News Release

Statement by Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, On Senate Confirmation of RADM W. Craig Vanderwagen, MD, USPHS

I applaud the Senate’s confirmation of RADM Vanderwagen as HHS’ first Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Dr. Vanderwagen’s deep experience in responding to threats to public health, and in working for the Indian Health Service, will be invaluable in carrying out the department's important public health preparedness and medical response missions.

I look forward to working closely with him as we strive to prepare the nation for public health and medical consequences of natural and manmade public health emergencies.

His confirmation also marks a critical milestone toward implementing the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, ensuring our federal public health and medical responses to disasters are faster and better coordinated, and accelerating the advanced research and development of medical countermeasures.

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Last revised: December 31, 2008