Dr. Jennifer Shuford, a former state well being commissioner whom President Trump appointed to a prime submit on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention to assist regular the company, is leaving after simply 4 months within the job.
Dr. Shuford’s final day is deliberate for Nov. 12, the C.D.C. mentioned in a press release on Tuesday. Her departure was reported Monday night time by The Washington Publish. Dr. Erica Schwartz, the C.D.C. director, introduced the information to workers in an electronic mail Tuesday morning.
Information of Dr. Shuford’s exit comes because the C.D.C. faces criticism over its response to unrelenting measles outbreaks within the nation. The company is embroiled in a dispute over its refusal to acknowledge a number of measles-related deaths reported by the Pennsylvania Well being Division.
Dr. Shuford, who was the company’s deputy director and chief medical officer, didn’t reply to a request for remark. She mentioned within the assertion launched by the C.D.C. that she was leaving “to spend extra time with my household.”
“I’m so grateful to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for giving me the chance to assist lead C.D.C.,” she mentioned, referring to Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “It has been an incredible expertise, and I will likely be eternally grateful for it.”
Dr. Shuford beforehand served as well being commissioner for Texas and earned respect from public well being officers as she oversaw the state’s response to its measles outbreak final 12 months. She gained a fame as a data-driven epidemiologist who understood the significance of childhood vaccines. She joined the C.D.C. in June.
“It’s extremely regarding that essentially the most certified individual within the workplace of the director is departing the company,” mentioned Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who resigned from the company in August 2025 in protest of the administration’s insurance policies.
“These selections are onerous, however primarily based on my expertise of Dr. Shuford through the West Texas measles outbreak, I belief her judgment that that is the time to depart,” Dr. Daskalakis mentioned.
Information of her deliberate departure got here as a disappointment to individuals inside and outdoors the C.D.C. who had hoped for extra stability and sparked hypothesis that she should have disagreed with an upcoming coverage from the administration.
Dr. Anne Zink, a former president of the Affiliation of State and Territorial Well being Officers and Alaska’s chief medical officer till 2024, has identified Dr. Shuford for years. Dr. Zink mentioned she didn’t know why Dr. Shuford had determined to depart the company so abruptly, however “taking these jobs, all of us must know our pink line and when it is very important stroll away,” she mentioned.
“It’s totally different for each individual and a steadiness between if you are able to do extra good inside or outdoors the construction,” she added.
Mr. Trump introduced Dr. Shuford’s appointment in April, alongside along with his nomination of Dr. Schwartz because the company’s director, and Sean Slovenski, an govt within the well being care trade, as its chief working officer.
The C.D.C. plans to begin a seek for her substitute quickly. Capt. Satish Pillai will function appearing deputy director and chief medical officer within the interim, the company mentioned.
“I’m deeply grateful for Dr. Shuford’s excellent management and dedication to C.D.C. and public well being, particularly as she has navigated an exceptionally demanding, high-profile and continually evolving atmosphere over the previous a number of months,” Dr. Schwartz, the director, mentioned in a press release.