Stephen Hahn, M.D. Confirmed by U.S. Senate as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration

On Thursday, December 12, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Dr. Stephen Hahn as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Senate vote was 72-18.

Dr. Hahn, an oncologist, serves as Chief Medical Executive at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Prior to joining MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Hahn was the Chairman of the Radiation Oncology Department of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

In April, Dr. Scott Gottlieb resigned after serving as FDA Commissioner for two years. The FDA has been led by two acting commissioners since his resignation. 

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has been working closely with the Commissioner and the FDA on many issues including drug shortages. ASA looks forward to continuing working with the agency