Dr. Marty Makary is a British-American surgeon, professor, author, and medical commentator. He practices surgical oncology and gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he holds the Mark Ravitch Chair in Gastrointestinal Surgery and serves as Chief of Islet Transplant Surgery.

Early Life and Education: Born in Liverpool, England, Makary moved to the United States during childhood. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Bucknell University, a Medical Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, concentrating in health policy.

Professional Career: Makary completed his surgical residency at Georgetown University and specialized in surgical oncology and gastrointestinal surgery at Johns Hopkins under Dr. John Cameron. He has been instrumental in developing surgical safety protocols, including the World Health Organization’s Surgical Checklist. His research focuses on patient safety, medical quality, and healthcare innovation.

COVID-19 Pandemic Involvement: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Makary advocated for universal masking and adult vaccinations. He opposed broad vaccine mandates and certain non-pharmaceutical interventions in schools, emphasizing the importance of natural immunity and questioning prolonged lockdowns.

Nomination as FDA Commissioner: In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced Makary’s nomination for Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If confirmed, Makary aims to restore public trust in the FDA and address issues related to drug safety and regulatory processes.

Publications: Makary has authored several books, including:

Unaccountable (2012): Discusses transparency in healthcare.
The Price We Pay (2019): Examines healthcare costs and proposes solutions.
Blind Spots (2024): Encourages critical thinking about medical consensuses.
His writings have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Newsweek, and CNN.

Awards and Recognition: Makary has received numerous research and teaching awards, including the Best Teacher Award at Georgetown Medical School. In 2018, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Makary’s career reflects a commitment to patient safety, healthcare transparency, and innovative medical practices.