FDA History Office Also referred to as: FHO

Mission

The mission of the FDA History Office is to increase knowledge of the history, mission, and activities of the FDA and its predecessor, the Bureau of Chemistry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

The FDA History Office provides perspective on current policy objectives and increases public understanding of FDA's purpose and function. A detailed description of the office's functions was published in Federal Register notice 75 FR 7409 (p.7509) published February 19, 2010 (also posted below).

In general, office activities concern research, documentation, consultation, and providing information, including:

Research

development of historical background on legislative initiatives
creation of briefing documents on precedents to major organizational changes in the agency
background papers on policy considerations
scholarly articles and monographs on select areas of scientific and regulatory history

Documentation

oral history interviews to fill in gaps in the paper record (see below)
collection, preservation, and exhibition of museum objects illustrating the history of the agency (see below)
identification and preservation of historically significant records
development of commemorations of significant agency events and milestones

Consultation

facilitation of scholarly studies of FDA history
referee and review of articles, books, and grant applications in the general area of FDA history
promotion of accurate and informed FDA history, including sponsorship of a lecture series for FDA employees and interaction with colleagues in other government agencies and professional organizations

Information

on-the-spot information to centers, offices, and all field offices
historically related freedom of information queries
reference or guidance for industry, law firms, students, the media, foundations, historical societies, and anyone else with a question about the agency's past

FDA History Office Staff

John Swann

FDA Historian and Team Lead

Hired as Historian in 1989. Received Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin (Pharmacy and History of Science) in 1985. Specializes in the history of drugs, biologics, and their regulation.

Jason M. Chernesky

FDA Historian

Hired as historian in 2024. Jason specializes in the history medicine, public health, biomedical technologies, health policy, and child health issues. Jason received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 (History and Sociology of Science).