President Donald Trump announced on April 17, 2026, the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Shuford as deputy director and chief medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trump revealed the decision in a post on Truth Social, bypassing Senate confirmation for the role. Shuford, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services since 2022, steps into the position after managing major public health crises in the state.
Shuford directed Texas' response to a 2025 measles outbreak in West Texas that sickened 762 people and claimed the lives of two children. The incident marked the largest U.S. measles outbreak in 30 years, with response costs exceeding $10 million.
Before her commissioner role, Shuford served as Texas' chief state epidemiologist. She guided the state's COVID-19 public health efforts from Austin, drawing on her background as an infectious disease physician trained at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She also holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard University.
Trump praised her credentials in his announcement.
Joseph Kanter, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, endorsed Shuford's selection. He highlighted her track record in public health leadership.
She is widely respected within the public health and governmental leadership communities... has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a steadfast commitment to evidence-based public health.
Joseph Kanter, CEO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
The appointment comes as Trump reshapes federal health leadership. Shuford's experience contrasts with some administration figures; she has publicly supported vaccines during Texas outbreaks, unlike Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past vaccine skepticism.
Texas Tribune reporter Vianna Davila covered the announcement, noting Shuford's hands-on role in the measles crisis. "The outbreak strained resources across West Texas counties," Vianna Davila, Texas Tribune reporter, said, detailing hospitalizations and school closures.
KUT.org health reporter Sergio Martínez-Beltrán emphasized Shuford's dual role at the CDC, which includes overseeing medical operations without needing congressional approval. He pointed to her COVID modeling that informed state lockdowns and reopenings.
Chron.com staff writer Jennifer Rodgers called the pick a stabilizing force for the CDC. "Shuford brings no anti-vaccine baggage," Jennifer Rodgers, Chron.com staff writer, wrote, linking to detailed Texas outbreak data.
Public health experts in Texas recall Shuford's daily briefings during the measles surge. "She integrated local health departments with federal support seamlessly," Dr. Catherine Troisi, epidemiologist at UTHealth Houston, said.
The role positions Shuford just below CDC Director Susan Monarez, another Trump appointee. Monarez, a family physician, has focused on chronic disease prevention. Together, they aim to redirect agency priorities toward what Trump calls "common-sense science."
Shuford's tenure in Texas included expanding mental health services and opioid response programs. In 2024, she oversaw distribution of 500,000 naloxone kits statewide, credited with reversing overdose trends in rural areas.
Critics question the speed of such appointments. "This position shapes outbreak responses and policy for 330 million Americans," Tom Frieden, former CDC Director (2013-2017), said in a statement.
Supporters argue Shuford's state-level success proves her readiness. "She delivered results when it counted most," Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said on X, referencing the measles vaccination drives that contained spread beyond initial hotspots.
