The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), filling a leadership vacancy that has persisted for months at the public health agency.
Schwartz was confirmed in a 51-44 vote on Wednesday. At 54 years old, she becomes the 22nd leader of the Atlanta-based agency, which is responsible for protecting the nation from preventable health threats. Her appointment marks the first confirmed director for the CDC in nearly a year. Schwartz's professional background includes both medical and law degrees, experience as deputy surgeon general, and a leadership role within the U.S. Coast Guard.
| Erica Schwartz attends her nomination hearing to become Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During her nomination hearing last month before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Schwartz faced scrutiny regarding her willingness to challenge political directives from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if they contradicted scientific and public health principles. However, Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., later indicated that discussions with Schwartz and others had bolstered his confidence in her leadership.
The CDC has experienced significant disruption since the current administration took office. The agency has seen a substantial loss of personnel, with more than 3,000 employees leaving through layoffs and resignations, representing over a quarter of its workforce. Morale has reportedly declined due to a series of temporary leaders and a front office staffed by political appointees lacking public health or medical expertise.
When Schwartz's nomination was announced in April, public health experts expressed cautious optimism due to her extensive background. Observers also noted that she was President Trump’s selection for the role, rather than a choice of Kennedy, who has been a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement.
Schwartz is the third nominee for CDC director put forward by the Trump administration in the past 18 months. The first nominee, Dr. David Weldon, a former Florida congressman, had his Senate hearing canceled in March 2025, reportedly due to insufficient support. The second nominee, Susan Monarez, who had been serving as acting director, was confirmed by the Senate but removed from her position in less than a month. Administration officials cited a lack of alignment with the president's agenda as the reason for her termination. Since then, several officials from the Department of Health and Human Services have served as acting CDC director.
The CDC leadership position was among several vacancies in federal health agencies, including roles such as the U.S. surgeon general and the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.