Trump Administration Names Redfield CDC Director

On Wednesday, the Trump Administration named HIV researcher Robert Redfield, M.D. as the next director of the U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to a statement from Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Redfield served as the founding director of the U.S. Military’s HIV Research Program Department of Retroviral Research and retired after 20 years of service with the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Redfield also cofounded the University of Maryland’s Institute of Human Virology and served as the Chief of Infectious Diseases and Vice Chair of Medicine as the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Despite concerns, including those regarding his lack of experience in leading a government public health agency, among a number of policymakers and key stakeholders, many praised Redfield’s selection. His appointment does not require confirmation from the U.S. Senate and he is expected to begin in his new role in the coming days. Dr. Anne Schuchat, who has been serving as the acting director, is expected to return to her existing role as CDC Principal Deputy Director.