David A. Kessler is an American physician and lawyer known for his role as the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 1990 to 1997. During his tenure, he focused on improving food safety and regulating tobacco products, making significant changes to public health policies. After leaving the FDA, Kessler became a prominent advocate for health issues and authored several books, including "A Question of Intent," which discusses the FDA's role in regulating the pharmaceutical industry. He has also served as a professor at Georgetown University and has been involved in various health-related initiatives.