Stephen Hahn, M.D., FASTRO
December 6, 2019 — The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) expressed its support after the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted today to approve the nomination of radiation oncologist Stephen Hahn, M,D,, FASTRO, as the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Next, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will need to schedule a full Senate vote to confirm Hahn.
"On behalf of our more than 10,000 members, ASTRO commends Dr. Hahn for his thoughtful answers outlining his commitment to consumer safety during the committee hearing. We are pleased that Dr. Hahn received the votes needed to secure committee approval and will move on to a final confirmation vote. We join the growing number of research, provider and patient groups who also support Dr. Hahn, and we urge the Senate to swiftly confirm his nomination as head of the FDA," said Theodore L. DeWeese, M.D., FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors.
Hahn, the chief medical executive at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, was nominated Nov. 1 by President Trump to be the nation’s 24th FDA Commissioner. On behalf of ASTRO, DeWeese and other radiation oncology leaders expressed their support of Dr. Hahn's nomination when it was announced by the White House. The Cancer Leadership Council, a coalition of approximately 30 professional societies, cancer patient organizations and research organizations including ASTRO, also voiced its support of Hahn earlier this week.
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