David A. Kessler, MD, named Chief Science Officer of the COVID Response team

The Biden transition team has announced more members to be appointed to the White House COVID-19 Response team, who will work to implement the Biden administration’s COVID-19 plan, which includes rapidly vaccinating as many Americans as possible, increasing testing rates, and restoring the public’s trust in the scientific information disseminated by the federal government.

David A. Kessler, MD, has been selected to be the Chief Science Officer of the COVID Response team. Kessler is currently a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco and has served as the dean of medical schools at both Yale and University of California, San Francisco. He has previously served as the commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration from 1990 to 1997 and was chair of the boards for both the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He’s also an author of several books on public health.

In the press release for the announcement, President-elect Biden stated, “The individuals announced today will bolster the White House’s COVID-19 Response team and play important roles in carrying out our rescue plan and vaccination program. At a time when American families are facing numerous challenges I know these public servants will do all that is needed to build our nation back better.”

Reference

1. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announce additional members of the White House COVID-19 response team. President-Elect Joe Biden. Published January 15, 2021. Accessed January 15, 2021. https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/president-elect-joe-biden-and-vice-president-elect-kamala-harris-announce-additional-members-of-the-white-house-covid-19-response-team/.