Brenda Fitzgerald appointed as new CDC director

Public health commissioner of Georgia and two-time republican candidate for Congress Brenda Fitzgerald has been appointed as the next director of federal government's top public health agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Appointed by Dr. Tom Price, Health and Human Services Secretary, she is the 17th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

She replaces Dr. Anne Schuchat, who has been the acting CDC director and acting ATSDR administrator since January 20.

Secretary Price said, "I am extremely proud and excited to announce Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald as the new Director of the CDC. Having known Dr. Fitzgerald for many years, I know that she has a deep appreciation and understanding of medicine, public health, policy and leadership—all qualities that will prove vital as she leads the CDC in its work to protect America’s health 24/7. We look forward to working with Dr. Fitzgerald to achieve President Trump's goal of strengthening public health surveillance and ensuring global health security at home and abroad. Congratulations to Dr. Fitzgerald and her family."

"Additionally, I’d like to extend my deep appreciation and thanks to Dr. Anne Schuchat for her exemplary service as acting director of the CDC. We thank Dr. Schuchat and her team for their dedication in our public health efforts to keep Americans safe and for their work to ensure a seamless transition. We look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Schuchat in her role as principal deputy director of CDC." he added

Dr. Fitzgerald is obstetrician-gynaecologist and has practiced medicine for three decades. As Georgia DPH Commissioner, she oversaw various state public health programs and directed the state’s 18 public health districts and 159 county health departments.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Georgia State University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Emory University School of Medicine. She completed post-graduate training at the Emory-Grady Hospitals in Atlanta and held an assistant clinical professorship at Emory Medical Center.

As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Fitzgerald served at the Wurtsmith Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) Base in Michigan and at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.