No. 2 official at CDC to retire this summer

The second-highest-ranking official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is planning to retire this summer.

Anne Schuchat, the agency’s principal deputy director, said she plans to retire after 33 years at CDC. She is the second high-profile leader to leave the agency this month. Nancy Messonnier, who at one point directed the agency’s COVID-19 pandemic response, resigned on Friday.

Schuchat has been CDC’s principal deputy director since September 2015, serving under four separate directors. She twice served as acting agency director, from January-July 2017 and February-March 2018. 

Schuchat’s retirement was first reported by Politico, and later confirmed by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, who thanked Schuchat for her “leadership and contributions over three decades, and during this very challenging period for our country.”

The Biden administration has been working to rebuild the CDC’s public reputation after it took a beating during the Trump administration, and Walensky indicated Schuchat was a stabilizing force. 

“I am especially thankful for her invaluable counsel, assistance and support in my transition into this role,” Walensky said in a statement. “Anne embodies selfless public service, the pinnacle of scientific and intellectual standards, and has given her heart to our agency and the public health community. I will remain forever grateful that our paths crossed, even for just a short while.” 

Schuchat worked on the CDC emergency responses to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza response, the 2003 SARS outbreak in Beijing and the 2001 bioterrorist anthrax attacks on lawmakers. 

While Messonnier’s departure was allegedly due to internal conflicts after she was replaced as head of the CDC’s vaccine task force, Schuchat said it was just time for her to move on. 

“Over the past 33 years at CDC, I have had extraordinary experiences, both professional and personal. This summer, I’ll be leaving the agency for a retirement that I hope will allow more time for creative passions,” Schuchat said in a statement. 

“I will be leaving with the greatest respect and confidence in CDC’s leadership and staff, and the important work we do. I could not be more optimistic about the future of our agency and the prospects for our public health system. After a long and fulfilling career in public health, infectious diseases, and epidemiology, it is the time for me to smell some roses,” she added.