Dr. Kessler, a pediatrician and former FDA commissioner, was appointed chief science officer of COVID-19 response in January 2021. In this role, he oversaw federal efforts to accelerate the creation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Kessler also co-chaired the White House’s COVID-19 task force.
“Whether he was leading our effort to develop and distribute safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, or sharing his perspective during daily strategy sessions and data deliberations, Dr. Kessler’s contributions to our COVID-19 response have helped save lives,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement to Bloomberg.
Dr. Kessler plans to return to the University of California, San Francisco, where he’s been on leave from his role as a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology and biostatistics, sources told Bloomberg.
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