Dr. Jennifer Shuford, who was appointed as deputy director and chief medical officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April as part of a Trump administration leadership team, announced her resignation after six months in the position. The agency confirmed her departure through an email obtained by media outlets, with Shuford set to leave her post on November 12.
Shuford’s appointment was part of a four-person senior leadership restructuring at the CDC. She was selected alongside CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz and two other senior officials. Her initial appointment had been welcomed by public health organizations, including the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, based on her background as Texas health commissioner. The appointments followed the departure of previous CDC Director Susan Monarez, who left less than a month into her tenure and publicly stated that directives from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were “unscientific.”
In a statement, Shuford cited a desire to spend more time with her family and expressed gratitude to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for the opportunity to lead the agency. CDC Director Schwartz described Shuford’s tenure as demonstrating “outstanding leadership and commitment” while navigating a “demanding, high-profile, and constantly evolving environment.”
During Shuford’s time at the agency, the CDC has undergone significant personnel and policy changes under Kennedy’s direction. The agency has experienced substantial workforce reductions and faced multiple disease outbreaks, including dozens of measles cases across the country. Dr. Satish Pillai will assume the role of acting deputy director while the agency searches for a permanent successor to Shuford.
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