Kennedy Swears in Susan Monarez as CDC Director
A New Era for Public Health: Dr. Susan Monarez Takes the Helm at the CDC
WASHINGTON D.C. - August 2, 2025 – In a meaningful development for national health security, Dr. Susan Monarez was officially sworn in today as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. administered the oath of office,marking the beginning of a new chapter for the agency under its first Senate-confirmed director. This appointment arrives at a critical juncture, as global health landscapes continue to evolve, demanding robust leadership and innovative strategies to safeguard public well-being.
Dr. Monarez brings a wealth of experience,honed over decades of frontline work in disaster preparedness,biosecurity,and health innovation. Her tenure is poised to steer the CDC toward its core mission: preventing disease and defending against health threats, both domestically and internationally. This aligns with President Trump and Secretary kennedy’s overarching vision to “Make America Healthy Again,” emphasizing a proactive and science-driven approach to public health.
“Dr.Monarez is a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials,” stated Secretary Kennedy. ”I have full confidence in her ability to restore the CDC’s role as the most trusted authority in public health and to strengthen our nation’s readiness to confront infectious diseases and biosecurity threats.”
Echoing this sentiment, Director Monarez expressed her honor in joining the HHS leadership team and her commitment to the public servants at the CDC. “Together we will strengthen and modernize the nation’s public health preparedness and response through science and innovation,” she declared. ”We will work every day at CDC to Make America Healthy Again.”
prior to her appointment as Director, Dr. Monarez served as Acting Director of the CDC and Deputy director for the advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). In these roles, she was instrumental in transforming the agency’s data collection capabilities and advancing disease detection and treatment technologies. Her prior leadership and advisory positions span critical government bodies, including the Biomedical advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at HHS, the Department of homeland security, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Security Council. This diverse background underscores her thorough understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing public health.
Dr. Monarez’s academic foundation is equally extraordinary. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where her research focused on developing innovative technologies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. She further honed her expertise through postdoctoral research at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
The strategic direction set by Director Monarez, coupled with her extensive experience and the administration’s focus on health security, positions the CDC to effectively address current and future health challenges. As the world navigates an increasingly complex public health habitat, the leadership at the CDC will be pivotal in ensuring a resilient and healthy future for all americans.