CDC Leadership

Anne Schuchat, M.D. became Acting Director for CDC in January 2017.  Dr. Schuchat began her public health career in 1988 when she came to CDC as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. She was principal deputy director of CDC during 2015-2017 and director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases from 2006-2015.

Patricia M. Simone is acting CDC Principal Deputy Director. Dr. Simone most recently served as Director of the Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development in CDC’s Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS).

Katherine Lyon Daniel, PhD, Associate Director, is responsible for providing guidance and leadership in the development and implementation of CDC′s communication strategies.

Von Nguyen, MD MPH is serving as the Acting Associate Director for Policy at the Centers for Disease Control for Prevention (CDC). In this capacity, he supports the policy agenda across CDC and manages the CDC’s efforts to promote collaboration between the public health and health care delivery systems.

Karyn Richman, MPA, currently serves as the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Washington, D.C. Office. Ms. Richman joined the CDC as the Deputy Director of the Washington Office in May 2014.

CDC Washington translates public health developments to the Washington-based policy community, provides strategic direction and support for CDC leadership, and delivers technical assistance on legislation that impacts CDC programs.

Sherri A. Berger, MSPH, became Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of 10 major operating divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in August 2011. As COO, she oversees management, facilities, and operations at the Atlanta-based public health agency. She provides substantial strategic direction for CDC’s workforce and budget, while ensuring CDC has proper resources to fulfill its critical work to save lives and protect people from health threats.

Leandris Liburd, PhD, MPH, MA, serves as Associate Director for Minority Health and Health Equity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this role, she oversees the work of CDC’s Offices of Minority Health & Health Equity and Women’s Health, and of Diversity & Inclusion Management. Dr. Liburd has decades of experience in community health, health disparities, and social determinants of health.

Michael F. Iademarco, MD, MPH (Rear Admiral, USPHS), is the first permanent director of the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coleen Boyle serves as Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at CDC. Dr. Boyle began her career at CDC in 1984 as part of a large effort to study the adverse health effects of exposure to Agent Orange, a herbicide used during the Vietnam War.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier (CAPT, USPHS) is the Director for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). Since beginning her public health career in 1995 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer in the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Dr. Messonnier has held a number of leadership posts across CDC and within NCIRD.

Dr. Mermin served as Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, NCHHSTP. Under his leadership, the Division spearheaded a new approach to HIV prevention, called High Impact Prevention, that aligned funding with epidemiology and ensured program and research activities had the greatest effect on reducing incidence and improving health equity.