Deputy Assistant Secretary for Healthcare Quality

Biography of Don Wright, M.D., M.P.H.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health for Healthcare Quality
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Don Wright became the first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Healthcare Quality on December 1, 2009. In this role, Dr. Wright leads the Office of Healthcare Quality within the HHS Office of the Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and has broad responsibility for enhancing the quality of healthcare provided to all Americans.

Prior to this position, Dr. Wright served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and advised the Assistant Secretary for Health on matters involving the nation's public health and science. His responsibilities included planning and execution of public health policy as it relates to disease prevention, health promotion, women's and minority health, the reduction of health disparities, the fight against HIV/AIDS, blood safety, and pandemic influenza planning.  In addition, Dr. Wright also served as Alternate United States delegate to the World Health Organization Executive Board.

In 2008, Dr. Wright was asked to chair the HHS Senior Level Steering Committee to Prevent Healthcare Associated Infections.  Through the collaborative work of this committee, the “HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections” was released in 2009.  The Action Plan identifies key actions needed to achieve and sustain progress in protecting patients from acquiring healthcare associated infection

Prior to joining HHS, Dr. Wright served as the Director of the Office of Occupational Medicine for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  In this role, Dr. Wright led an office that provided medical, toxicologic, and epidemiologic support to OSHA staff.

In response to the 9/11 terrorist attack and Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Wright organized and moderated  nationwide conferences focused on enhancing hospital emergency preparedness for  natural disasters, acts of terrorism and pandemic influenza. He developed a strong collaborative working relationship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Red Cross, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and the American Heart Association on issues related to health and safety.

Prior to entering government service, Dr. Wright was a dedicated clinician committed to the prevention of injuries and illnesses.  Dr. Wright maintained an extensive clinical and consulting practice in Central Texas for 15 years.

Dr. Wright received his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and his medical degree from the University of Texas. Dr. Wright completed his family medicine residency training at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Wright holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is board certified in both Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians.