The next leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to be a doctor from North Carolina.
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The next leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to be a doctor from North Carolina
President Joe Biden on Friday announced his selection of Dr. Mandy Cohen as director of the organization whose mission is to “protect the public health”
As Cohen’s name came up in recent weeks for the CDC post, a couple of dozen Republicans in Congress, including Sen. Ted Budd and Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina, joined in a letter saying that he has politicized science and ignored civil liberties.
Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris also says Cohen is a great communicator; and argues that even when the two debated where resources should go in the state, Cohen was fair
President Joe Biden on Friday announced his selection of Dr. Mandy Cohen as director of the organization whose mission is to “protect the public health.”
Biden’s appointment comes after Dr. Rochelle Walensky left this month amid mounting pressure over how the agency informed the public about the pandemic.
In North Carolina, Cohen led the state’s Department of Health and Human Services for five years, and had done so during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cohen’s supporters say she has the perfect balance of federal and state government experience to make her a good fit for a job that has become highly political.
Dr. Cohen became a household name in North Carolina during the early days of COVID-19. As people sheltered at home, Cohen, along with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, provided more than 150 regular updates on the latest numbers, warnings and restrictions.
He led the state Department of Health and Human Services for five years before leaving early last year to work in the private sector. The state agency has more employees than the CDC, though a significantly smaller budget.
Prior to that, Cohen worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Dr. Krishnan Narasimhan met Cohen at the organization she co-founded: Doctors for America. The organization worked to advocate for policy changes such as the Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA.
“The experience that Dr. Cohen will bring to the table is that ability to handle government, and she’s been there both at the state level and also at the highest federal levels to figure out how to take an agency and make it work for the public Dr. Narasimhan told Spectrum News.
Biden’s decision to nominate Cohen is drawing displeasure from some.
As Cohen’s name came up in recent weeks for the CDC post, a couple of dozen Republicans in Congress, including Sen. Ted Budd and Rep. Dan Bishop, both of North Carolina, joined in a letter saying it has politicized science and has no regard for civil liberties.
They cite the state’s decision to require children to wear masks to school during parts of the pandemic.
Spectrum News spoke with former Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris, who knew Cohen during the height of the pandemic.
While the job will be challenging, Harris says Cohen will relish the opportunity given the intense scrutiny.
“I think he likes a challenge; I think this presents a challenge of a lifetime,” Harris said.
Harris also says Cohen is a great communicator; and argues that even when the two debated where resources should go in the state, Cohen was fair.
Research shows public confidence in the CDC has eroded. Outgoing director Walensky is frequently grilled by Republicans when she’s on Capitol Hill.
“Public health people, especially in leadership positions, either have thick skin or they don’t survive very long,” Harris told Spectrum News. “Mandy is a good combination of thick skin and can be open and compassionate with people with that balance – I think she’ll be able to handle it.”
Fortunately for Cohen, the CDC is not a position subject to confirmation by Congress.
