2026 AADA Legislative Conference: Keynote speaker
Keynote speaker
Alex Azar, 24th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Monday, Sept. 14, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Alex Azar was the 24th secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. He was the architect of Operation Warp Speed, delivering COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics in record time. Mr. Azar led the historic transformation of the health care system in the United States and HHS’s response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. He drove U.S. Government efforts to tackle the opioid crisis, increase private insurance options, bring transparency of price and quality information to health care, and expand telehealth. Mr. Azar also led key public health initiatives such as banning flavored e-cigarettes, creating and implementing a program to end the HIV epidemic in America in 10 years, and preparing for and responding to public health threats. Additionally, Mr. Azar has played significant roles on the global health stage, leading many of the U.S.’s global health security efforts, representing the U.S. in the World Health Assembly, working with the WHO to end Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, chairing the most active G7 health ministerial in history in 2020, and convening and leading western hemisphere coordinated efforts to assist with the Venezuelan refugee crisis.
