Brenda Fitzgerald, MD
On July 7, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, MD, named Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, as the 17th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
“I am extremely proud and excited to announce Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald as the new Director of the CDC,” said Secretary Price. “Having known Dr. Fitzgerald for many years, I know she has a deep appreciation and understanding of medicine, public health, policy, and leadership—all qualities that will prove vital as she leads the CDC in its work to protect America’s health 24/7.”
Dr. Fitzgerald has practiced medicine for 3 decades. She has been the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and State Health Officer for the past 6 years. As Georgia DPH Commissioner, Dr. Fitzgerald oversaw various state public health programs and directed the state’s 18 public health districts and 159 county health departments. Prior to that, she served on the board and as President of the Georgia OBGyn Society and worked as a health-care policy advisor with House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senator Paul Coverdell.
Dr. Fitzgerald received her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. She completed postgraduate training at the Emory-Grady Hospitals in Atlanta and was Assistant Clinical Professor at Emory Medical Center. ■
