(The Epoch Times)—President Donald Trump on April 16 nominated a new director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Erica Schwartz will now face senators, who will decide whether to confirm her as the CDC’s leader.
Here’s what to know about Schwartz.
She Has Public Health Experience
Schwartz graduated from Brown University in 1998 with a medical degree. She later obtained a master’s degree in public health and a law degree.
She went on to serve as a Navy doctor and as the Coast Guard’s chief medical officer. During Trump’s first term, she served as the deputy surgeon general.
Schwartz was directly involved in the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing national preparedness and public health coordination efforts.
Dr. Brett Giroir, a health official at the time, said, “I worked closely with her during the toughest of times and have the highest opinion of her intellect, integrity, and commitment to service.”
Schwartz “led the country’s public health deployment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to her biography for the Butterfly Network, where she serves on the board of directors.
Earlier in her career, Schwartz developed policies on vaccination and communicable diseases, including guidance on responding to natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks.
She spent time as head of the Immunization Clinic at the Naval Medical Clinic in Maryland and as an epidemiologist at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center in Virginia.
She Has Backing From RFK Jr.
Trump, while announcing the nomination, praised Schwartz as an “incredibly talented” individual who he said would help restore “the gold standard of science” at the CDC.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose department oversees the CDC, backed the nomination.
Schwartz and others selected by Trump to lead the CDC are “an extraordinary team” that has “gotten applause from both Republicans and Democrats,” Kennedy told lawmakers on Capitol Hill on April 16. “I think this new team is really going to be able to revolutionize CDC and get it back on track and get it doing the job that it does better than any other health agency in the world.”
Trump’s first pick to lead the CDC, Dr. Dave Weldon, was withdrawn from consideration after some senators on the Senate Health Committee said they would not vote to advance his nomination to the full Senate. Weldon had said he supported vaccines but that he was concerned about the safety of some shots.
Susan Monarez, a microbiologist who held various government positions, later received Senate confirmation and became the CDC’s director. She lasted about one month before Trump fired her.
Monarez said that Kennedy tried pressuring her into accepting recommendations from the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, which Kennedy completely remade, without question. Kennedy said he merely asked Monarez to consider the panel’s recommendations.
Jim O’Neill, an investor who was the CDC’s acting director after Monarez’s termination, approved all recommendations from the committee, including rolling back the recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine. A federal judge ruled in March that the committee had not been properly selected and blocked the vaccine schedule changes.
Support From Kennedy Critics
A number of Kennedy’s critics have come forward to support Schwartz, including Dr. Demetre Daskalakis.
He said that Schwartz showed “good leadership” during the pandemic and had a “proven track record with the commissioned corps, notably with pandemic preparedness.”
Daskalakis was director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases until he resigned in protest over Monarez’s firing. He has repeatedly criticized Kennedy and Trump over health-related moves, including the changes to vaccine recommendations.
Dr. Jerome Adams, the surgeon general during Trump’s first term and another Kennedy critic, said in an April 16 post on X that Schwartz “has the expertise, credibility, and integrity to lead the CDC effectively.”
“If allowed to follow the science without political interference, she’ll excel,” Adams wrote on X. “Cautiously optimistic but encouraged by this pick.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate Health Committee, thanked Trump in a post on X for nominating a permanent CDC leader and said he looked forward to learning more about Schwartz and her vision for the agency.
Opposed by Some
Others said they opposed Schwartz’s nomination, such as Aaron Siri, a onetime lawyer for Kennedy who represents people who say, some with doctor notes, that they were injured by vaccines.
“Her long track record of directly issuing rights-crushing civilian and military vaccine mandates, including mandating injection of smallpox, anthrax, and flu vaccines into U.S. Forces, and discipling those that refused, reflects she lacks the basic ethics and morals to lead the CDC,” he wrote. “This agency does not need another cheerleader for industry; it needs a regulator over industry.”
While she was the Coast Guard’s chief medical officer, Schwartz signed orders on vaccine mandates.
Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, founder of the Americans for Health Freedom group, disagreed, saying that there was not enough information at this time.
“What strikes me most about Schwartz for CDC director is how little we know about her,” Bowden wrote in a post on X. “She checks all the boxes and hasn’t left a paper trail.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
