Stephen Hahn

American physician and former FDA Commissioner

Stephen Michael Hahn (born January 22, 1960) is an American physician who served as the 24th Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He was appointed by President Donald Trump and served from December 2019 until January 2021. Prior to his role at the FDA, Hahn was a radiation oncologist and held various leadership positions in academic medicine.

Early life and education

Stephen Hahn was born in Nassau County, New York. He attended Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology. He then pursued his medical degree at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1984.

Medical career

Residency and early career

Hahn completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Following this, he completed a fellowship in medical oncology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he focused on cancer research.

Academic leadership

Hahn joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania as a professor of radiation oncology. He later moved to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he served as the chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. During his tenure, he was involved in numerous clinical trials and research initiatives aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Commissioner of Food and Drugs

Stephen Hahn as FDA Commissioner

Stephen Hahn was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the Commissioner of the FDA in November 2019. He was confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in on December 17, 2019.

Tenure

During his tenure, Hahn oversaw the FDA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Hahn's leadership was marked by efforts to expedite the review and approval processes for medical products related to the pandemic.

Stephen Hahn being sworn in as FDA Commissioner

Challenges and controversies

Hahn faced several challenges during his time as Commissioner, including public scrutiny over the FDA's handling of the pandemic response. He was involved in the controversial decision to grant emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19, which drew criticism from some in the scientific community.

Post-FDA career

After leaving the FDA in January 2021, Hahn joined Flagship Pioneering, a venture capital firm focused on biotechnology. He continues to contribute to the field of medicine through his work in the private sector.

Personal life

Stephen Hahn is married and has two children. He is known for his dedication to patient care and his commitment to advancing medical research.

Related pages

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Radiation oncology