FDA Continues Communications Staff Upheaval in Wake of Convalescent Plasma Bungle
The FDA has ousted another high-ranking communications officer following fallout from FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn’s misrepresentation of convalescent plasma as a COVID-19 treatment.
John “Wolf” Wagner, a White House appointee who served as the agency’s associate commissioner for external affairs, has been moved to a position in the Office of the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Hahn reportedly informed agency staff. Wagner has been replaced in an acting role by Heidi Rebello, who will oversee agency-wide communications about regulatory and public health activities.
Meanwhile, Michael Felberbaum has been moved into the Assistant Commissioner for Media Affairs position previously held by another White House-appointed staffer, Emily Miller. She was ousted last week after being on the job for just 11 days. Felberbaum will also be serving in the role temporarily.
The FDA declined to confirm the personnel change, however, the agency’s website had Felberbaum and Rebello listed in their new roles as of late Thursday.
Former FDA Commissioners Scott Gottlieb and Robert Califf lauded the staffing changes, with Califf calling Rebello and Felberbaum “highly competent professionals who know the science, public health, legal and policy issues.” Gottlieb seconded his praise, describing the two as “outstanding professionals who have a strong sense of the agency’s special public health mission, and deep expertise in its scope and inner workings.”
Just a few days after Hahn drew hefty criticism for misrepresenting the effectiveness of convalescent plasma in treating COVID-19 during the White House’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) announcement, Miller was let go from her position. And, a well-established consultant, Wayne L. Pines, who had successfully counseled Hahn to make a public apology, had his contract terminated with HHS, though the department denied it had any connection to Hahn’s blunder (DID, Aug. 31). — James Miessler