CDC leaders rally troops, sidestep controversy in all-hands meeting

In their first all-staff meeting since the start of the Trump administration, the interim leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attempted to sidestep controversy and rally troops at the storied but demoralized agency on Tuesday.

Staff were told CDC director nominee Susan Monarez has begun meeting with senators in advance of a still-unscheduled Senate confirmation hearing. They were also informed the June meeting of the agency’s expert vaccine panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will be shorter than anticipated because the eight new members of the committee — 17 previous members were fired last week by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — are not yet in a position to deal with all the agenda items.

There were no audible outbursts from staff during the tightly scripted hour-long meeting, which STAT listened to. But an email sent to agency personnel on Monday from CDC’s Office of Safety, Security, and Asset Management suggested there may have been fears the meeting could have been tense. “In advance of tomorrow’s CDC All-Staff meeting, we wanted to provide staff with the following reminders,” it began. Among the reminders was a list of items staff may not bring on CDC campuses that included firearms, mace or pepper sprays, or bladed tools. (STAT has viewed a copy of the email.)

The meeting also touched on the challenges the agency is facing, including the recent changes in leadership and the need to rebuild trust and morale among staff. The interim leadership emphasized the importance of staying focused on the agency’s mission of protecting public health and addressing infectious disease threats.

Despite the uncertainties and changes happening within the agency, there was a sense of unity and determination among the staff to continue their important work. The meeting served as a reminder of the resilience and dedication of the CDC employees in the face of adversity.

As the agency navigates through this transition period, it is crucial for all staff members to remain committed to their roles in safeguarding public health and promoting disease prevention. The future of the CDC may be uncertain, but the dedication and expertise of its employees will continue to be the driving force in combating infectious diseases and ensuring the well-being of the nation.