In a nationally streamed all‑hands meeting on Wednesday, Dr. Erica Schwartz, the newly appointed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outlined her immediate priorities for the agency. Schwartz, who assumed the role last week after a series of interim leaders, emphasized that she will advocate for the CDC’s mission and work to restore public trust through “radical transparency, scientific rigor and honest communications.”
Staffing challenges and morale concerns
Schwartz acknowledged that many congressionally funded programs are effectively “zombie” operations because the staff who originally ran them were laid off during the previous administration or remain on extended leave. She noted that the agency has lost more than 3,000 employees—over a quarter of its workforce—due to layoffs and resignations, leading to low morale among remaining staff.
While she did not detail specific actions for these programs, Schwartz promised to meet with CDC employees to learn more about their concerns and explore solutions. “The good news is, I’m here,” she said. “I’m Week 1 of being here, and now I can certainly be able to advocate for the CDC.”
Relationship with the Health Secretary
Schwartz also addressed her working relationship with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She said she would not hesitate to disagree with the secretary on policy matters, but that any disagreement would be handled privately, consistent with her background in uniformed service with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Public Health Service.
Vaccine policy and upcoming task force
During the session, staff members raised questions about a recent executive order from former President Donald Trump that called for revised childhood vaccine recommendations—a proposal rooted in a discredited theory that vaccines should be spaced out over multiple visits. In response, Schwartz announced the formation of a task force on childhood vaccine safety, noting that she will serve on the panel. The task force has not yet convened but has been given a 90‑day deadline to report to the White House.
Reactions from CDC personnel
Several current and former CDC workers described Schwartz as earnest but cautioned that her leadership will be judged by concrete actions. The National Public Health Coalition, a group representing former and current CDC staff, issued a statement calling for a strong, independent leader who will follow science and place public health above political pressure. “Dr. Schwartz has spoken about rebuilding trust. That trust must be earned through action,” the coalition said.
Looking ahead
Schwartz’s tenure begins at a critical juncture for the agency, which faces ongoing political scrutiny and public skepticism. By pledging internal engagement, transparent communication, and a renewed focus on scientific integrity, she aims to stabilize the workforce and reinforce the CDC’s role as the nation’s premier public‑health institution.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
