Trump Nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director
On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Schwartz, a certified preventive medicine physician and retired Navy rear admiral, previously served as the deputy surgeon general during Trump’s first term. She has an impressive educational background that includes a medical degree from Brown University, a law degree from the University of Maryland, and a master’s in public health from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.
Previously, Schwartz held the position of director of health, safety, and work-life for the Coast Guard, where she oversaw 41 clinics and 150 hospital rooms. In this role, she gained considerable experience in managing large-scale health crises, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Trump praised her on Truth Social, referring to her as “a star” and “incredibly talented,” and highlighting that these respected doctors possess the expertise needed to restore a high standard of science at the CDC.
In 2019, at the request of then-Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, Schwartz was named U.S. Surgeon General. Throughout her career in the U.S. Coast Guard, she managed health, safety, and work-life issues and was instrumental in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines as well as vaccination policies for anthrax and smallpox. Moreover, she played a pivotal role during major responses to disasters, including the U.S. involvement in the Ebola crisis in West Africa.
The proposed leadership changes aim to replace political appointees aligned with Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism. Surprisingly, Kennedy has expressed support for Schwartz, stating he’s “looking forward” to collaborating with her. During a budget hearing on Thursday, he mentioned that the new team is poised to “revolutionize” the CDC’s operations.
Adams acknowledged Schwartz as a veteran leader with decades of public service experience, emphasizing her ability to excel as long as she can follow the science without political interference.
Admiral Paul Zukunft, a former Coast Guard commander, appointed Schwartz as chief medical officer in 2015, praising her dedication to science and effective communication skills. He noted that she was never afraid to “speak truth to power.”
Admiral Brett Giroir, who supervised Schwartz during her time on the national coronavirus testing strategy, also commended her outstanding qualifications and genuine dedication to public service.
On social media, Schwartz describes her commitment to preventive medicine and public service. In brief video posts, she touches on various health topics, including the importance of good sleep, regular health check-ups, and the benefits of staying active.
In earlier posts, she highlighted the significance of public health fundamentals like prevention and early detection, stating that if we get it right, people’s lives can change before illness sets in.
Meanwhile, Trump has appointed other key figures to the CDC’s leadership, including former Walmart executive Sean Slovenski as deputy director and Texas Health Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford as chief medical officer. Additionally, Dr. Sarah Brenner, a senior FDA official, will join the Department of Health and Human Services as a senior public health advisor.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharyya has been serving as acting CDC Director since April 2025, following the removal of Dr. Susan Monares early in her Senate-confirmed term. Bhattacharyya will continue leading the National Institutes of Health (NIH), while Schwartz is expected to take charge of the CDC for several months pending her Senate confirmation process.
