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FDA Organization

                        


                        Office of the Commissioner
          Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
          Center for Devices and Radiological Health
          Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER
          Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
          Center for Tobacco Products
          Center for Veterinary Medicine
          Office of Regulatory Affairs
          Oncology Center of Excellence
          FDA’s Proposal for a Unified Human Foods Program and New Model for the Office of Regulatory Affairs
          FDA Organization Charts Home
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          FDA Organization
          Richardae AraojoFDA Organization RDML
        
                 Richardae 
         
                
                 Araojo 
         
                        
                
                    Leadership Role
          Associate Commissioner for Minority Health - Office of Minority Health and Health Equity ( September 2017
 - January 2024
 ) 
                
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    Printphoto of RADM Richardae Araojo


            RDML Richardae  AraojoRDML Richardae Araojo serves as the Associate Commissioner for Minority Health and Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) in the Office of the Commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  In this role, RDML Araojo provides leadership, oversight, and direction on minority health and health disparity matters for the Agency. The Office of Minority Health and Health Equity aims to promote and protect the health of diverse populations through research and communication of regulatory science that addresses health disparities.

RDML Araojo previously served as the Director of the Office of Medical Policy Initiatives (OMPI) in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), where she managed the OMPI immediate office and three divisions.  She led a variety of broad-based medical and clinical policy initiatives to improve the science and efficiency of clinical trials and enhance professional and patient labeling.  RDML Araojo worked collaboratively with other FDA disciplines, program areas, and FDA centers to foster an interdisciplinary approach to policy development and to enhance the integration of the continuingly evolving science and policy into FDA’s drug development and regulatory review processes.  She provided oversight and direction for cross-cutting center and Agency working groups, as well as collaborations with external constituents, to advance medical policy development.

RDML Araojo joined FDA in 2003, where she held a number of positions in CDER’s Office of New Drugs, first serving in the Division of Psychiatry Drug Products (formerly the Division of Neuropharmacological Drug Products) and then with the Pediatric and Maternal Health Staff (currently the Division of Pediatric and Maternal Health).  She then transitioned to the Office of Medical Policy in 2010, where she served as Acting Director of the Division of Medical Policy Programs, Deputy Director of OMPI, and finally Director of OMPI.

RDML Araojo received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency with Emphasis in Community Ambulatory Care at the University of Maryland, and later earned a Master’s degree in Pharmacy Regulation and Policy from the University of Florida.

Resources For You

FDA Leadership Profiles
	Office of Minority Health and Health Equity

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      12/21/2023FDA Organization

          
                        


                        Office of the Commissioner
          Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
          Center for Devices and Radiological Health
          Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER
          Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
          Center for Tobacco Products
          Center for Veterinary Medicine
          Office of Regulatory Affairs
          Oncology Center of Excellence
          FDA’s Proposal for a Unified Human Foods Program and New Model for the Office of Regulatory Affairs
          FDA Organization Charts
 
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