Kessler, David A., M.D., J.D.
(Former FDA Commissioner) appointed FDA Commissioner by President George Bush in December 1990.Dr. Kessler is currently dean of the UCSF School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs (2003 to 2007). Previously, he served as dean of the Yale University School of Medicine (1997-2003). David Kessler was a FDA Commissioner (From Dec. 1990 to 1997). He was also a Pediatrician and was appointed FDA Commissioner by President George Bush in December 1990. He obtained medical and law degrees and worked for Senator Orrin Hatch while completing pediatrics residency (AP 3/27/94). He wrote a letter in February 1994 to the Coalition for Smoking OR Health: "It is our understanding that manufacturers commonly add nicotine to cigarettes to deliver specific amounts of nicotine." (U.S. News 4/18/94). Kessler testified in 1994 that new FDA tests show that the proportion of nicotine in some brands actually goes up as the level of tar goes down, contrary to industry claims that tar and nicotine levels fall in tandem (U.S. News 4/18/94).