Susan Monarez was dismissed as director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on 28 August in a surprise move that also led to the resignations of other top officials including Debra Houry, the agency’s chief medical officer. Robert F Kennedy Jr, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced Dr Monarez’s departure on the social media site X. This was subsequently confirmed by the White House. “Since Susan Monarez refused to resign, despite informing HHS leadership of her intent to do so, the White House has terminated Monarez from her position with the CDC,” said White House spokesman Kush Desai, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Dr Monarez had led the CDC only since July when her appointment was confirmed by the US Senate. Tensions arose soon thereafter when she reportedly refused to sign directives supported by the administration.
The HHS is responsible for monitoring public health and administering programmes like Medicare and Medicaid. It oversees both the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration. It spent $1.72 trillion in the US fiscal year ended 30 September 2024, which was 25.4% of all US federal spending.
Dr Monarez has held leadership positions in healthcare and biomedical innovation across government. Prior to government service, she was a postdoctoral fellow and graduate student, respectively, at Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin, focusing on technology development for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
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