Emily Rappleye | October 02, 2017
President Donald Trump named Don Wright, MD, to fill the role of acting secretary of HHS Friday evening, following the resignation of Tom Price, MD. Dr. Price resigned due to controversy over his use of tax-payer funded private jets.
“I look forward to ensuring that the important work of the department in support of the President’s agenda continues to move forward during this interim period,” Dr. Wright said in an HHS statement.
Here are three things to know about Dr. Wright.
- Dr. Wright has worked at HHS for 10 years. In February, Dr. Wright was named HHS’ acting assistant secretary. Since 2012, he has concurrently served as deputy assistant secretary for health and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, where he leads public health policy and prevention activities, such as coordination of the national dietary and physical guidelines. Dr. Wright has also served as the acting director of HHS’ Office of Research Integrity, deputy assistant secretary for healthcare quality and principal deputy assistant secretary for health.
- Dr. Wright began working for the federal government in 2003. For four years, he served as director of the Office of Occupational Medicine and the Office of Safety and Health Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Board-certified in family medicine and preventive medicine, Dr. Wright holds a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his residency in family medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Waco, Texas. Dr. Wright also holds a master’s degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Source: Beckers