CDC’s deputy director to depart after four months in the role

Dr Jennifer Shuford, the deputy director and chief medical officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will leave the agency next month, less than five months into her tenure. Her last day will be November 12.

Dr Shuford's departure is the latest example of the leadership churn that has affected the country's top health agencies under the Trump administration. The CDC has lost several top leaders over the last year and a half, including a permanent director and several principal deputy directors.

The CDC spokesperson said that Satish Pillai, who leads the agency's Ebola response, will serve as acting deputy director and chief medical officer while the CDC looks for a permanent successor. Dr Shuford was appointed to CDC leadership in April and started her dual roles in June.

Dr Shuford previously served as Texas' chief state epidemiologist during the Covid pandemic and as commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, where she oversaw the response to a measles outbreak that led to over 750 cases and the deaths of two school-age children. The CDC's principal deputy director, Dr Ralph Abraham, stepped down in February, and Dr Allison Arwady, director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, announced her departure in June.

Other federal health agencies have also undergone major leadership shake-ups this year. Dr Shuford's departure was announced by CDC Director Dr Erica Schwartz in an email to staff, which was viewed by NBC News.

Dr Shuford said in a statement that she was leaving to spend more time with her family and thanked President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for giving her the opportunity to help lead the CDC.