Trump Appoints Gerald Parker the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy

[DaisyDay]

Trump names One Health expert to lead pandemic response office

Media reports indicate Gerald Parker, DVM, PhD, will lead the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy.

www.cidrap.umn.edu

Parker, an associate dean for Global One Health at Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, has had previous roles in government, and was most recently chair of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity at the National Institutes of Health under the Biden administration. Prior to that, Parker served as a senior advisor for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services from August 2020 to February 2021.

Parker served 26 years in the US Army and has also held positions at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. According to his bio, he is recognized as a leader in biodefense, high-consequence emerging infectious diseases, global health security, and all-hazards public health/medical preparedness.
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An Aggie! Seems like an exemplary choice. He's got actual qualifications and relevant experience!

Sadly, he did work in the prior administration, so ....

 

[Fantine]

He's a veterinarian! Shouldn't a doctor for humans do this job?
I guess that makes him as unqualified as all the TV hosts pretending they can run the government. He'll fit right in.
The good news is that, should a pandemic occur, we can easily get real solutions from other countries.
Getting the medicine may be harder. Road trip on I49 to Winnipeg anyone?

 

[DaisyDay]

He's a veterinarian! Shouldn't a doctor for humans do this job?

That was my first reaction, but no, with several bird flues going around, some of which have infected cats and cows, his vet background is good. Also note that his degree and background include biomedical defense and emerging disease.

I guess that makes him as unqualified as all the TV hosts pretending they can run the government. He'll fit right in.

Naw, this one is good, imo. He served in the Biden administration as senior advisor for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the HHS. He is a serious scientist.

The good news is that, should a pandemic occur, we can easily get real solutions from other countries.
Getting the medicine may be harder. Road trip on I49 to Winnipeg anyone?

Visit our 51st state?

 

[essentialsaltes]

He's a veterinarian! Shouldn't a doctor for humans do this job?

In addition to the DVM, he's also a Ph.D.:

• Baylor College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences,, PhD, Molecular Physiology

That and his previous biodefense work (and current positions as "Director of the Pandemic and Biosecurity Policy Program at the Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs within the Bush School of Government & Public Service.") suggest he's a qualified choice.

Even if he flies a dozen MAGA flags outside his home, I'll take him over the many unqualified choices we've seen in the Trump Administration.

 

[durangodawood]

Seems like a decent choice (finally).

Wonder if he'll have some kind of showdown with RFK?