Who Is Heidi Overton, Trump’s Nominee to Lead the FDA?

Heidi Overton during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug.

10, 2026. —Bonnie Cash—UPI/Bloomberg/Getty Images President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he was tapping Dr.

Heidi Overton to lead the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the health agency responsible for overseeing the safety and effectiveness of products including food, drugs, and medical devices.

“Dr.

Heidi has been a ROCKSTAR in my Administration, where she has worked directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr.

Oz, and team, to deliver on the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE Health Agenda in History,” the President said in a Truth Social post .

“We need her leadership at the FDA now to ensure that the U.S. remains the WORLD LEADER for Scientific Discovery and CURES.” He went on to say that, in the role, Overton would work with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr.

Mehmet Oz “to RAPIDLY deliver on my priorities of FASTER Cures, INCREASED American Innovation, MAJOR Clinical Trial Reforms, LOWER Drug Prices, and even more MAHA WINS!” If confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Overton would take over the role previously held by Dr.

Marty Makary , who stepped down from the position in May amid growing pushback from both outside of and within the White House.

Here’s what to know about Overton.

She’s a physician—and used to work at a conservative think tank Overton, who has both an MD and PhD, used to be the chief policy officer at a conservative think tank called the America First Policy Institute.

She is also a board-certified physician in public health and general preventive medicine, according to her bio on the institute’s website .