WASHINGTON, D.C.—The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced that Roneet Lev, MD, FACEP, an emergency physician from San Diego, California and member of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), will serve as ONDCP’s first ever Chief Medical Officer.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve the administration and the American people,” said Dr. Lev. “I will integrate my 25 years of clinical experience to work on the prevention, treatment, and enforcement aspects of drug addiction. ONDCP Director James Carroll makes is very clear that the purpose of our everyday job is to save lives—just like what emergency physicians do every shift.”

The Trump Administration recently released the 2019 National Drug Control Strategy which highlights combating the nation’s opioid abuse and misuse epidemic as one of the top priorities of this department.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Lev not only proudly represents emergency physicians in this prestigious role, but also the millions of emergency patients who rely on us every day for essential care,” said Vidor Friedman, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP. “Once again, the importance of emergency medicine is being recognized at the highest levels of government.”