The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a team of physician leaders helping to make executive decisions and recommendations. Meet 10 CDC physician leaders for 2023 (information is from the agency's website):
1. Rochelle Walensky, MD, is the director of the CDC. She is an infectious disease and HIV/AIDS prevention specialist.
2. Debra Houry, MD, is the acting principal deputy director. She is a former emergency medicine physician.
3. Jim Pirkle, MD, PhD, is the associate director for laboratory science and safety. He is board certified in clinical pathology.
4. John Howard, MD, is the director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He is board certified in internal medicine and occupational medicine.
5. Dr. Denise Cardo is the acting director for the Center for Global Health. She is a medical epidemiologist.
6. Henry Walke, MD, is the director of the Center for Preparedness and Response. He is board certified in family and preventive medicine.
7. Celeste Philip, MD, is the acting director of the Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support. She is board certified in family and preventive medicine.
8. Jennifer Layden, MD, PhD, is the acting deputy director for public health science and surveillance. She specializes in epidemiology.
9. Karen Remley, MD, is the director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. She specializes in pediatric medicine and care.
10. Karen Hacker, MD, is the director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. She specializes in surveillance and epidemiology and healthcare reform.