Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tom Price, MD, appointed Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, Georgia's public health commissioner, as the new director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Fitzgerald will replace Tom Frieden, MD, who stepped down in January.
She will also act as administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Dr. Fitzgerald earned her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, and held an assistant clinical professorship at Emory Medical Center after completing post-graduate training at the Emory-Grady Hospitals. She served as the commissioner for the Georgia Department of Public Health from 2011 to 2017. She also worked with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senator Paul Coverdell as a health-care policy advisor.
As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Fitzgerald served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan and at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC.
Announcing his decision, Sec. Price stated, "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."
Source: Department of Health and Human Services press release, July 7, 2017.