NIH Director Bhattacharya to Oversee CDC Amidst Leadership Challenges

Washington D.C. – National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya will also temporarily assume the role of acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Trump administration announced on February 18, 2026. This appointment comes as the administration seeks a permanent director for the CDC and the agency faces significant staffing cuts and internal restructuring.

Bhattacharya’s Dual Role

Dr. Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University, is known for his views during the COVID-19 pandemic, including advocating against widespread lockdowns. He will continue to lead the NIH while simultaneously overseeing the CDC until President Trump appoints a permanent director, a position that will require Senate confirmation. Health Policy Watch reports this dual leadership reflects a tightening of control by the administration.

Challenges Facing the CDC

The leadership change occurs amidst a period of upheaval for the CDC. The Trump administration has reportedly gutted programs within the agency, including those focused on sexually transmitted infections like HIV. Concerns have also been raised regarding declining public trust in the CDC, with only 47% of Americans expressing at least “a fair amount” of trust in the agency to provide reliable vaccine information – a 12 percentage point decrease since the beginning of President Trump’s second administration. CIDRAP

Concerns from NIH Scientists

Career scientists at the NIH have voiced concerns regarding policies implemented during the second Trump administration, suggesting they could negatively impact public health both domestically and globally. there are concerns that Dr. Bhattacharya has delegated many of his day-to-day responsibilities at the NIH, raising questions about leadership capacity when his attention is divided between the two major health agencies.

Search for a Permanent Director

The White House has tasked Chris Klomp, a rising star within the Department of Health and Human Services, with leading the search for a permanent CDC director. Klomp stated his focus is entirely on this directive from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And the White House.

Bhattacharya’s Background

Dr. Bhattacharya is a physician and medical economist who transitioned from Stanford University to join the Trump administration. He does not have formal training in public health, but his research centers on population well-being, aligning with the CDC’s core mission. UNMC