Activities

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. Announces Resignation of Commissioners Post

From: A Message from the Commissioner
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 6:10 PM
To: FDA-Wide
Subject: Transitions

From the first day I arrived at the agency, serving as your Commissioner has been an honor, and the past several weeks have been especially gratifying. In mid-November I had the special privilege of participating with Secretary Leavitt in the opening of three new FDA locations in China as the first step in establishing FDA's presence beyond our borders. Then this month, my immediate office moved into the newly-renovated and historic Building One at FDA's White Oak campus, the site of modern state of the art facilities for the FDA.

I arrived at FDA as we prepared to celebrate the Agency's centennial, and now these events are some of the new chapters in the FDA of the 21stcentury. I am both proud and humbled to have played a part in this transformation that builds on the past and eagerly embraces the future. This critical time of opportunity has not been without its significant challenges, but I am firmly convinced that the transformation is under way. With that knowledge I share with you, my FDA family, that as a public official appointed by President Bush and confirmed by the Senate, I serve you but at the pleasure of the President. I will do so until January 20, 2009, when a new President takes office and a new administration begins. That has always been my plan and the expectation of my family from the time of my confirmation as your Commissioner . I will return to my home in Texas to be with my family, including my grandchildren. I am thrilled to do so but also sad that I will no longer be among people I admire, respect, and have come to cherish. I have said it is hard to fall in love with FDA from outside the agency because so few can fully appreciate who you are and what you mean to this country, but it is impossible not to fall in love with the agency and its mission once you are inside -- that's why so many of you are here. Like other alumni, I will certainly always have a special affection for FDA.

The incoming administration is responsible for appointing an Acting Commissioner until the new President nominates, and the Senate confirms, a permanent FDA Commissioner.

Until my final farewell on January 20, I will be working together with you to prepare the FDA for the change of political leadership. Our management team has developed extensive briefing materials for the incoming administration, and we are working closely with its transition team to ensure a seamless change in political leadership at the agency. As with any transition, there will likely be changes for other senior managers as well, although all current Deputy Commissioners and the Chief of Staff are career civil servants who have served me and FDA well.

I could not submit my letter of resignation today (to be effective January 20) without first informing you of my intention and telling you that I am very grateful for all your efforts and support. I am extremely proud of the progress we have made together. Resources are on a dramatic upward trajectory, and the gleaming new buildings and laboratories at our White Oak campus will make possible synergies and collaboration that were long beyond our reach. I look forward to this week's dedication ceremony for the headquarters building at White Oak.

During this time of political transition, as always, I know each and every one of you will keep the agency focused on the public health tasks at hand. You are the primary mainspring of our public health mission, and I know that you will continue your exemplary work in protecting and promoting the public health of the citizens we all serve.

Andy

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.
Commissioner of Food and Drugs