Scott Gottlieb, M.D., Joins UnitedHealth Group Board of Directors

Scott Gottlieb, M.D., former FDA Commissioner, has joined UnitedHealth Group's Board of Directors, effective immediately as of November 18, 20251246.

Gottlieb is recognized for his leadership at the FDA (2017–2019), where he promoted transparency, encouraged medical innovation, and tackled public health issues such as pharmaceutical competition, the opioid epidemic, and youth tobacco use21.

In addition to his FDA service, Gottlieb has served at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Federal Health Information Technology Policy Committee, and as a practicing physician. He also holds roles as a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and partner at New Enterprise Associates12.

Gottlieb’s appointment signals UnitedHealth Group's push for greater innovation, use of technology, and focus on integrated, patient-centered, and value-based care within its benefits (UnitedHealthcare) and care delivery (Optum) divisions12.

Both UnitedHealth Group leadership and Gottlieb emphasized the objective of making medical breakthroughs widely accessible, fostering affordable and outcome-driven care, and influencing how healthcare policy and innovation intersect in the U.S.12.

Gottlieb’s expertise is expected to reinforce UnitedHealth’s strategic positioning as healthcare regulation and technology continue to evolve1.

Sources:

1. https://marketchameleon.com/articles/b/2025/11/18/scott-gottlieb-joins-unitedhealth-group-board-health-policy-expertise

2. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251118308409/en/Scott-Gottlieb-M.D.-Joins-UnitedHealth-Group-Board-of-Directors

4. https://www.americanhhm.com/news/scott-gottlieb-md-joins-unitedhealth-group-board-of-directors

6. https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/former-fda-commissioner-scott-gottlieb-joins-unitedhealth-board-93CH-4364762