In an announcement made on Friday, the White House revealed that Dr. Mandy Cohen, a former North Carolina official, has been appointed as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision marks a departure from the recent appointments, as Cohen brings valuable experience in leading government agencies. She served as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from 2017 until last year, and prior to that, she held positions in health-related roles at two federal agencies. President Joe Biden expressed confidence in Dr. Cohen, describing her as one of the country’s top physicians and health leaders. He praised her ability to effectively manage large and intricate organizations and highlighted her successful track record in safeguarding the health and safety of Americans. Dr. Cohen will be succeeding Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who announced her departure last month and is scheduled to leave at the end of June. The specific starting date for Dr. Cohen has yet to be announced, and her appointment does not necessitate Senate confirmation.
Assuming the task is to rewrite the entire paragraph, here’s an alternative version:
Following the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a former infectious disease expert at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, assumed the role of CDC director in 2021.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, aged 44, is set to take the helm of the CDC after a challenging period for the agency. With over 12,000 dedicated employees responsible for safeguarding the nation against disease outbreaks and other public health risks, the Atlanta-based federal agency has historically been recognized as a global leader in disease control and a trusted source of health information. However, the CDC’s reputation suffered as public trust waned, partly due to their handling of the COVID-19 crisis, compounded by political attacks and misinformation campaigns.
Under Dr. Walensky’s leadership, the CDC initiated a comprehensive reorganization endeavor aimed at enhancing the agency’s agility and strengthening its communication strategies. This restructuring effort intends to address previous missteps and bolster public confidence in the CDC’s ability to fulfill its vital mission.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, a native of Long Island, New York, was raised in a family with a healthcare background, as her mother worked as a nurse practitioner. She pursued her education at esteemed institutions, earning a medical degree from Yale University and a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University. These qualifications have equipped Dr. Cohen with a solid foundation in both clinical medicine and public health, contributing to her expertise in the field.
In addition to her medical and academic achievements, Dr. Mandy Cohen has also established herself as an advocate for healthcare reform and addressing disparities in healthcare. She played a crucial role as a founding member and former executive director of Doctors for America, an organization that strives to expand health insurance coverage and tackle racial and ethnic inequalities in healthcare. One of the co-founders of this group was Dr. Vivek Murthy, who now serves as the U.S. surgeon general. The formation of Doctors for America coincided with a movement to mobilize physicians for political action and to support Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Dr. Cohen’s career in the federal government began in 2008 when she joined the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she served as the deputy director for women’s health services. She subsequently held several federal positions, many of them within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, gradually ascending to the role of chief operating officer.
In 2017, Dr. Cohen assumed the position of secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, becoming a trusted advisor to Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she emerged as the public face of her state’s response efforts, effectively communicating the risks and precautions necessary to combat the virus. Notably, she would often wear a gold chain adorned with a charm depicting the Hebrew word for “life,” symbolizing her commitment to promoting public
Dr. Mandy Cohen gained recognition among residents as the “3 W’s lady” due to her consistent emphasis on the importance of wearing masks, practicing frequent handwashing, and maintaining a safe physical distance from others. Her unwavering commitment to these preventive measures earned her the appreciation of the community, with one individual even composing a country-rock ballad titled “Hang on Mandy, Mandy hang on” in her honor.
In 2020, Dr. Cohen found herself at odds with President Donald Trump when he insisted on a full-capacity Republican convention in Charlotte without mandatory mask-wearing. Unwilling to compromise public health standards, her office stood firm on the necessity of masks and social distancing while accommodating the GOP by easing the state’s indoor gathering restrictions. Ultimately, Trump decided to relocate the main events from Charlotte.
Dr. Cohen resigned from her state position in late 2021, citing a desire to spend more time with her family and explore new opportunities. Subsequently, she assumed a leadership role at Aledade Inc., a consulting company based in Maryland, where she continued to contribute her expertise and experience in the healthcare field.
