Dr. Peter L. Beilenson, who preceded Sharfstein as Baltimore's health commissioner, said Sharfstein's successor should be a passionate advocate who can work with numerous city agencies.
"You have got to be willing to look across services, not just health, if you want to affect issues," said Beilenson, who now heads the Howard County Health Department.
Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, who worked closely with Sharfstein on an anti-crime program run out of the Health Department, said the city needs "a Josh Sharfstein clone."
"Beyond being smart and a good doctor, we need someone who is committed to a whole lot of action," he said. "You have to be down in the dirt and personally involved."
Sharfstein, who came to Baltimore in 2005, emerged as a candidate for the FDA after leading an assessment of the agency for the Obama transition team. As city health chief, he convinced the FDA there was little evidence cold and cough medicines worked in children younger than 4, created a 24-hour system to ensure access to prescription drugs during the transition to Medicare Part D and led a ban on the use of lead in candy, cosmetics and jewelry sold in the city.
