{"id":53319,"date":"2026-04-16T18:50:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T22:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-taps-former-deputy-surgeon-general-to-head-troubled-cdc\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T18:50:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T22:50:38","slug":"trump-taps-former-deputy-surgeon-general-to-head-troubled-cdc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-taps-former-deputy-surgeon-general-to-head-troubled-cdc\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump Taps Former Deputy Surgeon General to Head Troubled CDC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776379838331.jpg?resize=1000%2C666&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776379838331.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776379838331.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776379838331.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>President Donald Trump announced Thursday his selection of Erica Schwartz, who previously held the position of deputy surgeon general, to serve as the next head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p><p>Trump praised Schwartz on social media, calling her &#8220;incredibly talented&#8221; and declaring, &#8220;She is a STAR!&#8221;<\/p><p>The federal health agency, headquartered in Atlanta and tasked with safeguarding Americans against preventable disease outbreaks, has experienced significant leadership instability since Trump took office more than a year ago, cycling through multiple acting directors.<\/p><p>Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. oversees the organization and had initially pledged to maintain existing vaccination protocols. However, after assuming his role, Kennedy announced plans to review childhood immunization guidelines and attempted major changes to pediatric vaccine recommendations. A federal judge recently halted some of these initiatives.<\/p><p>The administration initially chose former Florida Representative Dr. David Weldon to lead the CDC, but his Senate confirmation hearing scheduled for March 2025 was abruptly cancelled just one hour beforehand. Weldon later revealed he was informed that insufficient senators supported his nomination.<\/p><p>The White House subsequently turned to Susan Monarez, who had been filling the acting director role. While the Senate confirmed Monarez, she was removed from the position within a month. Trump administration officials stated her termination resulted from misalignment with their priorities.<\/p><p>Multiple senior CDC scientists stepped down in protest following Monarez&#8217;s removal, expressing concern that her dismissal eliminated hopes for agency leadership that could protect scientific research and health guidance from political interference.<\/p><p>Following this upheaval, the agency has seen constant turnover in leadership, with various Health and Human Services officials from Washington temporarily filling the acting director position. Jay Bhattacharya, who directs the National Institutes of Health, has been managing CDC operations in recent weeks.<\/p><p>Speaking at a House Appropriations Committee session Thursday, Kennedy praised the incoming CDC leadership team as &#8220;extraordinary.&#8221;<\/p><p>&#8220;I think this new team is really going to be able to revolutionize CDC and get it back on track,&#8221; he said.<\/p><p>Schwartz brings extensive educational background to the role, having earned both medical and legal degrees. Her professional experience centers primarily on military service, including a leadership role with the U.S. Coast Guard where she managed operations for 41 medical facilities and 150 treatment centers.<\/p><p>In her subsequent role as deputy surgeon general, she helped direct uniformed healthcare professionals stationed at the CDC and other federal health agencies serving American citizens.<\/p><p>Attempts to reach Schwartz for comment were unsuccessful.<\/p><p>Trump simultaneously announced additional appointments: Sean Slovenski, a former Walmart executive, will serve as CDC deputy director and chief operating officer. Dr. Jennifer Shuford, currently Texas health commissioner, received the appointment as CDC deputy director and chief medical officer. Dr. Sara Brenner, previously with the Food and Drug Administration, was designated as Kennedy&#8217;s senior public health counselor.<\/p><p>Kennedy celebrated these appointments on social media Thursday, expressing his anticipation for collaborative efforts to &#8220;restore trust, accountability, and scientific integrity&#8221; within the CDC.<\/p><p>However, Aaron Siri, an attorney and Kennedy associate known for challenging vaccines and pharmaceutical companies, voiced opposition to Schwartz&#8217;s selection. Siri criticized her history of supporting vaccination programs and claimed &#8220;she lacks the basic ethics and morals to lead the CDC.&#8221;<\/p><p>This nomination occurs while Dr. Casey Means, Trump&#8217;s choice for U.S. surgeon general, continues facing confirmation challenges.<\/p><p>The prolonged delay in confirming Means following her February confirmation hearing demonstrates the bipartisan congressional concerns regarding Kennedy&#8217;s departmental direction.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Trump has selected Erica Schwartz, who previously served as deputy surgeon general, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nomination comes after months of leadership upheaval at the federal health agency under the Trump administration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":53318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[837],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776379838331.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-dRZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":53229,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-picks-erica-schwartz-to-lead-cdc-after-agency-shake-ups\/","url_meta":{"origin":53319,"position":0},"title":"Trump Picks Erica Schwartz to Lead CDC After Agency Shake-ups","author":"Admin","date":"April 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Trump has selected former Deputy Surgeon General Erica Schwartz to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nomination comes after several leadership changes at the health agency, including the firing of the previous director last August.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776370989353.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776370989353.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776370989353.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776370989353.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776370989353.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53235,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-picks-former-deputy-surgeon-general-to-lead-cdc-amid-agency-upheaval\/","url_meta":{"origin":53319,"position":1},"title":"Trump Picks Former Deputy Surgeon General to Lead CDC Amid Agency Upheaval","author":"Admin","date":"April 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Trump has selected Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nomination comes after months of leadership instability at the federal health agency, with multiple acting directors cycling through the position.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776371966839.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776371966839.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776371966839.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776371966839.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52195,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/biden-administration-eyes-trump-era-official-to-head-cdc\/","url_meta":{"origin":53319,"position":2},"title":"Biden Administration Eyes Trump-Era Official to Head CDC","author":"Admin","date":"April 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Biden administration is reportedly considering Erica Schwartz, who previously served as deputy U.S. surgeon general under Donald Trump, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Washington Post reported the potential selection based on anonymous sources familiar with the administration's plans.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776219726677.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":61388,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/kennedy-shifts-focus-from-vaccines-to-food-policy-before-midterm-elections\/","url_meta":{"origin":53319,"position":3},"title":"Kennedy Shifts Focus from Vaccines to Food Policy Before Midterm Elections","author":"Admin","date":"May 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pivoting away from controversial vaccine policies to focus on food initiatives and other health wins that could help Republicans in November's midterm elections. The White House has reportedly asked Kennedy to halt vaccine-related actions after polling showed strong bipartisan support for childhood immunizations.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777890339620.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66073,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/health-department-leadership-crisis-deepens-as-fda-chief-steps-down\/","url_meta":{"origin":53319,"position":4},"title":"Health Department Leadership Crisis Deepens as FDA Chief Steps Down","author":"Admin","date":"May 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Dr. Marty Makary's resignation from the FDA adds to a growing leadership void at the Department of Health and Human Services. Multiple key health agency positions remain unfilled or occupied by temporary officials, raising concerns about the department's ability to respond effectively to public health emergencies.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Health&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778690352486.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778690352486.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778690352486.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778690352486.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":59884,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trump-withdraws-surgeon-general-pick-casey-means-nominates-nicole-saphier-instead\/","url_meta":{"origin":53319,"position":5},"title":"Trump Withdraws Surgeon General Pick Casey Means, Nominates Nicole Saphier Instead","author":"Admin","date":"April 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"President Trump has withdrawn Casey Means' nomination for surgeon general after her confirmation stalled in the Senate due to questions about her vaccine positions and medical experience. Trump announced Thursday he will nominate Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier, a breast cancer specialist, for the nation's top doctor position instead.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777570850696.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777570850696.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777570850696.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777570850696.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}