Dr. Erica Schwartz Confirmed as CDC’s First Official Director in a Year

The CDC now has a Senate-confirmed director for the first time in a year, restoring permanent leadership to the nation’s leading public health agency. The Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer who is the first Black woman to lead the CDC.

Schwartz brings extensive experience overseeing vaccination programs and crisis responses after a year of interim leadership following Susan Monarez’s removal.

Her confirmation comes amid scrutiny over CDC autonomy, vaccine-related information and the agency’s ability to maintain evidence-based public health decision-making. Read more from CNN Health here.