Ex-CDC official reveals reasons for his departure from the organization
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently facing unprecedented challenges, with the resignation of Dr. Daniel Jernigan, the former director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, and the firing of Dr. Susan Monarez, the CDC's previous director.
Dr. Jernigan, who has worked at the CDC for 30 years, resigned in August 2025, shortly after Dr. Monarez was dismissed. The internal conflicts at the CDC were triggered by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who demanded the firing of Jernigan and other officials, leading to Monarez’s refusal and subsequent dismissal by Kennedy.
Jim O'Neill, a close ally of Kennedy, has been appointed as the acting leader of the CDC. O'Neill, who is currently the deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is not a physician nor a scientist.
Dr. Jernigan's resignation is not due to any specific political interference or complicating and challenging times, unlike earlier resignations. In an interview with NPR, Jernigan expressed concerns about the agency's future and emphasized the need for the CDC to be supported and allowed to do its work objectively and transparently to save it as the global preeminent public health agency.
Dr. Monarez was asked to fire Dr. Deb Houry, the chief medical officer, Dr. Daskalakis, the center director for the immunization group, and possibly herself, but she refused. Her dismissal has sparked concerns about the future of the CDC and its ability to provide reliable health information.
The CDC website still contains a lot of reliable information, but it may be hard to distinguish between evidence-based and ideology-based approaches moving forward. Dr. Jernigan recommends being cautious and considering alternative sources for reliable health information.
Dr. Jernigan has not mentioned any plans to work in a specific area of public health or any future roles he may take on. He is considering retirement but plans to continue working in public health.
The CDC needs to navigate these challenging times and maintain its reputation as a trusted source of health information. It is crucial that the agency is allowed to operate objectively and transparently to continue saving lives and protecting the public's health.
