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Rachel V Thomas

Meet Erica Schwartz: Trump's CDC Nominee Who Pledges to 'Never Betray Science'

Almost a year after the last Senate-confirmed director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was fired for backing science and vaccines, President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. <span>Erica Schwartz</span> to head the agency, making her his third CDC nominee in less than two years.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Schwartz pledged to restore public trust in the CDC through transparency and evidence-based decision-making.

However, she also faced pointed questions about <span>vaccine</span> policy, scientific independence, and whether she would resist pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

<h2>Erica Schwartz: 'I Will Never Betray Science'</h2>

Schwartz highlighted her military background and said restoring confidence in public health institutions would be her top priority.

"If confirmed, my first priority will be restoring trust in public health institutions through radical transparency and unwavering scientific integrity," she said.

"As CDC director, my sacred responsibility is to provide the American people with public health guidance that is clear, honest, and evidence-based. I will never betray science," she added.

Schwartz previously served as deputy US surgeon general during Trump's first administration and held the rank of rear admiral in the US Coast Guard.

Dr. Erica Schwartz is a physician with an extensive background in medicine, public health, engineering, and law. She holds a medical degree (MD), a Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology, a law degree, and a degree in biomedical engineering.

Before being nominated to lead the CDC, Schwartz held several senior public health and military leadership roles, including:

<ul><li>Serving as a Navy occupational medicine physician and clinical epidemiologist</li><li>Joining the US Public Health Service, where she was detailed to the US Coast Guard</li><li>Serving as the Chief Medical Officer of the US Coast Guard</li><li>Serving as the Deputy US Surgeon General, where she helped oversee national public health initiatives and emergency preparedness.</li></ul>

<h2>Erica Schwartz Backs Vaccines, Calls for Autism Research</h2>

Throughout the hearing, Schwartz repeatedly expressed support for vaccines, including mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and strongly endorsed vitamin K injections for newborns to prevent life-threatening bleeding.

She also acknowledged that scientific evidence does not support a link between vaccines and autism, while arguing that more research is needed to better understand the rising prevalence of autism.

"We owe it to the American people to figure out why one in 30 children now has autism," she said.

Schwartz stated that she did not believe either President Trump or Health Secretary Kennedy would ask her to take actions that would harm public health or violate the law.

She also said she was unaware of Kennedy's decision to cancel nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts and was unfamiliar with reported cuts to smoking cessation and food safety programmes.

<h2>Public Health Experts Express Concern</h2>

Although many observers consider Schwartz a qualified nominee with mainstream public health credentials, some experts said her testimony did not provide enough reassurance that she would independently defend scientific evidence if political pressure arose.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, chief executive of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said she wanted stronger commitments to evidence-based science from leaders overseeing the nation's top public health institutions.

The hearing also renewed criticism of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s handling of the CDC.

Several Democratic senators, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, argued that former CDC director Dr. Susan Monarez was removed because she resisted Kennedy's vaccine policies.

"Dr. Monarez, to her credit, stood up for science, public health, and for the scientific method. Frankly, she stood up for protecting the well-being of the American people, and that was the reason that she was fired," Sanders said.

If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz would replace Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who’s been serving as acting CDC director since February.

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Almost a year after the last Senate-confirmed director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was fired for backing science and vaccines, President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz to head the agency, making her his third CDC nominee in less than two years.Appearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Schwartz pledged to restore public trust in the CDC through transparency and evidence-based decision-making. However, she also faced pointed questions about vaccine policy, scientific independence, and whether she would resist pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Erica Schwartz: 'I Will Never Betray Science'Schwartz highlighted her military background and said restoring confidence in public health institutions would be her top priority."If confirmed, my first priority will be restoring trust in public health institutions through radical transparency and unwavering scientific integrity," she said."As CDC director, my sacred responsibility is to provide the American people with public health guidance that is clear, honest, and evidence-based. I will never betray science," she added.Schwartz previously served as deputy US surgeon general during Trump's first administration and held the rank of rear admiral in the US Coast Guard.Who Is Dr. Erica Schwartz?Dr. Erica Schwartz is a physician with an extensive background in medicine, public health, engineering, and law. She holds a medical degree (MD), a Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology, a law degree, and a degree in biomedical engineering.Before being nominated to lead the CDC, Schwartz held several senior public health and military leadership roles, including:Serving as a Navy occupational medicine physician and clinical epidemiologistJoining the US Public Health Service, where she was detailed to the US Coast GuardServing as the Chief Medical Officer of the US Coast GuardServing as the Deputy US Surgeon General, where she helped oversee national public health initiatives and emergency preparedness.Erica Schwartz Backs Vaccines, Calls for Autism ResearchThroughout the hearing, Schwartz repeatedly expressed support for vaccines, including mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and strongly endorsed vitamin K injections for newborns to prevent life-threatening bleeding.She also acknowledged that scientific evidence does not support a link between vaccines and autism, while arguing that more research is needed to better understand the rising prevalence of autism."We owe it to the American people to figure out why one in 30 children now has autism," she said.Schwartz stated that she did not believe either President Trump or Health Secretary Kennedy would ask her to take actions that would harm public health or violate the law.She also said she was unaware of Kennedy's decision to cancel nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts and was unfamiliar with reported cuts to smoking cessation and food safety programmes.Public Health Experts Express ConcernAlthough many observers consider Schwartz a qualified nominee with mainstream public health credentials, some experts said her testimony did not provide enough reassurance that she would independently defend scientific evidence if political pressure arose.Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, chief executive of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said she wanted stronger commitments to evidence-based science from leaders overseeing the nation's top public health institutions.The hearing also renewed criticism of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s handling of the CDC.Several Democratic senators, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, argued that former CDC director Dr. Susan Monarez was removed because she resisted Kennedy's vaccine policies."Dr. Monarez, to her credit, stood up for science, public health, and for the scientific method. Frankly, she stood up for protecting the well-being of the American people, and that was the reason that she was fired," Sanders said.If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz would replace Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who’s been serving as acting CDC director since February.

meet erica schwartz: trump's cdc nominee who pledges to 'never betray science'

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