What to know about Dr. Heidi Overton, Trump's pick to lead the FDA
President Trump has tapped one of his top White House health policy aides, Dr. Heidi Overton, to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Overton has been a strong supporter of the president's health agenda, including efforts to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule, changes that have drawn sharp criticism from medical experts. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Lauren Gardner of Politico.
President Trump has appointed Dr. Heidi Overton, a top White House health policy aide, to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Overton has been a vocal supporter of Trump's health agenda, which includes efforts to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule and tighten restrictions on the abortion drug mifepristone. She has an advanced degree from Johns Hopkins University and has served as a fellow at the White House during Trump's first term.
Her nomination comes at a critical time for the FDA, as the administration is challenging longstanding vaccine policies and addressing concerns about the safety of the nation's food supply. Overton's background as a medical doctor and her close relationship with the president make her a unique choice for the role. However, her views on vaccine policy and food safety, especially in light of the recent increase in foodborne illness outbreaks, remain to be seen.
The FDA has experienced significant attrition, with over 3,000 employees lost, and this could pose challenges for Overton as she takes on the role of commissioner.
Written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
