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Johns Hopkins Surgeon Marty Makary to Head the FDA

Writer's picture: Emily SpoonerEmily Spooner

Updated: Nov 26, 2024

In a significant healthcare move, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Marty Makary, a prominent surgeon from Johns Hopkins University, to serve as the new commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This decision, announced on November 22, has sparked both interest and controversy. Here’s what you need to know about Dr. Makary and his nomination:


10 Key Things to Know


  1. Dr. Makary’s Role at Johns Hopkins Dr. Marty Makary is a pancreatic surgeon and the chief of islet transplant surgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is also a professor and a public policy researcher, making significant contributions to both the medical field and healthcare policy.

  2. Leadership Experience in Patient Safety Makary’s career includes leadership roles at the World Health Organization’s Patient Safety Program, where he worked to improve global healthcare quality and safety standards.

  3. National Academy of Medicine Member Dr. Makary is a distinguished member of the National Academy of Medicine, an honor that recognizes his substantial contributions to science and medicine.

  4. Advocate for Healthcare Transparency Makary has served as a public advisor for the Paragon Health Institute, a conservative think tank focused on healthcare reform. His research emphasizes the importance of healthcare transparency and the redesign of the healthcare system to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

  5. Trump’s Statement on Makary’s Role In an endorsement on Truth Social, President Trump expressed his confidence in Dr. Makary, stating that the FDA had "lost the trust of Americans" and needed someone like him to "course-correct" the agency. Trump highlighted Makary’s expertise as a respected surgeon and health policy expert as key to restoring the FDA’s regulatory mission.

  6. Focus on Childhood Chronic Diseases Dr. Makary will work under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Together, they will address issues such as the growing childhood chronic disease epidemic, a major health concern in the U.S.

  7. Controversial Views on COVID-19 Dr. Makary has been a vocal figure in public health debates, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. He made headlines for advocating natural immunity and predicting the U.S. would reach herd immunity by April 2021. He also controversially stated that myocarditis, a rare heart condition, is more common after COVID-19 vaccination—a claim that has been debunked by several studies. His views have drawn significant attention and criticism, especially from those who disagree with his stance on COVID-19.

  8. Prolific Researcher and Author Dr. Makary has authored over 250 scientific studies and two books, and his writing has appeared in major publications such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and USA Today. His work spans medical research, healthcare policy, and societal impacts of medical practices.

  9. Global Educational Influence Dr. Makary is a visiting professor at over 25 medical schools, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of doctors and researchers. He has received multiple accolades, including the Nobility in Science Award from the National Pancreas Foundation, recognizing his exceptional contributions to pancreatic disease research.

  10. Defending His Nomination and Controversial Allies In a recent appearance on Fox News, Dr. Makary defended Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the HHS, describing him as the "least scary" aspect of the current healthcare landscape. However, this has sparked criticism, particularly from experts like Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine specialist, who questioned Makary’s fitness for the FDA role due to his controversial statements on COVID-19 and his support for Kennedy.


Dr. Marty Makary’s nomination to head the FDA marks a pivotal moment for healthcare in the U.S. His background in surgery, healthcare policy, and his outspoken positions on public health issues position him as a polarizing yet highly influential figure in the field. As the FDA continues to grapple with challenges related to trust, regulation, and public health, Dr. Makary’s leadership could be key to shaping its future. However, his controversial views and alliances will likely continue to spark debate as he moves forward in the nomination process.


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