NIH Director to Temporarily Lead CDC

Jay Bhattacharya will serve as acting CDC director, reports say.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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According to the New York Times, Jay Bhattacharya, the current director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will temporarily take on the role of acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Why it matters

This move comes as the CDC has faced criticism over its pandemic response, and the Biden administration is looking to shake up the agency's leadership. Bhattacharya's appointment as acting director could signal a shift in the CDC's priorities and approach.

The details

The New York Times report cites two unnamed administration officials as the source of this information. Bhattacharya, a physician and professor at Stanford University, has been the director of the NIH since 2021.

  • On February 18, 2026, the New York Times reported that Bhattacharya would serve as acting CDC director.

The players

Jay Bhattacharya

The director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2021, and a physician and professor at Stanford University.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The leading national public health institute in the United States.

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What’s next

The Biden administration has not yet confirmed Bhattacharya's appointment or provided details on how long he will serve as acting CDC director.

The takeaway

This move signals a potential shift in the CDC's leadership and priorities as the agency faces ongoing criticism over its pandemic response. Bhattacharya's background in public health and medicine could bring a new perspective to the CDC's operations.