A Medical Device Daily

FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach reported two new personnel changes at the agency: the creation of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, to be overseen by Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock; and the appointment of John Dyer, as the agency’s deputy commissioner for operations and the COO.

Woodcock will oversee scientific and planning-related operations for the FDA. She will share responsibility and collaboration with the commissioner in planning, organizing, directing, staffing, coordinating, controlling and evaluating the agency’s scientific and medical regulatory activities. An internist and rheumatologist, Woodcock was previously the director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and has experience working in the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).

Dyer will be a part of the senior management of the agency that supports the commissioner in advancing priority initiatives, concentrating on strengthening the management, business processes, and information technology of the agency. Dyer also will work with the other deputy commissioners and the chief of staff to provide management leadership and oversight to FDA.

Dyer most recently served as the COO for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, leading implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) and responsible for day-to-day operations. From 2001-2003, Dyer worked in the private sector for information technology and executive leadership companies.