Activities

FDAAA Luncheon May 27, 2009

Over 80 attendees turned out for the FDA Alumni Association's luncheon on May 27, 2009 in Rockville, MD to meet and greet Dr. Josh Sharfstein, Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Sharfstein recounted a bit of his own personal history, through his interest in FDA while working with President Obama's Transition Team to becoming the Deputy Commissioner at FDA. He said his first 2 months in this position were pretty much as he expected (overwhelming) but, using H1N1 and Tamiflu as an example, he noted how FDA staff pulled together in response to the challenges and did a great job. When he used his weekly message to FDA staff as a vehicle to solicit ideas about how to reinvigorate FDA as a public health agency, he was overwhelmed to get hundreds of responses.

Dr. Sharfstein talked about the importance of communication, transparency, and sound science. He noted that "There's some risk but not a lot" is the most difficult public health message to convey. He stressed the importance of effective collaborations, noting that both he and Dr. Hamburg would be looking beyond White Oak (campus) to see who is doing what and who can help. Dr. Sharfstein took a number of questions from the audience. In closing, he urged FDAAA membership to be actively engaged as "wise advisors" to FDA leadership. Attendees were very grateful to Dr. Sharfstein for generously giving his time to speak to the Association's membership.

Submitted: Michelle A. Smith, Ph.D.

Principal Deputy Commissioner Josh Sharfstein during his presentation.


FDAAA alumni member Sheila Walcoff gets a laugh out of FDAAA President, Alan Andersen.


FDAAA Activities Committee Co-chair Nancy Myers introducing the speaker.


Two alumni members: Craig Ostroff (l) in animated conversation with Lindsay Cobbs.


(l to r) FDAAA alumni members Walter Benson, Stuart Nightingale, and Dick Crout.


FDAAA associate members (l to r) Max Robinowitz and Susanne Caviness in discussion while framing alumni member Brian Mayhew in the background.