CDC Director Erica Schwartz pledges openness and staff empowerment in first public remarks
New CDC head Dr. Erica Schwartz told a health conference she will foster transparency and a psychologically safe environment for staff to voice concerns.
The newly confirmed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said she will prioritize accessibility and transparency as she works to restore confidence in the agency. Speaking at the Health Connect South Gathering in Atlanta, Dr. Schwartz emphasized the need for staff to feel empowered to share dissenting views.
"I want them to feel comfortable saying, ‘Dr. Schwartz, we’re going to tell you what you need to know, not what you want to know,’" she said, adding that creating a psychologically safe environment is essential for open communication.
Schwartz’s remarks come after a period of leadership turnover and internal challenges at the CDC, and she indicated that encouraging candid dialogue will be a cornerstone of her tenure.