On a blue background, a cutout of Tracy Beth Hoeg is layered on a light grey inverted trapezoid -- coverage from STAT
Tracy Beth HøegPhoto illustration: Christine Kao/STAT; Screen Capture via Youtube

By Lizzy Lawrence

May 19, 2025

FDA Reporter

Lizzy Lawrence

[email protected]

Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53.

WASHINGTON — The Covid-19 pandemic was a turning point for Tracy Beth Høeg. 

Before March 2020, Høeg was a sports medicine physician focused on ultramarathon runners. Then, she rose to prominence by challenging school closures, mask mandates, and the approval of booster shots for children. 

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Now, she’s been tapped for a top role at the Food and Drug Administration, working closely with two fellow Covid contrarians — Marty Makary, the agency’s commissioner, and Vinay Prasad, the head of a key center — and advising on vaccines.

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  1. Lizzy Lawrence

    FDA Reporter

    Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53.