Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price named Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Fitzgerald was the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health and state health officer for the past six years.
"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," said Price. "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."
Fitzgerald replaces Dr. Anne Schuchat, who has been the acting CDC director and acting ATSDR administrator since January 20. Schuchat is returning to her role as CDC’s principal deputy director.
A board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Fitzgerald 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. Earlier, Fitzgerald held numerous leadership positions and served on the board and as president of the Georgia OB-GYN Society and was a health care policy advisor with House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senator Paul Coverdell. She has also served as a senior fellow and board chair for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation.
