President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he plans to nominate Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, putting forward a longtime medical professional with both military and prior administration experience.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was “pleased to announce the new leadership” at the CDC and described Schwartz as “incredibly talented.” He highlighted her academic background, noting that she attended Brown University for both her undergraduate studies and medical school, and pointed to her additional credentials in law and public health.
Trump also emphasized her service record, writing that she spent years as a physician in the U.S. military before joining his first administration as deputy surgeon general. He spoke highly of her performance in that role, calling her a standout and expressing confidence in her ability to lead the agency.
Schwartz served as deputy surgeon general during part of Trump’s first term and remained in the position into the early months of the Biden administration. According to publicly available information, she has also been involved in the private sector, including serving on the board of Butterfly Network Inc., a medical technology company.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to the announcement by thanking Trump for the nomination and welcoming Schwartz to the role.
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump names Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next CDC Director.
He praised her military medical career and prior role as Deputy Surgeon General.
Also announced:
Sean Slovenski as Deputy Director and COO
Dr. Jennifer Shuford as Deputy Director and Chief Medical… pic.twitter.com/F1X8CmgWuD— Your Favorite President 🇺🇸 (@FavePresident) April 16, 2026
In a post on X, Kennedy said he looked forward to working with her and the incoming leadership team, adding that their focus would be on restoring trust, accountability, and scientific integrity at the CDC.
The nomination will require Senate confirmation before Schwartz can officially take over as director.
Some Republican lawmakers have already voiced support. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said he believes Schwartz will be effective in the role, criticizing the agency’s performance under the previous administration and expressing confidence that she will refocus its efforts on improving Americans’ health.
Alongside Schwartz’s nomination, Trump also announced several additional appointments to the CDC’s leadership team. Sean Slovenski has been selected as deputy director and chief operating officer, while Dr. Jennifer Shuford will serve as deputy director and chief medical officer. Dr. Sara Brenner is set to take on a role as senior counselor for public health to Kennedy.
Trump framed the broader set of appointments as part of an effort to reshape the agency, describing the incoming officials as experienced and highly qualified. He said the group would work to return the CDC to what he characterized as its core mission, with an emphasis on strengthening public health and rebuilding confidence in the institution.
