Today, President Trump designated Don Wright, MD, MPH, as Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, effective September 29, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. Dr. Wright, a career official who has served at the Department for nearly ten years, has been Acting Assistant Secretary for Health at HHS since February 10, 2017.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the American people and the Administration in this role,” Dr. Wright said. “I look forward to ensuring that the important work of the Department in support of the President’s agenda continues to move forward during this interim period.”

From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Wright was the HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health. He also served as the HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Dr. Wright received an undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, a medical degree from the University of Texas, and a master’s degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his family medicine residency training at Baylor College of Medicine and is board-certified in both Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine.