Stewart Simonson
Encyclopedia
Stewart Simonson was the first Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He assumed office on April 28, 2004. He told the president in a resignation letter dated May 13, 2006 that he had accomplished what he had set out to do, and it was time to pursue other opportunities. Simonson joined HHS in August 2001 and was instrumental in building the HHS preparedness and response organization that grew out of the September 11th attacks.
Simonson served as the Secretary's principal advisor on matters related to bioterrorism
and other public health
emergencies
. He also coordinated interagency activities between HHS, other federal departments, agencies, offices and state and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population.
where he received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1986 and Juris Doctor
degree in 1994. He is a member of the bar
in Wisconsin
and the District of Columbia.
After completing undergraduate studies, Simonson worked for several years on Wall Street before returning to Wisconsin to pursue a law degree. Simonson worked his way through law school at the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections. Upon graduation he was hired as Deputy Counsel to the Governor, he was soon promoted to Legal Counsel to Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
, a post he held from 1995 to 1999. Under Thompson, Simonson served as Chair of the state Pardon Advisory Board, directed the Governor's emergency management
efforts, directed the policy development for crime and corrections, and coordinated the state's public safety agencies.
When Thompson became chairman of the board
at the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak
) in the late 1990s, The Board of Directors appointed Simonson as corporate secretary and counsel for the company. Then, when Thompson was appointed to be Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, he brought Simonson with him to that agency as well. From 2001 to 2003 he was the HHS Deputy General Counsel and provided legal advice and counsel to the Secretary on public health preparedness matters.
Simonson also served as Special Counsel to the Secretary and acted as the Secretary's liaison to the Homeland Security Council
and the Department of Homeland Security
. He also supervised policy development for countermeasure
research and development programs, including Project Bioshield
, a program to speed the manufacture of vaccine
s and antidote
s. Since its enactment in July 2004, Project BioShield has launched nine acquisition programs including medical countermeasure
acquisition programs for all four threat agents (anthrax, smallpox, botulinum toxins, and radiological/nuclear threats) determined by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to pose material threats to the national security of the US. Of the $3.4 billion available to the program between FY04 and FY08, over $1.7 billion has already been obligated and the Strategic National Stockpile has substantially increased its holding of anthrax vaccines and medical countermeasures for radiological/nuclear threats."
Simonson was awarded the Surgeon General's Medallion in May 2006 for "Significant Collaboration with and Contributions to the USPHS Commissioned Corps Response Mission." In June 2006, Simonson received the Public Health Achievement Award from the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
"For Tireless and exceptional dedication in better preparing our nation and world against the threats of bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases, including pandemic influenza."
On May 10, 2006 the Director-General of WHO Dr. J.W. Lee wrote: "I want to add my personal congratulations for the contributions you have made to international public health since your appointment as Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness. I will be sorry to see you leave. Your personal interest in pandemic influenza has added much to our joint global preparedness and response and response activities. And without your input and actions, the new and critical International Health Regulations likely would be less robust and action – oriented. Action rather than mere words has been the hallmark of your tenure in the Department of Health and Human Services."
perceived cronyism
, especially in light of the poor job Bush-appointee Michael D. Brown
is believed to have done responding to Hurricane Katrina. Unlike Mr. Brown, Mr. Simonson 42 years old, kept his job, and remained at HHS under Mr. Thompson’s successor, Mike Leavitt. Some respected public health officials have risen to his defense, describing Mr. Simonson as a behind the scenes fixer who gets funding and political support for long-neglected public-health initiatives.
Simonson coordinated the HHS response to Hurricane Katrina and received high marks. Dr. Louis Cataldie
, the Louisiana State Medical Examiner, wrote in his recently released book, Coroners Journal: "I respect Stewart Simonson, Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness at the Department of Health and Human Services, who met me face-to-face and stayed true to his word. Imagine someone from D.C. being a straight guy. He has
delivered every time - not so with some of these other cover-your-ass feds." (Cataldie, Louis, Coroner's Journal, G Putnam's Sons, New York, NY (2006) Page 7.)
Some of the nation's leading scientists have been quick to defend Simonson. Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota
said: "Of all the people I've worked with over my career, no one is more competent,"
“Here’s the guy who has really done a terrific job under very complicated, adverse circumstances. To have him be the target the way he has, has got to be one of the really unfair events in Washington, which is a pretty unfair place to begin with,” says Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, an HHS unit (Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2005).
D.A. Henderson, a public health expert who led the effort to wipe out smallpox in the late ‘60s and ‘70s: “The general feeling was this is someone who may be here because of political reasons, but this is a dedicated person who has the interests of the country at heart.” Dr. Henderson, who joined HHS after Sept.11, 2001, and left in 2002, says Mr. Simonson was instrumental in helping him do everything from finding office space to working on an early HHS purchase of smallpox vaccine (Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2005). In his recent book, Dr. Henderson described Simonson’s role in launching the post-9/11 public health preparedness program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: “Another important figure was Stewart Simonson, special counsel and long-time confidante of the secretary. He was comparatively young and new to government but a quick learner and determined to allow neither bureaucracy nor red tape to stand in the way of getting the job done. Little would have been achieved without both of them” (referring to Simonson and Dr. William Raub) D.A Henderson, MD, Smallpox: The Death of a Disease, Prometheus Books (2009), Page 191.
(see http://law.slu.edu/healthlaw/journal/archives/Simonson_Article.pdf)
Nightingale, Stuart L., Prasher, Joanna M., Simonson, Stewart. “Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Enable Use of Needed Products in Civilian and Military Emergencies, United States.” Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases 13.7 (2007): 1046-1051. (see http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/13/7/1046.htm)
Simonson, Stewart. “Advising on Publication” (Letter to Editor). Science 311.5759 (2006): 336 – 337
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
In the United States government, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response , formerly the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness , is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services....
at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He assumed office on April 28, 2004. He told the president in a resignation letter dated May 13, 2006 that he had accomplished what he had set out to do, and it was time to pursue other opportunities. Simonson joined HHS in August 2001 and was instrumental in building the HHS preparedness and response organization that grew out of the September 11th attacks.
Simonson served as the Secretary's principal advisor on matters related to bioterrorism
Bioterrorism
Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. For the use of this method in warfare, see biological warfare.-Definition:According to the...
and other public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
emergencies
Medical emergency
A medical emergency is an injury or illness that is acute and poses an immediate risk to a person's life or long term health. These emergencies may require assistance from another person, who should ideally be suitably qualified to do so, although some of these emergencies can be dealt with by the...
. He also coordinated interagency activities between HHS, other federal departments, agencies, offices and state and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population.
History
Simonson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
where he received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1986 and Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree in 1994. He is a member of the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and the District of Columbia.
After completing undergraduate studies, Simonson worked for several years on Wall Street before returning to Wisconsin to pursue a law degree. Simonson worked his way through law school at the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections. Upon graduation he was hired as Deputy Counsel to the Governor, he was soon promoted to Legal Counsel to Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
, a post he held from 1995 to 1999. Under Thompson, Simonson served as Chair of the state Pardon Advisory Board, directed the Governor's emergency management
Emergency management
Emergency management is the generic name of an interdisciplinary field dealing with the strategic organizational management processes used to protect critical assets of an organization from hazard risks that can cause events like disasters or catastrophes and to ensure the continuance of the...
efforts, directed the policy development for crime and corrections, and coordinated the state's public safety agencies.
When Thompson became chairman of the board
Chairman of the Board
The Chairman of the Board is a seat of office in an organization, especially of corporations.Chairman of the Board may also refer to:*Chairman of the Board , a 1998 film*Chairmen of the Board , a 1970s American soul music group...
at the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
) in the late 1990s, The Board of Directors appointed Simonson as corporate secretary and counsel for the company. Then, when Thompson was appointed to be Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, he brought Simonson with him to that agency as well. From 2001 to 2003 he was the HHS Deputy General Counsel and provided legal advice and counsel to the Secretary on public health preparedness matters.
Simonson also served as Special Counsel to the Secretary and acted as the Secretary's liaison to the Homeland Security Council
Homeland Security Council
The Homeland Security Council is an entity within the White House Office tasked with advising the President on matters relating to Homeland Security...
and the Department of Homeland Security
United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
. He also supervised policy development for countermeasure
Countermeasure
A countermeasure is a measure or action taken to counter or offset another one. As a general concept it implies precision, and is any technological or tactical solution or system designed to prevent an undesirable outcome in the process...
research and development programs, including Project Bioshield
Project Bioshield Act
The Project Bioshield Act was an act passed by the United States Congress in 2004 calling for $5 billion for purchasing vaccines that would be used in the event of a bioterrorist attack. This was a ten-year program to acquire medical countermeasures to biological, chemical, radiological and...
, a program to speed the manufacture of vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
s and antidote
Antidote
An antidote is a substance which can counteract a form of poisoning. The term ultimately derives from the Greek αντιδιδοναι antididonai, "given against"....
s. Since its enactment in July 2004, Project BioShield has launched nine acquisition programs including medical countermeasure
acquisition programs for all four threat agents (anthrax, smallpox, botulinum toxins, and radiological/nuclear threats) determined by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to pose material threats to the national security of the US. Of the $3.4 billion available to the program between FY04 and FY08, over $1.7 billion has already been obligated and the Strategic National Stockpile has substantially increased its holding of anthrax vaccines and medical countermeasures for radiological/nuclear threats."
