Chicago – December 16, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California has hired two former senior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials—one fired and one who resigned amid Trump administration changes—to bolster the state’s public health efforts.
Susan Monarez, dismissed as CDC director shortly after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took office, and Dr. Debra Houry, who quit as chief medical officer over internal disputes, will serve as public health advisors. They join California’s Department of Public Health to launch the Public Health Innovation Exchange, promoting science-based decision-making and rebuilding trust in health guidance.
This move builds on a September alliance with Democratic-led Washington and Oregon to create independent vaccine and health policies amid federal shifts. Newsom emphasized action over federal inaction, stating it strengthens collaboration for reliable public health infrastructure.
