Assistant Secretary Dawn O’Connell released the following statement on CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s intent to depart the public health agency at the end of June:
“Dr. Walensky has been one of my closest allies in our fight against COVID-19, mpox, and our preparations for future public health threats. Her work at the CDC saved countless lives – providing pandemic leadership to the American public, modernizing data infrastructures, and reorganizing the agency for the future. During the longest days of our pandemic response, Dr. Walensky was a steady hand and a trusted partner to me and many at HHS.
Under her leadership our organizations have worked together seamlessly to tackle many of the hardest problems. She will be sorely missed but I could not be more thankful to have served alongside her. CDC and ASPR’s close partnership will continue as we prepare for whatever comes next.”