The White House has selected Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill to serve as acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The decision follows the dismissal of Susan Monarez, who held the position for approximately a month.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised O’Neill’s background in technology and government, stating he is “ideally suited to transition HHS into a technological innovation powerhouse.” He highlighted O’Neill’s role in advancing AI, telemedicine, and other innovations to improve healthcare quality.
O’Neill, who joined HHS in June after years as a Silicon Valley-based investor, previously worked with the Thiel Foundation and the Thiel Fellowship. His career also includes a stint during the George W. Bush administration, where he oversaw food regulation and emergency response reforms.
The appointment comes amid upheaval at the CDC, following Monarez’s firing and recent high-profile resignations. Agency staff recently gathered to honor departing officials, including Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Dr. Daniel Jernigan, and Dr. Jennifer Layden.
Kennedy criticized the CDC’s past policies, citing “bizarre recommendations” during the COVID-19 pandemic and labeling the agency’s list of medical accomplishments—including abortion, fluoridation, and vaccines—as problematic.
O’Neill, who lacks formal training in medicine or infectious disease science, has faced scrutiny for promoting unproven treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic. He also shared conspiracy theories on social media, including claims about the origin of the term “COVID-19.”
The CDC is set to convene vaccine advisers soon, with O’Neill expected to influence new guidelines on updated COVID-19 vaccines.