On March 23, 2023, ASTHO President Anne Zink testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding sustainable and flexible public health funding.
The VDH Internship Academy, funded by PHIG, is a key pipeline for public health careers with paid, growth-focused internships.
(More) Recent Shifts in HHS Leadership: June 2026 More Recent Shifts in HHS Leadership: June 2026 Catherine Murphy Get the latest updates on changes in leadership at CDC, FDA, HHS, and more in this Federal Health Policy Update. This provides updates to a previous Federal Health Policy Update: Recent HHS Leadership Changes That Impact Public Health. As Congress heads into a busy summer of work on FY27 appropriations, a potential reconciliation package, and looming midterm elections, the Trump Administration continues shaping HHS to the President’s Make America Healthy Again agenda. Since our last update in April, there have been a handful of new leadership shifts within HHS agencies. CDC Since the departure of Susan Monarez from her role as CDC Director in August 2025, the position has been covered by acting directors. In April, President Trump announced Erica Schwartz as his new pick for CDC Director. Schwartz brings experience as a physician in the U.S. Navy, as chief medical officer in the Coast Guard, and helped lead the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as deputy surgeon general. The Senate HELP Committee has not yet noticed a hearing to review her nomination. Public response to her nomination, though, has been generally positive. In the same announcement, President Trump also highlighted his appointment of Jennifer Shuford as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer, and Sean Slovenski as CDC Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer. Shuford, an ASTHO alumni member, is the former commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services and an infectious disease physician. Before her tenure as commissioner, she was the chief state epidemiologist. Slovenski brings a background as a health care executive and entrepreneur, with experience ranging from telehealth and wellness incentives, major companies and brands, and advocacy. Surgeon General The confirmation proceedings of President Trump’s previous pick for Surgeon General, Casey Means, stalled as senators deliberated on her statements on vaccine safety after her appearance before the Senate HELP Committee in February. At the end of April, the President announced his nomination of Nicole Saphier, a radiologist, director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth, and former medical contributor to the Fox News Channel. Saphier is viewed as a more mainstream nominee given that she is generally supportive of vaccines. Her priorities also include building trust in public health recommendations, combating chronic disease, and reducing ultra-processed foods. FDA In early May, it was announced that Commissioner Marty Makary would be leaving his role. Kyle Diamantas, formerly FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, has taken over as Acting Commissioner for the agency. Before joining FDA, Acting Commissioner Diamantas practiced law, focusing on food, drug, and life sciences regulatory matters. A nominee for FDA Commissioner has not yet been announced. Donald A. Prater has taken over as acting head of the Human Foods Program. ASPR In April, Sean Kaufman was announced as the White House nominee to lead ASPR as the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. He specializes in preventing spread of infectious disease and brings experience as a Senior Advisor for Global Affairs at CDC and, in previous roles, responded to infectious disease outbreaks including anthrax, SARS, and West Nile virus. HHS Additionally, Sara Brenner was announced as Senior Counselor for Public Health to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. In her past roles, she served within FDA as Acting Commissioner and Principal Deputy Commissioner within the Office of the Commissioner. She is a preventive medicine and public health physician with extensive experience in federal health policy. In her broad federal experience, she has worked on COVID-19 response, within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and worked on medical countermeasures and preparedness efforts. Leadership Promotes Trust in Public Health Minimizing leadership turnover bolsters stability in the public health continuum and allows for a more robust response to current and emerging public health threats. Ongoing changes within HHS can create uncertainty for the entire health ecosystem, from practitioners awaiting public health guidance to the broader public. In an environment where stability, clear communication, and transparency are needed, confirming leadership that promotes concise, well-researched advice will help continue efforts to rebuild trust in our governmental public health enterprise. These recently announced leaders bring a wealth of experience to their roles and have an opportunity to promote strong, evidence-based public health guidance for Americans. The Senate HELP Committee has not yet noticed confirmation hearings to review the nominations of the Senate-confirmed positions: the CDC Director, Surgeon General, and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response are expected to be reviewed by the panel. ASTHO will continue to track updates to HHS leadership and confirmations. Reviewed by - Ekoma, Staley article yes
Investing in Indiana’s Public Health Infrastructure Through Community-Driven Policy Change public health infrastructure, community driven policy, indiana state health commissioner, public health system, indiana department of health, outpatient facilities, technical assistance, data and information integration, emergency preparedness, child and adolescent health, legislative action, state and local elected officials, health problems, health care, health system, health departments, federal agencies, essential public health services, centers for disease control, state and local levels, health outcomes, health organization, covid-19 pandemic, health infrastructure, promoting health, public health organizations, states public health, federal funding, astho, association of state and territorial health officials Maggie Davis, Keith Coleman Indiana enacts historic public health funding through community engagement and legislative support. In April 2023, Indiana passed bill SB 4, which was a historic investment in the state's public health funding and restructuring its public health system. This case study shares how the Governor's Public Health Commission and the Indiana Department of Health approached community listening sessions, formulated recommendations, and successfully built legislative support to reform the public health system in the state. Get the Report (PDF) website yes
ASTHO’s membership comprises chief health officials from across the nation who receive ongoing capacity building, technical assistance, and leadership development.
