Three months after Jeff Shuren, MD, announced his retirement as the FDA's director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, the agency tapped Michelle Tarver, MD, PhD, to fill the role.
Dr. Tarver has been acting director of the CDRH since late July, when Dr. Shuren, who had led the department for nearly 15 years, left the position. She previously served as the deputy director of strategic partnerships and technology innovation, and the program director of patient science and engagement. Dr. Tarver has been with the FDA since 2009.
Patient advocates told The New York Times they hope Dr. Tarver will lead the agency to focus more on safety and less on rapid approvals.