CDC Gets First Permanent Director in Nearly a Year Amid Health Crises
Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed Wednesday as CDC director, ending a year-long leadership vacuum. She takes over an agency that has lost thousands of staff and faces measles surges and other outbreaks.
Leadership Change at US Public Health Agency
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making her the health agency's first permanent director in roughly a year. The 51-44 vote was largely split along party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats against, though Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., voted with Republicans.
A series of acting directors have led the CDC since August 2025, when Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired Monarez after 29 days in the role. Schwartz takes over from Jay Bhattacharya, who has helmed the agency since February while also directing the National Institutes of Health.
Public Health Challenges
As CDC director, Schwartz will oversee the country's public health response, including approving vaccine recommendations and helping contain disease outbreaks. She will inherit a measles crisis — the U.S. has recorded its highest number of cases in 35 years — and a growing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce. She will take command of a public health agency that has lost thousands of employees in the second Trump administration amid layoffs, resignations and leadership shakeups.
Why this matters for newcomers: If you or your family are moving to the US or already living here, understanding who leads the CDC is important for your health decisions. Schwartz's leadership will shape vaccine policy, disease tracking, and outbreak responses that directly affect you and your family. If you're pregnant, have children, or rely on vaccination information to make health choices, stay informed about CDC guidance.
Sources
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