This ASTHOBrief addresses the importance of developing robust, culturally competent risk-appropriate care systems for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Public Health Thank You Day Public Health Thank You Day 2024 Scott Harris, Joseph Kanter In honor of Public Health Thank You Day, ASTHO President Scott Harris and ASTHO CEO Joseph Kanter share a message of gratitude to all hardworking public health professionals who help keep the nation healthy and well. <!-- Public Health Thank You Day 2024 - Harris - Audio Embed Public Health Thank You Day 2024 - Harris - Transcript Medium Padding 2 Public Health Thank You Day 2024 - Kanter - Audio Embed Public Health Thank You Day 2024 - Kanter - Transcript --> article yes
Alabama shares six ways a cross-cutting approach successfully impacted its PHIG workplan implementation.
ASTHO President Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, shares a message of gratitude to all of the hardworking public health professionals that help keep the nation healthy and well.
As in any sector, there is often talk in the public health field of “working upstream,” or addressing problems at their source. If public health is going to be a changemaker in the world, its leaders must be equal parts nimble and innovative.
An interview with ASTHO President Anne Zink (SHO-AK) about strengthening state and federal connections for public health.
The Louisiana Department of Health HAI/AR program highlights the current landscape of HAI/AR programs, the benefits of having leadership dedicated to the HAI/AR program mission and priorities, and the need for alignment of HAI/AR program communications and structure with state and territorial health agencies.
After years of advocacy, ASTHO and our partners are celebrating the recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act.
ASTHO interviews Anne Zink, MD, as she steps into her role as the association's 80th president.
Accurate and timely communication from health officials during a public health emergency is critical to ensure people can reduce their risk of illness or death. Karen Smith (alumni-CA) talks about her experiences communicating policy changes, as well as key strategies for maintaining public trust.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of having in-house skills to respond to worldwide public health emergencies. Because of this, the American College of Preventive Medicine recommends that health departments consider bringing a board-certified preventive medicine physician on staff or to have one available to assist with preparedness and population health interventions.
ASTHO’s Leadership Trailblazers series shares outstanding public health leaders’ inspirations, motivations, and accomplishments. This post features Joneigh S. Khaldun (alumni–MI), Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer at CVS.
This interview is part of ASTHO’s Leadership Trailblazers series, which shares outstanding public health leaders’ inspirations, motivations, and accomplishments. This post features Anne Zink, MD, FACEP, chief medical officer of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
This interview is part of ASTHO’s Leadership Trailblazers series, which shares outstanding public health leaders’ inspirations, motivations, and accomplishments. This post features Karyl Thomas Rattay, MD, MS, director of the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Amid so much uncertainty, it might feel naïve to make any claims about what the future holds. But it is in these moments that it becomes more important than ever to have beacons to guide us and give us hope. As we look ahead to 2022, here are four priorities that must steer the public health course in the year to come.