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THOMPSON NAMES HAUER TO NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY POST

"We live in a different world. A world with new threats and new dangers," Secretary Thompson said in announcing Hauer as the first Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness. "Jerry Hauer will lead HHS' efforts to strengthen our nation's ability to respond to acts of terrorism and, simultaneously, our nation's public health infrastructure. Jerry's experience and actions over the past few months here at HHS and his efforts throughout his career speak volumes for his abilities. We are fortunate to have him."

Hauer has been serving as HHS' director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness since May 3, when he took over for D.A. Henderson. Henderson had completed a six-month term while the office was developed and currently serves Secretary Thompson as the senior science advisor to the Secretary for Public Health Preparedness.

Prior to coming to HHS, Hauer served as the director of the Office of Emergency Management in New York City, where he became highly respected for his work in developing the country's first bioterrorism response plans. He also pioneered efforts to put in place one of the first public health surveillance systems in the United States, an experience he will draw on as he works with HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in upgrading HHS' nationwide surveillance system and the Health Alert Network (HAN).

Secretary Thompson continued, "Our work with the states has just begun. As we continue to assist them as they expand and enhance their public health infrastructure we will work together to build a national comprehensive preparedness and response strategy. Our goal is to build the strongest public health infrastructure the world has ever seen."

Hauer has served on the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine's Committee to Evaluate R&D Needs for Improved Civilian Medical Response to Chemical and Biological Terrorism, as a member of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense's Working Group, and on the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health's health advisory board. He also is an advisor to Columbia University's School of Public Health.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Hauer was a student of D.A. Henderson's when he served as dean of the school. Hauer called Henderson "his longtime friend and mentor." Hauer has published more than 45 articles, a book and a monograph. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Outstanding Alumni of the Year from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the Distinguished Alumni Award from New York University.

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