Cummings, who was one of Obama's early supporters in Congress, said Sharfstein would "be ideal" in the post - except that the city would lose an important leader in public health.
"I'm telling you, I have the highest confidence in this guy," Cummings said. "And I'm not saying it lightly. I think it's because he really cares. He truly cares. He synchronizes his conduct with his conscience."
In a statement, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon said she is proud that Sharfstein is working with Obama but hopes it won't be permanent.
"He understands that there is more work to be done to make Baltimore a healthier and safer city, and I want him to be a part of our plans as we move the city forward," she said.
Finding the right person to run the FDA can be a "balancing act," said Les Funtleyder, a health care strategist for Miller Tabak + Co. in New York. Those in the pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies are looking for one thing, consumer groups another.
"I think that is a tough job, maybe I'll say thankless job," said Funtleyder, whose book, Healthcare Investing: Profiting from the New World of Pharma, Biotech, and Health Care Services, is set to be published in January.
"Everyone's against you. If you're too slow, industry and analysts get mad at you. If you're too fast and something slips through the cracks [with regard] to safety ... you end up being investigated by Congress."
Baltimore Sun reporter Annie Linskey contributed to this article.
DR. JOSHUA MOSES SHARFSTEIN
Age: 39
Positions:
Baltimore health commissioner, 2005 to present
Health policy adviser to Rep. Henry A. Waxman, 2001-2005
Education:
B.A., Harvard College, 1991.
M.D., Harvard Medical School, 1996.
Combined residency in pediatrics, Children's Hospital Boston and Boston Medical Center, 1996-1999.
Fellowship, Boston University School of Medicine, 1999-2001.
