Trump Picks Erica Schwartz As Next CDC Head

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking a key leadership move after months of instability at the agency.

Schwartz, a rear admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard and a former deputy surgeon general during Trump’s earlier administration, brings decades of experience in public health. She has served for more than two decades in the U.S. Public Health Service and holds qualifications in medicine, law, and public health.

The CDC has been without a Senate-confirmed director since the removal of former chief Susan Monarez, who left the position after disagreements with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policies. Her departure triggered a period of uncertainty within the agency, with Jay Bhattacharya stepping in to oversee operations on an interim basis.

Trump praised Schwartz as highly capable and expressed confidence in her leadership, signaling an effort to stabilize the CDC and restore its direction during a time of policy debate and organizational change.

The agency has undergone significant restructuring in recent months under Kennedy’s leadership, including staff reductions and revisions to vaccine guidelines. These changes have sparked concern among scientists and former officials, with some resigning in protest. A federal judge also intervened earlier this year to block several vaccine policy changes from taking effect.

Schwartz’s nomination comes after an earlier attempt by Trump to appoint another candidate did not move forward due to lack of support. Her appointment is now expected to go through the confirmation process in the Senate.

If confirmed, Schwartz will take charge at a critical time for the CDC, as it navigates internal reforms, public health challenges, and ongoing debates over vaccine policy in the United States.