Don J. Wright

Don J. Wright is an American physician and government official.

Don J. Wright
United States Ambassador to Tanzania
Assuming office
TBD
PresidentDonald Trump
SucceedingMark B. Childress
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Acting
In office
September 29, 2017 – October 10, 2017
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyEric Hargan
Preceded byTom Price
Succeeded byEric Hargan (Acting)
United States Assistant Secretary for Health
Acting
In office
February 10, 2017 – February 15, 2018
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byKaren DeSalvo (Acting)
Succeeded byBrett Giroir
In office
September 4, 2007 – March 28, 2008
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byJohn O. Agwunobi
Succeeded byJoxel García
Personal details
EducationTexas 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.[1] Wright was replaced as acting Secretary by newly-confirmed Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan on October 10, 2017.[2]

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.[3]

Career

After completing his residency, Wright worked for 15 years in the private sector, maintaining an extensive clinical and consulting practice in Central Texas.[3]

From 2003 to 2007, Wright was Director of the Office of Occupational Medicine for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).[3]

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.[4] He continues in those positions after being replaced as acting Secretary of HHS.[1]

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.[5]

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Trump Announces Eric Hargan as Acting HHS Secretary". KTLA. October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  3. "Don Wright, M.D., M.P.H." blogs.cdc.gov. June 28, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  4. 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.
  5. "PN1164 — Donald Wright — Department of State". U.S. Congress. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
Political offices
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
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