Newsom appoints ex-CDC officials to lead California’s new public health network

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Sara BraunDecember 15, 2025 at 10:40 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed two former CDC officials, Dr. Susan Monarez and Dr. Debra Houry, to lead the state's new Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX). Monarez, who was fired from the CDC after clashing with HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy, will serve as a strategic health technology and funding advisor. Houry, the former CDC chief medical officer, will be the senior regional and global public health medical advisor. PHNIX was created to modernize California's public health infrastructure in response to the Trump administration's dismantling of public health safeguards and vaccine skepticism. The initiative will focus on technology development, modernizing information infrastructure, and funding frameworks. These appointments are part of Newsom's broader effort to counter the Trump administration's policies and strengthen California's role in public health.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Robert F Kennedy Jr. 50% Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ×350% Debra Houry ×280% California ×280% Gavin Newsom ×2100% Susan Monarez ×3100%

Keywords

public health 100% cdc 70% vaccine policy 70% trump administration 70% public health infrastructure 60% health technology 50% scientific data 50% modernizing information 40%