CDC’s Acting Chief Promises a Return to Stability in a Tumultuous Moment By Céline Gounder Photos by Eric Harkleroad March 25, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/cdc-jay-bhattacharya-acting-director-search-nomination-staff-cuts-morale/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8B7qwp3dOrNtUvkNEMwHhjQkMVJPM2McpxtUaorjqARze15WWOC8DG3lQbY6uZebSDT1pc2sDb27rmOIRiL2rHvrV4JQ&_hsmi=410717341&utm_content=410717341&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: CDC’s Acting Chief Promises A Return To Stability In A Tumultuous Moment President Donald Trump will soon nominate a permanent director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, its acting chief, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, told agency employees at a Wednesday staff meeting. According to a recording obtained by KFF Health News, Bhattacharya at one point suggested to CDC staff that Trump could name a new leader for the agency as soon as Thursday. “But if not, I don’t think much will change,” he said. (Gounder, 3/25)