NEW YORK (AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experienced significant upheaval on Tuesday with the announcement of five high-level departures, signifying a continuing period of instability for the nation’s leading public health agency. These departures were confirmed during a meeting attended by senior CDC leaders and represent a substantial shift in the agency's upper management.
Following the recent announcements, close to one-third of the CDC’s top management team has either left or is set to leave, exacerbating concerns surrounding the agency’s stability. The five directors stepping down oversee critical centers and offices at the Atlanta-based organization, which comprises two dozen such entities. The decision to retire was not publicly disclosed, but the Associated Press was able to verify the information through two CDC officials who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussion.
The departures come on the heels of the White House nominating Susan Monarez as the new CDC director, raising questions about the potential impact of this nomination on the exiting leaders. Notably, the Trump administration had earlier revoked the nomination of Dr. David Weldon, a former Florida congressman, just prior to a planned Senate confirmation hearing.
The individuals who are leaving the CDC include:
- Leslie Ann Dauphin, responsible for the Public Health Infrastructure Center, which manages over 500 employees. This center plays a pivotal role in coordinating CDC funding, strategy, and technical support for state, local, and territorial health departments.
- Dr. Karen Remley, who directs the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, overseeing a staff of more than 220 full-time employees.
- Sam Posner, leading the Office of Science, which employs over 100 personnel dedicated to research and science policy, as well as the publication of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
- Debra Lubar, who heads the 65-person Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation.
- Leandris Liburd, in charge of the Office of Health Equity, consisting of approximately 40 employees. Liburd has held this role since 2020, focusing on addressing the significant health disparities experienced by Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the CDC has seen several other high-profile exits in recent weeks, including Kevin Griffis, who headed CDC communications, and Robin Bailey, the agency's chief operating officer. Dr. Nirav Shah, a former principal deputy director at the CDC, also departed late last month, having been a prominent figure in the agency's communication strategy regarding an evolving bird flu outbreak affecting both animals and humans in the United States.
The current wave of leadership changes at the CDC reflects ongoing challenges the agency faces in maintaining a stable and effective management team, especially as it continues to respond to public health crises and adapt to evolving health landscapes.
