President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Heidi Overton, a physician and White House domestic policy aide, to lead the Food and Drug Administration.
The move, reported by a source familiar with the matter, would place Overton at the helm of one of the country’s most influential regulatory bodies.
Overton’s appointment remains subject to Senate confirmation before she can formally take up the role as FDA commissioner.
If confirmed, she would succeed Marty Makary, who resigned from the commissioner position in May following disputes with the White House and industry stakeholders over agency decisions.
Makary’s departure left the FDA without permanent leadership at a critical moment, as the agency has faced pressure to restore trust among pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Overton is one of three finalists being considered for the top FDA post, with the selection process narrowing the field to a small group of candidates.
The other two contenders are oncologist Jeffrey Vacirca and Pentagon health official Stephen Ferrara, both of whom remain under consideration.
According to a senior administration official, Overton was the administration’s third choice for the role, suggesting the selection process involved significant deliberation before settling on her as the leading candidate.
Her background as a physician and experience within the White House domestic policy apparatus is expected to inform her approach to the FDA’s regulatory responsibilities.
The FDA has been navigating a period of significant institutional pressure, and the appointment of a permanent commissioner is seen as a key step toward stabilising the agency’s leadership and direction.
The Senate confirmation process will be the next major hurdle for Overton, who will need to secure enough votes to formally assume one of the most consequential regulatory positions in the United States government.