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Erica Schwartz

All articles tagged with #erica schwartz

New CDC chief pledges science-led leadership as abortion-surveillance debate looms
health27 days ago

New CDC chief pledges science-led leadership as abortion-surveillance debate looms

Erica Schwartz was confirmed as CDC director, the first Black woman to hold the post, and she frames her tenure as science-driven while navigating vaccine-policy questions from RFK Jr. During confirmation she affirmed that abortion surveillance is a 'critical component' of the CDC’s work, prompting concerns from abortion-rights advocates who warn such data collection could be used to restrict care amid a broader politicization of public health and ongoing fights over abortion access.

Senate OKs Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC amid measles surge and vaccine politics
health1 month ago

Senate OKs Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC amid measles surge and vaccine politics

The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the CDC’s first permanent director in about a year in a 51-44 vote largely along party lines. Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general and Navy physician, will oversee vaccine guidance and outbreak response as the agency confronts a measles surge, a cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, and rising vaccine hesitancy amid Kennedy-era policy debates. Her nomination followed a contentious hearing about distancing from some of Kennedy’s stances, with Republican Sen. Cassidy praising her commitment to standing up to misinformation and noting shifts in immunization policy under Kennedy.

politics1 month ago

Kaine backs CDC nominee, signaling path to confirmation

Sen. Tim Kaine says he'll vote to advance Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the CDC, signaling momentum for confirmation as the Senate HELP Committee prepares to vote and Cassidy backs her; if confirmed she would likely sail through to a floor vote, despite Democratic concerns about vaccine policy. The live update roundup also notes other nominations and Capitol fights, including Cornyn’s conditions on Todd Blanche, Jay Clayton’s DNI confirmation moving forward, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang meeting lawmakers on AI, a House Ethics probe into Rep. Lance Gooden, and ongoing debates over the filibuster and the Senate schedule ahead of recess.

CDC nominee edges toward confirmation after autism-vaccine webpage tweak
politics1 month ago

CDC nominee edges toward confirmation after autism-vaccine webpage tweak

The Senate Health Committee delayed votes on two health nominations but signaled support for CDC nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz after assurances from the Trump administration, including a change to the CDC’s autism-vaccine page clarifying that vaccines do not cause autism and that the science is evolving. The decision to move forward came amid attendance-driven delays, with Kaufman’s fate unclear and Murkowski absent; Cassidy framed the change as a step toward restoring public health trust in vaccines.

Cassidy backs CDC nominee after vaccine-autism page tweak
politics1 month ago

Cassidy backs CDC nominee after vaccine-autism page tweak

Sen. Bill Cassidy says he now trusts Erica Schwartz to defend science after talks and after HHS made a “good faith” tweak to the CDC’s autism-vaccines page, though the page still hints at a possible link between vaccines and autism. Cassidy postponed the committee vote on Schwartz to next week amid CDC leadership turnover, while Kennedy Jr.’s directive to revise the page and a separate ASPR nomination also feature in the debate.

Trump nominates Coast Guard rear admiral to lead the CDC
politics4 months ago

Trump nominates Coast Guard rear admiral to lead the CDC

President Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz, a Coast Guard rear admiral and former deputy surgeon general, to run the CDC. Schwartz holds an MD from Brown and a law degree from Maryland and currently oversees the Coast Guard’s health system, vaccination policies, disaster responses and Ebola readiness. Trump also named Sean Slovenski as CDC deputy director and COO, Dr. Jennifer Shuford as deputy director and chief medical officer, and Dr. Sara Brenner as senior counselor for public health to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., touting the team as restoring the CDC’s “gold standard” of science after criticisms of the agency under Biden.

politics4 months ago

Trump taps establishment veteran to lead the CDC

President Donald Trump nominated Erica Schwartz, a career civil servant and former deputy surgeon general, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, labeling her an establishment pick with credentials from Brown University and the Coast Guard. He also named three others to CDC roles. The move comes amid vaccine-policy tensions and Kennedy Jr.’s nutrition agenda, with Schwartz expected to win Senate confirmation more easily than the prior vaccine-skeptic nominee, though some Kennedy supporters have criticized her vaccine-mandate record. If confirmed, she would replace acting CDC head Jay Bhattacharya after a year of leadership turmoil and morale strain at the agency.

Trump taps ex-deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz to helm the CDC
politics4 months ago

Trump taps ex-deputy surgeon general Erica Schwartz to helm the CDC

President Donald Trump nominated Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general and Coast Guard rear admiral, to lead the CDC, ending a months-long search. Schwartz must win Senate confirmation to take the job. She brings MD, JD, MPH credentials and a background in Navy and Public Health Service, and would replace acting director Jay Bhattacharya, whose tenure ended under the Vacancies Act after Susan Monarez’s brief tenure amid vaccine-policy clashes. The move comes amid ongoing public-health leadership turmoil and vaccine policy debates at the agency.

Trump Nominates Erica Schwartz to Lead CDC Amid Vaccine Policy Controversy
politics4 months ago

Trump Nominates Erica Schwartz to Lead CDC Amid Vaccine Policy Controversy

President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy U.S. surgeon general, to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and named three other health officials, as the agency confronts ongoing vaccine policy changes and legal challenges under Health Secretary Kennedy. If confirmed, Schwartz would be the CDC’s permanent director, succeeding acting leadership after the position has been vacant since August, amid debates over vaccine schedules and scientific integrity.

Trump taps Erica Schwartz to helm the CDC amid leadership turmoil
politics4 months ago

Trump taps Erica Schwartz to helm the CDC amid leadership turmoil

President Trump nominated Erica Schwartz to be the director of the CDC, a role that would require Senate confirmation as the agency faces leadership upheaval under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general with Coast Guard service, would take over as acting leadership terms and vaccine policy debates continue to shape the agency’s direction.

White House narrows CDC chief pick to Dr. Erica Schwartz
politics4 months ago

White House narrows CDC chief pick to Dr. Erica Schwartz

Dr. Erica Schwartz, a Coast Guard rear admiral and former deputy Surgeon General with 24 years in the Public Health Service, has emerged as the White House’s frontrunner to head the CDC after the agency’s leadership turmoil and the ouster of Susan Monarez; the transition has seen leadership in an acting capacity under Jay Bhattacharya, highlighting ongoing morale and staffing challenges at the agency.