HHS Announces Five New Agency Leaders to Advance MAHA Goals

WASHINGTON — NOV. 24, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced five new agency leaders who will serve our nation’s families and advance goals to Make America Healthy Again. Four of these five presidential appointees required and recently received Senate confirmation.

“I promised President Trump I would deliver meaningful reform at HHS and improve the health and well-being of every American. Fulfilling that commitment includes placing strong, capable leaders where they can make the greatest impact,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Each of these appointees brings a record of achievement, leadership, and a deep dedication to restoring the nation’s health and wellness.”

Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health

Brian Christine, MD, is an internationally recognized leader in men’s health. His medical practice is a renowned global Center of Excellence. In addition, Dr. Christine has published peer-reviewed research, lectured widely, and trained surgeons internationally. He is a member of the American Urologic Association, Sexual Medicine Society of North America, the International Society for Sexual Medicine, and the International Continence Society. Dr. Christine earned his M.D. from Emory University and completed his residency in urology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. On October 7, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed him as Assistant Secretary.

As Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Christine is focused on restoring trust in public health, radical transparency, and tackling the epidemic. His leadership emphasizes putting patients first, strengthening the integrity of public health institutions, and ensuring that every American has the opportunity to live a healthier, more fulfilling life. Dr. Christine also leads the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one of the nation’s eight uniformed services, composed of more than 5,000 public health professionals dedicated to protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the nation.

 “Dr. Christine joins HHS as a prominent voice in men’s health,” Secretary Kennedy said. “His leadership is helping restore Americans’ trust in public health.”

“I am honored to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Health at this pivotal time,” said Dr. Christine. “Americans are facing a healthcare crisis that demands we put patients at the center of every decision. My priorities will be restoring trust in public health, radical transparency, and advancing chronic disease prevention. By putting patients first, we can ensure every American has the opportunity to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.”

Alex J. Adams, PharmD, MPH, Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Administration for Children and Families

Alex Adams brings years of health, human services, education, and regulatory expertise to his new role. Prior to leading ACF, Mr. Adams spent more than ten years in Idaho state government as Governor Brad Little’s budget and regulatory director and state Department of Health & Welfare director. He made significant efforts to improve Idaho’s child welfare system, enacting kin-specific licensing standards, announcing paid family leave for foster parents, extending foster care to age 23, and overseeing recruitment and retention of foster homes. Mr. Adams received his undergraduate and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Toledo and his Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. On October 7, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed him as Assistant Secretary.

“Alex is a proven, compassionate leader who consistently delivers meaningful results for children and families,” Secretary Kennedy said. “I am confident he will prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable as we work to Make America Healthy Again.”

“Every child deserves a family, and every family deserves the opportunity to achieve the American dream,” Assistant Secretary Adams said. “I am deeply honored to lead ACF and work alongside hundreds of dedicated public servants to achieve meaningful change for America’s children and families.” 

Gustav Chiarello, Assistant Secretary Financial Resources

Gustav Chiarello previously served as Senior Special Counsel to the House Committee on the Judiciary, chaired by Representative Jim Jordan. He served on the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, chaired by Rep. Scott Fitzgerald. Before that, Mr. Chiarello served as an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and as an Attorney Advisor to Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen during the first Trump Administration. He received his undergraduate degree from the Catholic University of America and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a law degree from George Mason University. On October 7, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed him as Assistant Secretary.

“Gus comes to HHS with a clear mandate: ensure every taxpayer dollar advances better health outcomes,” Secretary Kennedy said. “His leadership will strengthen our stewardship of public resources.”

“I learned that good policy comes from asking good questions, and I look forward to capitalizing on my experience and background to bring health care spending under control, to generate greater access to care and important medicines, to revitalizing the science behind our healthcare, and thereby spur the mission to promote a healthier America,” Assistant Secretary Chiarello said.

Michael Stuart, General Counsel

A former United States Attorney as nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2017, Mike Stuart directed and led all federal enforcement throughout the southern district of West Virginia and was intricately involved in the planning and execution of major, and often historic, law enforcement actions through the greater Appalachian region and across the country. His record as the United States Attorney was one of action, including the historic first-ever prosecution of members of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the largest elder fraud takedown in the history of West Virginia, the largest Medicaid fraud prosecution in the history of West Virginia, a landmark agreement with the State of West Virginia regarding disabled children and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the single largest law enforcement drug takedown in the history of West Virginia (Operation Saigon Sunset in Huntington, WV), and removing enough fentanyl from the streets of West Virginia to kill more than 40 million people. Mr. Stuart led many critical white collar, fraud, and violent crime initiatives and actions.

The son and grandson of coal miners, Mr. Stuart's experience of business, government, and law at the highest levels includes: former certified public accountant for a leading international accounting firm, Chair of the West Virginia Republican Party, partner at two major national law firms (including Co-Chair of the Corporate practice at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC), former United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, State Senator and Chair of the West Virginia State Senate Judiciary Committee, and founder and managing member of Vandalia Law PLLC. Mike received his law degree from the Boston University School of Law. On October 7, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed him as HHS General Counsel.

“Mike is an accomplished lawyer and a steadfast advocate for the American people,” Secretary Kennedy said. “As General Counsel, he will deliver the legal leadership we need to drive meaningful regulatory reform.”

“I have an uncommon background to the role of General Counsel at an uncommon time for America,” said Mr. Stuart. “As the 23rd General Counsel for HHS and as the only former United States Attorney to serve in the role of General Counsel, I bring a sharp scalpel and a fierce determination to issues like fraud, waste and abuse.  I know fraud and abuse because I prosecuted it on a historic scale. Every step of my career has led to this opportunity and every experience has prepared me for the extensive breadth of opportunity to support President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and agency leadership in rebuilding HHS, Making America Healthy Again, and renewing the American Dream in support of the American people.”

Alicia Jackson, Ph.D., Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

Alicia Jackson joins ARPA-H from Evernow, a company she founded and led as CEO, focused on transforming women’s health and longevity. Previously, she served as a Program Manager and subsequently Deputy Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Biological Technologies Office, guiding an investment portfolio across biodefense, novel medicine development, and biomanufacturing to protect the nation while advancing groundbreaking scientific capabilities. She has served as a Senate policy advisor, as well as co-founder, Board Member, and advisor of several biotech and health startups, including OOVA, ImmuneBridge, and Drawbridge Health. Dr. Jackson holds a Ph.D. in materials science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Alicia is a visionary whose leadership at ARPA-H will accelerate the biotechnology breakthroughs we need to tackle our most complex health challenges,” Secretary Kennedy said.

“I am honored to lead ARPA-H, bringing together the world’s best innovators to rapidly tackle the hardest health challenges facing Americans today,” said Director Jackson. “Our goal is to make the impossible, probable, and change the course of human health.  It is incredible to be part of an administration that is doing more to promote women’s health, especially for those over 40, than any other. Together with Secretary Kennedy, I look forward to expanding opportunities for innovation and advancing the technology our nation needs to take control of our health.”