Former Deputy Surgeon General Nominated as New CDC Chief

Erica Schwartz, a former Navy physician, is Trump's pick to lead the public health agency after a tumultuous year.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:15pm

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A ghostly, glowing X-ray image revealing the internal structure of a CDC building or medical equipment, conceptually illustrating the agency's need to rebuild trust through evidence-based science.An X-ray view of the CDC's inner workings aims to restore faith in the public health agency after a turbulent year.Atlanta Today

The White House has nominated Erica Schwartz, a former Navy physician and deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration, to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Schwartz will take over the agency after a year of upheaval that has seen multiple leadership changes and the departure of expert personnel.

Why it matters

Schwartz's nomination comes at a critical time for the CDC, which has faced questions over its vaccine decision-making and seen its headquarters attacked. Her background in public health and medicine could help stabilize the agency and restore its focus on evidence-based science.

The details

Schwartz previously served as a rear admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard, where she led health initiatives including anthrax and smallpox vaccination campaigns. She has a medical degree, a master's in public health, and a law degree. The White House announcement also named two new senior officials at the CDC and another at the Department of Health and Human Services.

  • In August 2025, the previous CDC director, Susan Monarez, was fired less than a month into her term.
  • In March 2026, bullet holes from a gunman's attack on the CDC headquarters in Atlanta were still visible in the building's windows.

The players

Erica Schwartz

A former Navy physician and rear admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard, who served as deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration. She has been nominated to lead the CDC.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services secretary, who fired the previous CDC chief, Susan Monarez, in August 2025 for allegedly pushing back against his plans to overhaul the country's vaccine policies.

Susan Monarez

The former CDC director who was fired less than a month into her term in August 2025.

Jay Bhattacharya

The National Institutes of Health director who has been leading the CDC on an acting basis since Monarez's departure.

Georges C. Benjamin

The chief executive officer of the American Public Health Association, the largest U.S. organization for public health officials.

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What they’re saying

“It is my Honor to nominate the incredibly talented Dr. Erica Schwartz. She is a STAR!”

— Donald Trump

“Schwartz possesses the medical background and public health knowledge to understand that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must be guided by evidence-based science. We look forward to working with Dr. Schwartz to ensure we use the best science and evidence to improve the nation's health.”

— Georges C. Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer, American Public Health Association

What’s next

Schwartz's nomination will now go through Senate confirmation hearings, where questions over the CDC's vaccine decision-making under the previous administration are likely to be a focus.

The takeaway

Schwartz's nomination reflects an effort by the Trump administration to stabilize the CDC and restore its focus on science-based public health policies after a tumultuous year marked by leadership changes and an attack on the agency's headquarters.