Former FDA commissioner Robert Califf named chairman of new nonprofit organization
Robert Califf, MD, a noted cardiologist and former FDA commissioner, recently began a new job as chairman of the board of directors for the People-Centered Research Foundation (PCRF).
Califf is also working as a cardiology professor at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, according to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Califf is the founder of Duke Clinical Research Institute and worked at Duke before joining the FDA in February 2015.
The Senate confirmed Califf as the FDA commissioner in February 2016. He served in that role until resigning in January when Donald Trump became President.
At PCRF, Califf will work for a new, non-profit organization that was created by researchers from the Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet). The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded PCORnet.
“Over the past several years, PCORnet has led the way to transform the culture of clinical research by creating a system driven by the shared needs of patients and people and those who care for them,” Califf wrote in a news on the PCORnet website. “We are ensuring PCORnet’s vision and unprecedented work continue.”
Califf is the chairman of PCRF’s board, which he said could grow to have 13 members. As of now, Califf joins six other members on the board: Richard Bankowitz, MD, MBA, FACP, Executive Vice President, Clinical Affairs, America’s Health Insurance Plans; Josephine P. Briggs, MD, Director, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health; Marc M. Boutin, JD, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Council; Donna Cryer, President & CEO of the Global Liver Institute; Craig Lipset, MBA, Head of Clinical Innovation, Worldwide Research & Development, Pfizer Inc.; and Joanne Waldstreicher, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Johnson & Johnson.
“There are many details in place for the new PCRF—and many more to be determined,” Califf wrote. “I am eager to share with you the particulars of our business model and look forward to updating you on our progress in the coming days.”
Executive Editor
Tim Casey joined TriMed Media Group in 2015 as Executive Editor. For the previous four years, he worked as an editor and writer for HMP Communications, primarily focused on covering managed care issues and reporting from medical and health care conferences. He was also a staff reporter at the Sacramento Bee for more than four years covering professional, college and high school sports. He earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and his MBA degree from Georgetown University.