ATSDR - Administrative Offices

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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
ATSDR Administrative Offices

Office of the Administrator

Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH, Administrator

The Office of the Administrator directs and evaluates the programs and activities of the Agency and provides leadership for implementing statutory responsibilities. The ATSDR Administrator approves the Agency goals and objectives and provides overall direction to the scientific and medical program.

Office of the Assistant Administrator

Henry Falk, MD, MPH, Assistant Administrator

The Office of the Assistant Administrator (OAA) is committed to supporting applied research activities relevant to ATSDR's mission through the development and implementation of research plans and science policy for the Agency.

OAA staff have established a 5-year applied research plan in support of the ATSDR public health assessment activities. An evaluation system and monitoring process was implemented in FY 1993 to ensure optimum implementation and operation of the overall Agency research agenda. Special emphasis will be given to the evaluation of the ATSDR Public Health Assessment process, the Substance-Specific Research Program, and the ATSDR Priority Health Conditions Research. In all aspects of the Agency's programs, peer review and independent professional guidance is intrinsic in developing the Agency's science base, policies, and performance.

The focus in OAA is the promotion of programs in support of environmental health issues throughout the nations of the world. In the United States, ATSDR will initiate a university-based Center of Excellence in Exposure Analysis to support research projects involving environmental and public health issues. ATSDR will continue collaborative efforts through the Pan American Health Organization and the Mexican government to focus on environmental public health in the U.S.-Mexico border area. In May 1993, ATSDR convened the International Congress on Health Effects of Hazardous Wastes in Atlanta, Georgia. The focus of the Congress was the exchange of information and ideas related to the human health effects of hazardous wastes. A second conference was held in 1995.

ATSDR Washington, DC Office

Barabara A. Rogers, Associate Administrator

The issues and activities involving the public health concerns, legislation, and resource needs of ATSDR are dynamic, requiring the active participation of staff in Washington, DC ATSDR leadership emphasizes timely responses to Congress, special interest groups, and communities on key public health issues surrounding ATSDR activities at Superfund sites. The Washington link enables the Agency to obtain critical legislative information pertinent to ATSDR activities and to build constituents to help support the Agency's mission. Attendance of the Washington, DC, Office staff at Congressional hearings enables the Agency to keep abreast of issues important to ATSDR, including Superfund, RCRA, lead poisoning prevention, and community-right-to-know laws.

The Washington Office staff coordinates information exchange among various environmental and health organizations, citizens, and Congress. The timely responses from ATSDR through the Washington staff have promoted the Agency's mission to prevent exposure and adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposures to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment.

This page last updated on July 30, 2002

Joanne Cox/ vzc6@cdc.gov