U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of Elisabeth Hagen to Under Secretary for Food Safety.
August 19, 2010
Prior to her nomination as Under Secretary for Food Safety, Elisabeth Hagen served as the USDA’s Chief Medical Officer and Senior Executive at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, where she played a key role in developing and executing the agency’s scientific and public health agendas. Before joining the federal government in 2006, Hagen taught and practiced medicine in both the private and academic sectors, most recently in Washington, D.C. She holds a M.D. from Harvard Medical School, and a B.S. from Saint Joseph’s University. In addition to several hospital and university appointments, her experience includes research and publications and infectious diseases and providing medical care to underserved populations.
“There is no higher priority at USDA than ensuring that Americans have access to a safe and healthy food supply, and Dr. Hagen’s background as the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Executive within USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service will enable her to successfully lead the effort to develop and execute the agency’s scientific and public health agenda, and continue to build the coordination with public health partners at federal, state, and local level needed to achieve the objectives of President Obama’s Food Safety Working Group,” said Vilsack.
Press release