Thomas R. Frieden

Dr. Thomas R. Frieden became the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in January of 2002. During his time serving the city, Dr. Frieden has worked to ban smoking in public places and fought to make testing for H.I.V a part of regular medical examinations. Dr. Frieden supported a program that provides 35 million condoms annually.NYC Health Department: Biography of Thomas R. Frieden, Md, Mph : the Commissioner

On May 15, 2009, President Barack Obama named Dr. Frieden as the director of the CDC. Dr. Frieden's appointment does not require the confirmation of the U.S. Senate.The New York Times: New York City Official Is Obama Pick for C.D.C. (May 15, 2009)

1. Worked to ban smoking in NYC bars and restaurantsDiner's Journal Blog (NYT): Q and A With Thomas Frieden (January 27, 2009)
2. Urged manufacturers to limit salt in processed foodsDiner's Journal Blog (NYT): Q and A With Thomas Frieden (January 27, 2009)
3. Oversaw efforts to ban trans fat and to require fast food chains to list the calories of their productsDiner's Journal Blog (NYT): Q and A With Thomas Frieden (January 27, 2009)
4. Pressured bodegas (small grocery stores) to sell low-fat milkDiner's Journal Blog (NYT): Q and A With Thomas Frieden (January 27, 2009)
5. Launched NYC's Electronic Health Record ProjectNYC Health Department: Biography of Thomas R. Frieden, Md, Mph : the Commissioner
6. Oversaw a $1.7 billion annual health budget in NYCNYC Health Department: Biography of Thomas R. Frieden, Md, Mph : the Commissioner
7. The NYC Health Department has over 6,000 employeesNYC Health Department: Biography of Thomas R. Frieden, Md, Mph : the Commissioner