Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge Becomes 12th National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator

Topics:  Jeffrey W. Runge

NHTSA
August 3, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 3, 2001
NHTSA 42-01
Contact: Liz Neblett
Tel. No.: (202) 366-9550

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today welcomed Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge to the U.S. Department of Transportation following his Senate confirmation as the 12th administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"Jeff's extensive background of research, education, and hands-on experience will make him a triple asset to the department," said Secretary Mineta. "I look forward to working with him as we meet the challenge of reducing death and injury on the nation's highways."

Dr. Runge is a nationally recognized physician expert in motor vehicle injury care and prevention. A researcher and educator in emergency medicine, he has focused on the area of injury prevention and control, with a particular interest in motor vehicle injuries. His passion for reducing injuries comes from being a clinician in North Carolina's busiest trauma center, treating over 30,000 injuries yearly, 10,000 of which are motor vehicle-related.

As NHTSA Administrator, Dr. Runge will lead an agency of more than 600 employees with a $403 million annual budget. The agency is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

Dr. Runge is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has served on the faculty of the Emergency Medicine Residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., since 1984. His undergraduate degree is from University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1981 and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Charlotte Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in 1984. He was most recently the Director of the Carolinas Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Dr. Runge is on the Trauma Care and Injury Control Committee and the Research Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He has been the president of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians and the Speaker of the North Carolina Medical Society.

Dr. Runge and his wife, Ginny, have two children: Emily, 18, and Will, 14.

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