Dr. Erica Schwartz, the newly appointed director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), made her first agency-wide address to staff on Wednesday, acknowledging severe understaffing and burnout while pledging to advocate for the agency’s resources and priorities.
In her remarks, Schwartz also committed to speaking truth to power regarding scientific integrity, though she emphasized that any disagreements with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would remain internal. The meeting followed her official start as the CDC’s first permanent director in over a year, succeeding a series of interim leaders.
Key developments from the meeting included:
- Schwartz acknowledged a “brain drain” at the agency, with about a quarter of the CDC’s workforce having left or been fired during the previous administration. Staffers raised concerns about the agency’s ability to maintain its reputation as the “gold standard” amid ongoing workforce reductions.
- She did not specify concrete steps to address congressionally funded programs described as “zombie” initiatives due to lack of staff, stating only that she would advocate for the agency’s needs.
Staffing and operational challenges
During the meeting, a CDC employee described the workforce exodus as a critical threat to the agency’s operational capacity, particularly for handling ongoing disease outbreaks such as measles and Ebola. The U.S. is currently experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 35 years, with 2,566 confirmed cases reported this year. Schwartz responded that while the agency is facing challenges, she believes it remains capable of responding to future threats.
“Can we do more? Certainly. We can do more. Will we be prepared for the next outbreak? I think we will be,” Schwartz said, according to a transcript reviewed by NBC News.
Relationship with Health Secretary Kennedy
Schwartz, who previously served as deputy surgeon general during the Trump administration, indicated she feels “very comfortable” working with Kennedy. She confirmed having three or four meetings with him since taking office and reiterated her intent to prioritize scientific integrity in internal discussions. However, she stated she would not publicly challenge Kennedy, even if disagreements arise.
“But just know that I will continue to speak truth to power,” she said.
Background and context
Schwartz’s appointment comes after a period of instability at the CDC, including the firing of former director Susan Monarez last summer following a brief tenure marked by clashes with Kennedy. Her leadership transition follows reports that congressionally funded CDC programs have been effectively stalled due to staff shortages, with some described as “dead or nearly dead” in recent coverage.
The agency’s workforce reductions have raised questions about its preparedness for future public health emergencies, including the ongoing measles outbreak and potential resurgences of other vaccine-preventable diseases. Schwartz’s comments reflect both an acknowledgment of these challenges and a cautious optimism about the agency’s resilience.
In her address, Schwartz did not outline a detailed timeline or specific policy changes to address staffing shortages, leaving open questions about the agency’s immediate priorities and long-term strategy.