Who is Susan Monarez, the first non-physician CDC Director who resigned after just weeks in office?

Susan Monarez, PhD, who was confirmed as the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the end of July and found herself out of the job less than a month later.Susan Monarez, the first non-physician to lead the US CDC, is a health scientist with strong credentials. She earned her PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and even did postdoctoral work at Stanford. Her career took her to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Security Council, and the Department of Homeland Security, where she focused on cutting edge topics like pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and wearable health tech.

Later, she served as deputy director of ARPA-H, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, leading AI health innovation, mental health projects, efforts against the opioid crisis, and reducing health disparities.In early 2025 she became acting director of the CDC, and in March the Trump administration tapped her for the permanent role, the first time the job required Senate approval under a new rule. On July 29, 2025 the Senate confirmed Monarez in a 51-47 party-line vote.

That made her the first confirmed CDC director under the new law. When she took the podium, the agency was already on shaky ground, budget cuts looming, staff morale low, and vaccine policy in turmoil, driven by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial positions. Despite the tension, Monarez pledged to rely on science and restore public trust during her confirmation hearing.Here is where it all turns dramatic. Less than one month after being sworn in on July 31, Monarez was suddenly ousted from her position.

Her own lawyers fired back fast, saying she had not resigned or been officially notified she had been fired. They accused Secretary Kennedy of “weaponizing public health” and targeting Monarez because she refused to “rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives” or fire committed scientists.Meanwhile, a mass resignation meltdown followed, at least three other top CDC officials walked out, including the Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry and vaccine director Demetre Daskalakis, who slammed the political meddling as destructive to scientific integrity.Monarez’s ousting and the resignations that followed have sparked serious concern over the future of the CDC, a key player in battling disease and guiding public health. Many now worry the agency’s capacity has been weakened just when it is needed most.