Susan F. Wood, a prominent public health advocate, passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 66. Wood earned her Ph.D. in biology from Boston University in 1989 and served as the Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health at the FDA from 2000 to 2005. She resigned in 2005 to protest delays in approving over-the-counter access to the emergency contraceptive Plan B, highlighting concerns over political interference in scientific decisions.
After leaving the FDA, Wood joined George Washington University as a professor and directed the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. She continued to advocate for women's health and scientific integrity throughout her career. In 2017, Wood moved to Scotland with her family and was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2023. Susan F. Wood's legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to scientific integrity and women's health advocacy. Read about her work here