Jane Henney

Jane Henney is an American physician and public health administrator who made history as the first woman to serve as the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, she led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1999 to 2001, overseeing significant regulatory actions and modernization efforts. Her career spans leadership roles in academia, including at the University of New Mexico and the University of Cincinnati, and high-level positions within the National Cancer Institute and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Early life and education

Jane Ellen Henney was born in Woodburn, Indiana, and pursued her undergraduate education at Manchester College, graduating with a degree in biology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, followed by a residency in internal medicine. Henney then completed a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, which solidified her foundation in clinical research and patient care. Her early training positioned her for a career that would bridge clinical medicine, public health policy, and federal administration.

Career at the FDA

Henney first joined the Food and Drug Administration in the early 1990s, serving as Deputy Commissioner for Operations under then-Commissioner David A. Kessler. In this role, she was instrumental in managing the agency's day-to-day functions and contributed to several high-profile initiatives, including the implementation of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). Her work also involved strengthening the FDA's oversight of blood supply safety and advancing regulations for medical device approvals. This period established her reputation as a skilled administrator within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Commissioner of Food and Drugs

Nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the United States Senate in 1999, Henney became the first female Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Her tenure was marked by efforts to modernize the FDA's regulatory science and improve the drug review process. Key actions included the controversial approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, advancing policies on direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals, and enhancing the agency's focus on food safety following outbreaks linked to products like ready-to-eat meat. She also worked to implement the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 and navigated challenges such as the withdrawal of the diabetes drug troglitazone from the market.

Later career and academia

After leaving the FDA in 2001, Henney transitioned to leadership roles in academic medicine and healthcare administration. She served as Senior Vice President and Provost for Health Affairs at the University of Cincinnati, where she oversaw the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. She later became the Vice President for Health Sciences at the University of New Mexico and CEO of the University of New Mexico Health System. In these positions, she focused on expanding clinical research, improving healthcare delivery, and fostering collaborations with institutions like the National Institutes of Health. She has also served on the boards of major corporations, including AstraZeneca and Cigna.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Jane Henney has received numerous accolades for her contributions to public health and medicine. She is a recipient of the Nathan Davis Award from the American Medical Association and has been honored with the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award. She holds several honorary doctorates from institutions such as Manchester University and the University of Cincinnati. Henney is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and has served on advisory committees for the Institute of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Category:American physicians Category:Food and Drug Administration officials Category:1948 births Category:Living people