Fast-breaking News from AABB PulsePoints The following has been reproduced from the May 31, 2006 AABB PulsePoints, an electronic news alert provided by the American Association of Blood Banks.

May 31, 2006
No. 745

FDA Appoints Acting Chief of Blood and Plasma Branch

AABB PulsePoints

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the appointment of retired Army Col. Gary Norris, MSC, MT(ASCP)SBB, MPA, MS, as acting chief of the Blood and Plasma Branch within the Division of Blood Applications (DBA) of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). This appointment is in effect for 120 days.

Norris joined the DBA last summer immediately following his Army retirement, working in the Regulatory Projects Management (RPM) Branch, where he “distinguished himself in learning and carrying out the regulatory project management role,” according to Alan Williams, PhD, director of the DBA. His long and distinguished career at the U.S. Department of Defense culminated with his service from 2001 to 2005 as director of the U.S. Army Blood Program, which oversees the operations, management and regulatory compliance of 34 FDA licensed and/or registered transfusion services, blood banks and blood donor centers worldwide.

Sharyn Orton, MSPH, MT(ASCP)SBB, PhD, who had overseen the Blood and Plasma Branch while the position was vacant, continues her responsibilities as deputy director of DBA.