The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday in a 51-44 vote. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was the only Democrat who voted in favor of her confirmation, joining all present Republicans.

Schwartz, 54, becomes the 22nd leader of the Atlanta-based agency and its first Senate-confirmed director in nearly a year. She is also the first Black woman to run the CDC.

Background and Credentials

Schwartz brings a multi-disciplinary background to the role. Her resume includes medical and law degrees, a stint as deputy surgeon general during President Donald Trump’s first administration, and a leadership position overseeing the health care system for the U.S. Coast Guard. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Brown University and has experience responding to pandemics, including outbreaks of Ebola and H1N1.

A Contentious Confirmation

Her nomination faced significant scrutiny, particularly regarding her willingness to stand up to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. .

Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) expressed concerns after her hearing, but later decided to support her, saying: “I’m confident that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not”.

However, critics remained unconvinced. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who voted against her, stated: “The issue at hand is not complicated. Will we have people in the Trump administration who have the guts to stand up to people who are anti-science and into conspiracy theories?”

Taking the Helm of a Beleaguered Agency

Schwartz takes over a CDC in turmoil. The agency has lost more than 3,000 employees—over a quarter of its workforce—due to layoffs and resignations since Trump returned to office. Morale has plummeted amid a succession of temporary leaders.

She is Trump’s third nominee for the role in 18 months. Her predecessor, Susan Monarez, was confirmed but ousted in less than a month in August 2025 after reportedly clashing with Kennedy over vaccine policy.

Immediate Challenges

Schwartz faces several pressing public health crises:

• A surge in measles cases.
• The largest-ever outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the U.S..
• An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The CDC’s leadership vacuum has been filled by acting directors in recent months, most recently National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya. Schwartz now steps in to lead the agency through these challenges.