Susan Monarez

Dr. Susan Monarez is a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She is newsworthy because she recently left the CDC following conflicts with the Trump administration and has been appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to lead the state's new Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX). This appointment comes at a time when the CDC is experiencing turmoil and leadership vacancies, including the recent resignation of its principal deputy director, Ralph Abraham. The CDC has been without a permanent director for some time, contributing to the agency's instability. Monarez's move to California highlights the challenges faced by public health officials under the Trump administration and underscores the importance of state-level initiatives in addressing public health concerns.