The CDC, which went through a gamut of leaders in 2025, could soon be led by either a Johns Hopkins Medicine cardiologist or a former Kentucky governor, according to reports from Bloomberg and The Washington Post.
National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, currently serves as the CDC’s acting director, but his temporary position expires March 26 unless the White House submits a nominee, according to the Post.
Dr. Bhattacharya assumed the role Feb. 18 after months of leadership changes, which included HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and Susan Monarez, PhD, who was fired within one month. Dr. Monarez replaced the administration’s first pick — David Weldon, MD, a physician and former Congressman — who reportedly failed to receive support from the Senate before his first confirmation hearing.
The White House is seriously considering about half a dozen people as its nominee, the Post reported March 22. Citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported March 20 two of the top contenders:
- Ernie Fletcher, MD, a family physician, former governor of Kentucky and the co-founder and chief medical officer of a nonprofit focused on addiction and homelessness
- Joseph Marine, MD, vice director of operations for the cardiology division at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, as well as section chief of cardiology for Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
The Post reported a third person under consideration:
- Daniel Edney, MD, the state health officer for Mississippi’s health department who trained in internal medicine
