Health · Healthcare & Policy · 6 hrs ago
CDC deputy director Jennifer Shuford to leave after four months
Jennifer Shuford is leaving the CDC after about four months as its deputy director and chief medical officer.
The agency is the United States’ main public health body, and Shuford began the roles in June after leading Texas’s health department.
She says she is leaving to spend more time with her family; separate reporting says tensions over proposed changes to vaccine guidance may also have played a part.
The CDC has faced repeated leadership departures, including several after its former director was fired in 2025.
Satish Pillai will take over in an acting role while the agency searches for a permanent successor.
Her departure comes as the CDC faces criticism over its handling of measles outbreaks and declining public confidence.
The agency now needs to fill another senior leadership post amid wider changes at federal health agencies.
Jennifer Shuford will leave her role as deputy director and chief medical officer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention next month.
Her last day is Nov. 12, after less than five months in the roles.
Shuford said she was leaving to spend more time with her family.
The CDC said Satish Pillai will serve as acting deputy director and chief medical officer while it seeks a permanent successor.
Scientific American reported that sources told the Washington Post Shuford had clashed with the administration over proposed changes to vaccine guidance.
- Who
- Jennifer Shuford, the CDC’s deputy director and chief medical officer.
- What
- She is leaving the agency. Satish Pillai will serve as acting deputy director and chief medical officer.
- When
- Her last day is Nov. 12, 2026.
- Where
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Why
- Shuford said she wanted to spend more time with her family. Sources cited by the Washington Post reportedly said disagreements over vaccine guidance also factored into her departure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
President Donald Trump announced Shuford’s appointment to CDC leadership.
Shuford began her roles as deputy director and chief medical officer.
Shuford confirmed her departure to the Washington Post, according to Scientific American.
The CDC announced that Shuford would leave next month, with Nov. 12 set as her last day.
- Departure date
- Nov. 12, 2026
- Tenure
- Less than five months
- Acting successor
- Satish Pillai
- Previous Texas role
- Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Appointment announced
- April 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
I am so thankful to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy for giving me the opportunity to help lead CDC. It has been an amazing experience and I will be forever grateful for it
I am deeply grateful for Dr. Shuford’s outstanding leadership and commitment to CDC and public health, especially as she has navigated an exceptionally demanding, high-profile, and constantly evolving environment over the past several months