Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to honor Marlene E. Haffner, MD, MPH, for her outstanding achievements, leadership qualities and the remarkable success she has attained in her field. In all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected based on their position, remarkable accomplishments, and prominence in their fields.
Pioneering Efforts in Orphan Drug Development
Dr. Haffner is the principal and founder of Haffner Associates LLC, a company dedicated to facilitating the development of therapies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of rare diseases. With more than five decades of experience in medicine and public health, Dr. Haffner has become a leading authority in orphan drug development and rare disease advocacy.
“My goal has always been to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” says Dr. Haffner. “Every job I’ve had has been an exciting growth opportunity where I felt that what I did truly mattered.”
Dr. Haffner’s illustrious career includes 21 years as the director of the Office of Orphan Products Development at the Food and Drug Administration, where she was instrumental in administering the U.S. Orphan Drug Act from 1986 to 2007. Her work has been important in developing programs for rare diseases worldwide, including the creation of the European Medicines Rare Diseases Program, assisting with the development of Japanese and Taiwanese programs and many more.
“The field of rare disease research and orphan drug development has evolved tremendously,” Dr. Haffner notes. “I’m proud to have played a role in shaping policies and programs that have brought hope to millions of patients with rare diseases.”
Distinguished Service in Public Health
Concomitant with her work at the FDA, Dr. Haffner served in the United States Public Health Service for 36 years, retiring as a Rear Admiral. Her dedication to public health also led her to spend 10 years working on the Navajo Reservation, serving as the Director of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service for seven of those years. This experience further solidified her commitment to health disparities and improving access to care for underserved populations.
Dr. Haffner’s expertise extends beyond her government service. She has held executive positions in the private sector, including roles at Amgen Inc. and FileBank Inc. Currently, she serves on the boards of several organizations dedicated to rare diseases, including the DADA2 Foundation and the Indian Organization for Rare Diseases.
She attended Case Western Reserve University, earning an MD from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 1965. She later completed a Master of Public Health in health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1991.
Reflecting on her career, Dr. Haffner offers this advice to aspiring medical professionals: “Keep your eyes open and accept challenges. In medicine, and especially in the field of rare diseases, there are always new frontiers to explore and lives to improve.”
Dr. Haffner’s contributions to the field have been widely recognized. She has received numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Organization for Rare Disorders and a Vision and Policy Award from the Canadian Organization for Rare Diseases.
As she continues her work with Haffner Associates LLC, Dr. Haffner remains dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by rare diseases, embodying the very essence of making a difference in health care and public service.
