David A. Kessler, M.D.

Yale School of Medicine Dean David A. Kessler, M.D., was elected in January to chair the board of directors of The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He will lead the foundation’s efforts to improve the lives of children worldwide through pediatric research, training and advocacy. Kessler served as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 1990 to 1997, where he spearheaded efforts to accelerate drug review, improve food labels and curb teenage tobacco use. In 2000 the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation created the Glaser Pediatric Research Network, which consists of five academic medical centers that collaborate on finding better treatments for seriously ill children, training pediatric clinical investigators and serving as a united voice to advocate for policies that improve children’s health worldwide.