President Donald Trump has selected Susan Monarez, PhD, as his choice to lead the CDC, according to a March 24 Truth Social post.
Here are four things to know:
1. Dr. Monarez replaces David Weldon, MD, whose nomination was withdrawn March 13 ahead of his first Senate confirmation hearing. An administration official previously told CBS News the withdrawal was because of insufficient support in the Senate.
2. Dr. Monarez has served as acting CDC director since Jan. 23, according to the agency’s website. Before that, she was deputy director of Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and previously held positions within the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Security Council, where she oversaw biomedical innovation efforts.
3. She would work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary, to prioritize “accountability, high standards, and disease prevention,” he wrote.
“Dr. Monarez brings decades of experience championing Innovation, Transparency, and strong Public Health Systems,” President Trump wrote in his post. “She has a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, and PostDoctoral training in Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine. As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities, and our future.”
4. If confirmed, Dr. Monarez would be the first CDC director to require Senate approval, a change enacted by Congress in 2022, CBS News reported March 24.