Simonson was awarded the Surgeon General's Medallion in May 2006 for "Significant Collaboration with and Contributions to the USPHS Commissioned Corps Response Mission." In June 2006, Simonson received the Public Health Achievement Award from the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
"For Tireless and exceptional dedication in better preparing our nation and world against the threats of bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases, including pandemic influenza."
On May 10, 2006 the Director-General of WHO Dr. J.W. Lee wrote: "I want to add my personal congratulations for the contributions you have made to international public health since your appointment as Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness. I will be sorry to see you leave. Your personal interest in pandemic influenza has added much to our joint global preparedness and response and response activities. And without your input and actions, the new and critical International Health Regulations likely would be less robust and action – oriented. Action rather than mere words has been the hallmark of your tenure in the Department of Health and Human Services."
Controversies
Simonson's alleged lack of qualifications and of public health experience have been a target for Democrats attacking President Bush'sGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
perceived cronyism
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
, especially in light of the poor job Bush-appointee Michael D. Brown
Michael D. Brown
Michael DeWayne Brown was the first Undersecretary of Emergency Preparedness and Response , a division of the Department of Homeland Security . This position is generally referred to as the director or administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency . He was appointed in January 2003 by...
is believed to have done responding to Hurricane Katrina. Unlike Mr. Brown, Mr. Simonson 42 years old, kept his job, and remained at HHS under Mr. Thompson’s successor, Mike Leavitt. Some respected public health officials have risen to his defense, describing Mr. Simonson as a behind the scenes fixer who gets funding and political support for long-neglected public-health initiatives.
Simonson coordinated the HHS response to Hurricane Katrina and received high marks. Dr. Louis Cataldie
Louis Cataldie
Dr. Louis Cataldie was the Medical Incident Commander for the state of Louisiana, United States.Dr. Cataldie was also involved in running both the Find Family National Call Center, AKA the Family Assistance Center, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as well as the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team...
, the Louisiana State Medical Examiner, wrote in his recently released book, Coroners Journal: "I respect Stewart Simonson, Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness at the Department of Health and Human Services, who met me face-to-face and stayed true to his word. Imagine someone from D.C. being a straight guy. He has
delivered every time - not so with some of these other cover-your-ass feds." (Cataldie, Louis, Coroner's Journal, G Putnam's Sons, New York, NY (2006) Page 7.)
Some of the nation's leading scientists have been quick to defend Simonson. Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
said: "Of all the people I've worked with over my career, no one is more competent,"
“Here’s the guy who has really done a terrific job under very complicated, adverse circumstances. To have him be the target the way he has, has got to be one of the really unfair events in Washington, which is a pretty unfair place to begin with,” says Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, an HHS unit (Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2005).
D.A. Henderson, a public health expert who led the effort to wipe out smallpox in the late ‘60s and ‘70s: “The general feeling was this is someone who may be here because of political reasons, but this is a dedicated person who has the interests of the country at heart.” Dr. Henderson, who joined HHS after Sept.11, 2001, and left in 2002, says Mr. Simonson was instrumental in helping him do everything from finding office space to working on an early HHS purchase of smallpox vaccine (Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2005). In his recent book, Dr. Henderson described Simonson’s role in launching the post-9/11 public health preparedness program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: “Another important figure was Stewart Simonson, special counsel and long-time confidante of the secretary. He was comparatively young and new to government but a quick learner and determined to allow neither bureaucracy nor red tape to stand in the way of getting the job done. Little would have been achieved without both of them” (referring to Simonson and Dr. William Raub) D.A Henderson, MD, Smallpox: The Death of a Disease, Prometheus Books (2009), Page 191.
Professional Publications
Simonson, Stewart. “Reflections on Preparedness: Pandemic Planning in the Bush Administration.” Saint Louis University Journal of Health Law & Policy 4.1 (2010): 5-31.(see http://law.slu.edu/healthlaw/journal/archives/Simonson_Article.pdf)
Nightingale, Stuart L., Prasher, Joanna M., Simonson, Stewart. “Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Enable Use of Needed Products in Civilian and Military Emergencies, United States.” Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases 13.7 (2007): 1046-1051. (see http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/13/7/1046.htm)
Simonson, Stewart. “Advising on Publication” (Letter to Editor). Science 311.5759 (2006): 336 – 337
External links
- "Stewart Simonson Vice President at SRA International"
- "New Worries on BioShield Effort", The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, October 4, 2005.