Hamburg reflects on time at FDA

Women of Washington

Hamburg reflects on time at FDA

\"There is a sort of bittersweet quality about stepping down, because there\'s more work to be done, and it\'s exciting to be a part of that work,\" former FDA...

Aileen Black
Gigi Schumm

May 12, 2015 9:48 am

2 min read

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(This show originally aired April 1, 2015)

“There is a sort of bittersweet quality about stepping down, because there’s more work to be done, and it’s exciting to be a part of that work,” former FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg told Women of Washington radio show hosts Aileen Black and Gigi Schumm. Hamburg stepped down from her position in March after six years on the job.

“I feel great that I’m leaving behind a strong leadership team and I think that so many things are on track. I feel I’ll be able to watch and feel a sense of pride at a distance in knowing the difference that the FDA makes every day in the lives of every American.”

Before serving as commissioner of the FDA, Hamburg served as Health Commissioner for New York City. She explained how seeing the AIDS epidemic unfold as a young doctor in the late 1980’s led her to pursue a career in public health.

“Seeing this terrible disease emerge, seeing the devastation that it wrought on individuals, their families and communities, and seeing how the medical care aspect was just one part of a broader set of issues—social, legal, ethical, economic, political—I really decided that I wanted to work at the intersection of all those important forces.”

Although Hamburg’s parents were both doctors, she wasn’t always sure she wanted to go into medicine. Dr. Hamburg was taking time off from school and working for the World Health Organization when she realized the value of a degree.

“The WHO is a very hierarchical organization and they really care about degrees … And I thought to myself, if you want to do anything related to health, get the medical degree so you can sit full square at the table and really make a difference.”

Hamburg also gave advice to young people who are starting out in their careers.

“One of the things that has really been a hallmark of my career is that I’ve had lots of interesting opportunities that I never would have imagined. I’ve listened to my heart and taken some risks, and, when a door has opened, I’ve been willing to go through it not knowing for sure what was going to be on the other end,” she said of her experience. “For me, it’s led to the most amazing career, and, I think, a career where I’ve been able to contribute.”