Don J. Wright
Don J. Wright is an American physician and government official who currently serves as the United States Ambassador to Tanzania.
Don J. Wright | |
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United States Ambassador to Tanzania | |
Assumed office August 2, 2020 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Mark B. Childress |
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Acting | |
In office September 29, 2017 – October 10, 2017 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Eric Hargan |
Preceded by | Tom Price |
Succeeded by | Eric Hargan (Acting) |
United States Assistant Secretary for Health Acting | |
In office February 10, 2017 – February 15, 2018 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Karen DeSalvo (Acting) |
Succeeded by | Brett Giroir |
In office September 4, 2007 – March 28, 2008 | |
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | John O. Agwunobi |
Succeeded by | Joxel García |
Personal details | |
Born | Donald John Wright[1] |
Education | Texas Tech University, Lubbock (BS) University of Texas Medical Branch (MD) Medical College of Wisconsin (MPH) |
Wright served as the acting United States Secretary of Health and Human Services for twelve days in 2017. He was designated by President Donald Trump after his predecessor, Tom Price, resigned on September 29, 2017, amid a charter-flight scandal.[2] Wright was replaced as acting Secretary by newly-confirmed Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan on October 10, 2017.[3]
Education
Wright received his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his family medicine residency training at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to his medical degree, he holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin.[4]
Career
After completing his residency, Wright worked for 15 years in the private sector, maintaining an extensive clinical and consulting practice in Central Texas.[4]
From 2003 to 2007, Wright was Director of the Office of Occupational Medicine for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).[4]
Wright started at HHS in 2007, as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health. In 2009, he became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Care Quality, and in 2012, he was named Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.[5] He continues in those positions after being replaced as acting Secretary of HHS.[2]
In October 2019, Wright was nominated to be the next United States Ambassador to Tanzania. He appeared before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in December, received committee approval in January 2020, and was confirmed by voice vote of the full Senate on February 11, 2020.[6] Wright was sworn in on April 2, 2020, but did not present his credentials to President John Pombe Magufuli in Dar es Salaam until August 2, 2020.[7]
References
- "Wright, Donald John – Republic of Tanzania – October 2019". U.S. Department of State. October 29, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- Goldstein, Amy; Wagner, John (2017-09-29). "Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigns after criticism for taking charter flights at taxpayer expense". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2017-09-29.
- "Trump Announces Eric Hargan as Acting HHS Secretary". KTLA. October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- "Don Wright, M.D., M.P.H." blogs.cdc.gov. June 28, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- Valencia, Robert (September 29, 2017). "Tom Price is out, so it's time to get to know new HHS Secretary Don Wright". Newsweek. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- "PN1164 — Donald Wright — Department of State". U.S. Congress. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- "U.S. Ambassador Donald J. Wright Presents Credentials to President Magufuli". U.S. Embassy in Tanzania. August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
External links
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by Tom Price |
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Acting 2017 |
Succeeded by Eric Hargan |
Diplomatic posts | ||
Preceded by Mark B. Childress |
United States Ambassador to Tanzania 2020–present |
Incumbent |