New CDC Director Pledges Advocacy Amid Staff Shortages and Burnout
The new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Erica Schwartz, addressed her first major staff meeting by pledging to advocate for the agency. She acknowledged staff shortages and burnout at the CDC due to congressionally funded programs lacking personnel.
Dr. Schwartz, who commenced her role leading the Atlanta-based federal health agency last week, indicated her willingness to challenge U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. when needed. However, she stated she would not do so publicly. Her actions will be shaped by her military background, preferring private discussions over public disagreements.
During an address to CDC employees, recorded by the Associated Press, Schwartz highlighted an AP report about CDC programs hindered by workforce reductions during President Donald Trump’s administration. She expressed her intent to meet with staff to discover solutions for what she termed “zombie” programs and address exhaustion among employees.
Schwartz promised to advocate for the CDC now that she is in her role, noting that previous leadership deficiencies hindered advocacy initiatives. Her background includes roles with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Public Health Service, and she emphasized a commitment to building public trust through transparency, scientific rigor, and honest communication.
She is the 22nd leader of the CDC, which focuses on protecting Americans from health threats. Schwartz is stepping into a challenging environment with over 3,000 layoffs and resignations, which account for more than a quarter of the workforce. This has drained morale as the agency faced a series of temporary leaders and political appointees without medical expertise.
Under Kennedy, known for anti-vaccine stances, actions were taken that contradicted CDC recommendations. This included dissolving an advisory committee and forming his panel with vaccine skeptics. Questions also arose about President Trump’s executive order on childhood vaccine recommendations. Schwartz mentioned the formation of a task force on vaccine safety, which is expected to report in 90 days.
Reception among current and past CDC employees to Schwartz’s statements varies. Some hope her sincerity translates into action. The National Public Health Coalition, comprising former and current CDC staff, issued a statement that urges strong, science-based leadership. They stressed that trust in Schwartz will require tangible action to uphold public health expertise over political influence.
This account is part of the Associated Press’s Health and Science coverage, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.