Sherman Moves Into Califf’s Former Position

FDA associate deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco Rachel Sherman has been promoted to deputy commissioner for medical products and tobacco, which was commissioner Robert Califf’s position before being confirmed as the agency head in February.

Sherman had retired from the agency in 2014 and subsequently joined Greenleaf Health as principal of the firm’s drug and biological drug products consulting business. In this role, she provided strategic consulting services and worked with clients to bring innovative medical products to patients. Last year, the agency convinced her to return to serve as associate deputy commissioner under Califf.

Sherman began her career with the agency in 1989 as a medical reviewer in the Division of Antiviral Drug Products. In 1998, she was appointed deputy office director for the Office of Drug Evaluation I, and in 1999 she assumed the duties of deputy office director for the newly established Office of Medical Policy.