President Trump Nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director

President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schwartz, a retired rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, previously served as the Coast Guard's Chief Medical Officer and as Deputy Surgeon General from 2019 to 2021. She holds medical and law degrees from Brown University and the University of Maryland, respectively.

In his announcement, President Trump described Schwartz as "incredibly talented" and "a STAR!"

The CDC has experienced leadership instability since August, following the dismissal of former director Susan Monarez after a brief tenure. Monarez's departure was linked to disagreements with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy changes.

Schwartz's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. If confirmed, she will be the fourth person to lead the CDC in just over a year, reflecting ongoing challenges within the agency.

In addition to Schwartz's nomination, President Trump announced the appointments of Sean Slovenski as the CDC's Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jennifer Shuford as Chief Medical Director, and Dr. Sara Brenner as Senior Counselor for Public Health for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The CDC has been without a permanent director since August. The Trump administration's first pick, former Rep. Dave Weldon of Florida, was withdrawn in March 2025 after Republican senators indicated he would not be confirmed.

Schwartz's nomination comes as the CDC faces controversial policy changes under Health Secretary Kennedy, particularly regarding vaccine recommendations. A Massachusetts federal judge recently halted many of the vaccine policy changes initiated by Kennedy's CDC vaccine advisory panel, blocking the overhaul of the vaccination schedule. The agency has yet to appeal the ruling.