Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., is joining the board at industry giant UnitedHealth Group.
The company announced the move Tuesday, with CEO and Board Chair Stephen Hemsley saying Gottlieb's "exceptional healthcare career in both the public and private sectors" will bring valuable insight to the company.
“He is an innovator who constantly advocates for a more integrated healthcare approach supported by the latest technology," Hemsley said. "We welcome his deep expertise and thought leadership as we strive to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone.”
Gottlieb served as the FDA Commissioner from 2017 to 2019, and during his tenure, he focused on transparency, patient safety and promoting competition. He took on the opioid epidemic and youth tobacco use during his time at the agency.
In addition to his stint at the helm of the FDA, Gottlieb held roles at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as well as the Federal Health Information Technology Policy Committee, according to the announcement. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and a contributor to CBS and CNBC.
Gottlieb is also a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a partner at New Enterprise Associates, per the announcement.
“I look forward to working with UnitedHealth Group to help shape how medical breakthroughs are developed and made accessible to patients who may benefit from them,” said Gottlieb in the release. “I hope to leverage my experience to support providers in their delivery of care that’s not only more innovative but also more affordable, and that improves outcomes for patients and communities.”