Alex Azar

Alexander M. Azar II was appointed by George W. Bush as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Before this appointment, Mr. Azar served as General Counsel at HHS.

Prior to his service at the Department of Health and Human Services, Mr. Azar was a partner with the law firm of Wiley Rein in Washington, D.C. He was previously an Associate with Kirkland & Ellis.

Education and early career

Mr. Azar is a graduate of Parkside High School, Dartmouth College and Yale Law School. He later worked as a law clerk to Judge Michael Luttig and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Although a talented lawyer, Mr. Azar has no direct experience with medicine, medical science or health care.

Eli Lilly

In May 2007 Azar left the HHS to become senior vice president of corporate affairs and communication for Eli Lilly and Company, reporting directly to Chief Executive Sidney Taurel.