Washington — President Donald Trump has announced his decision to nominate Dr. Susan Monarez as the next permanent director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Monarez has already been serving as the acting CDC chief since January 2025, and now awaits Senate confirmation to officially take the role.
If confirmed, she will become the first CDC director to be approved by the Senate, following a rule change made by Congress in 2022.
Who Is Susan Monarez?
Dr. Susan Monarez holds a PhD, not a medical degree, which makes her an unconventional pick for the CDC leadership. She was formerly the Deputy Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and is known for her work in health research and government service.
Monarez has not come from within the CDC’s internal ranks, which breaks with tradition. Most previous directors have been long-serving medical professionals within the agency.
Despite her unusual background, she has reportedly built a good working relationship with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., since stepping into the role of acting director.
Why Monarez Was Chosen
President Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, praising Monarez for her dedication and focus on reforming the CDC. He emphasized that the American public had lost confidence in the CDC, blaming political bias and poor management in recent years.
Monarez replaces Dr. David Weldon, a former Florida congressman, whose nomination was withdrawn earlier this month because he didn’t have enough support in the Senate. Weldon’s failure to clearly outline his plans for the CDC and his views on vaccines raised concerns among lawmakers.
Challenges Ahead for Monarez
If confirmed, Dr. Monarez will take charge at a critical time for the CDC. The agency is currently dealing with several major issues:
- A measles outbreak in under-vaccinated communities in Texas and nearby states
- Concerns about bird flu spreading in the U.S.
- Workforce cuts that could reduce CDC staff by up to 30%
- Investigations and policy changes related to vaccine safety research, including revived plans to study links between vaccines and autism, which scientists have already dismissed as false
She may also face tough questions from senators regarding her role in delaying vaccine advisory meetings and in changes made to the CDC’s medical journal publications.
What Lawmakers Are Saying
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and chair of the Senate Health Committee, welcomed the nomination and said he looked forward to hearing Monarez’s vision for reforming the CDC.
Other Republican senators had earlier expressed disappointment with Weldon, especially over his lack of understanding of CDC operations and concerns about anti-vaccine positions.
Democrats and public health experts are expected to scrutinize Monarez for her past decisions and how she plans to manage the agency’s future, especially under Trump’s health policy priorities.
President Trump’s pick of Dr. Susan Monarez signals a shift in leadership style at the CDC, at a time when the agency faces internal reforms, health crises, and public trust issues.
If confirmed, Monarez will take on one of the most important roles in U.S. public health — with immediate challenges like disease outbreaks, vaccine misinformation, and a shrinking workforce. Her Senate confirmation process will now be closely watched by both lawmakers and the public.