President Donald Trump on Thursday announced his pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a statement, Trump said he is nominating Dr. Erica Schwartz to head the agency.
"Erica graduated from Brown University for College and Medical School, and served a distinguished career as a Doctor of Medicine in the United States Military, the Greatest and Most Powerful Force in the World, and then served as my Deputy Surgeon General during my First Term," he said. "She is a STAR!"
Schwartz previously held senior health leadership roles with the U.S. Coast Guard, overseeing its health care system and public health programs.
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She began her career as a Navy physician and has worked on major public health responses, including pandemic planning and disease surveillance efforts.
Schwartz is the third person Trump has selected to lead the CDC during his second term.
Dr. David Weldon was his first pick, but his confirmation hearing was canceled after it became clear he did not have enough support in the Senate.
Susan Monarez, who had been serving as the CDC’s acting director, was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025 but was removed from the position just weeks later.
Monarez said she was targeted for refusing to “rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.” The Trump administration said her views were not aligned with its priorities.
