Erica Schwartz Reportedly Tapped to Lead the CDC Under Trump Administration

The White House is reportedly considering Erica Schwartz as the next permanent director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the Washington Post, which cited three anonymous sources familiar with the matter. The potential nomination signals yet another significant leadership transition at one of the country's most prominent public health agencies.

Schwartz brings a notable medical background to the role. A former Navy physician, she previously served as deputy U.S. Surgeon General during President Donald Trump's first term in office, giving her direct experience navigating federal health policy at the highest levels of government.

Alongside Schwartz, Sean Slovenski — a former Walmart executive — is reportedly being considered for the position of her top deputy, subject to President Trump's approval, the Post reported.

The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, have not yet issued an official response to media inquiries regarding the reported appointments.

This latest development comes in the wake of ongoing leadership instability at the CDC. The turbulence began when Trump dismissed then-CDC Director Susan Monarez last August, following her reported pushback against vaccine policy changes championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Monarez was subsequently replaced by HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill, who took on the acting director role in addition to his existing responsibilities.

In February, Jay Bhattacharya — director of the National Institutes of Health — stepped in to succeed O'Neill, who later vacated both posts and was offered a leadership position at the National Science Foundation.

Further personnel changes may also be on the horizon. Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond posted on X that Texas Health Commissioner Jen Shuford and senior FDA official Sara Brenner are among those reportedly being considered for other top CDC positions.