FDA Pick Spent Life 'Preparing for This Job'

President Obama's nominee for FDA commissioner — Dr. Margaret Hamburg — has held one of the toughest jobs in public health.

From 1991 to 1997, Hamburg was New York City's health commissioner, overseeing what had been a storied but demoralized department facing the HIV epidemic and budget cutbacks. A New York Times editorial credited her with raising agency morale and channeling money back to the department.

Her experience could serve her well at the FDA, as low morale ripples through an agency considered underfunded, even by members of Congress who have criticized the FDA for lax food safety oversight and drug approvals.

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