissioners at the agency — one to oversee technology (including healthcare AI) and another to manage drug oversight. Jared Seehafer is the leading candidate for the tech-focused role, per sources familiar with the matter, though no formal announcements have been made.
This comes amid broader turbulence at the FDA. President Trump recently tapped White House policy aide Heidi Overton — described as an "America First" ally — to lead the agency, a nomination still awaiting Senate confirmation. Her appointment follows the May resignation of former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who clashed with White House officials over flavored vapes, an abortion-pill safety study, and drug approval disputes with companies like Moderna and Sarepta.
Quick Facts:
Why it matters: With the FDA navigating staff losses, low morale, and high-stakes regulatory battles, these new leadership appointments signal an effort to stabilize and restructure the agency — with particular attention to the growing role of AI and technology in healthcare regulation.
