Leadership Selection in the Enterprise of Medical Countermeasure Development.

摘要

The threat of domestic terrorism from a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack is a constant risk that must be managed effectively by those entrusted to protect and prepare our nation. Central to our nation's preparedness are the individuals selected to lead the enterprise of medical countermeasure development. Leaders selected to this post must possess the essential background, skills, and experience necessary to achieve success. Equally important, these leaders must be retained in their roles for sufficient time to enact the strategy given to them. Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) was established with a mission that includes managing the advanced research and development of medical countermeasures through its office of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (MRMC) manages a similar mission of medical countermeasure development in diverse research laboratories for the Department of Defense. This paper examines the inherent difficulties of managing the unique long-term medical countermeasure programs of the U.S. government by short-term appointed directors in the offices of the ASPR and MRMC.