California Governor Taps Former CDC Leaders to Head New Public Health Initiative
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a decisive move to bolster California’s public health system, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday the appointment of two former senior officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lead a new state initiative aimed at modernizing public health infrastructure. Susan Monarez, the former CDC Director, and Deb Houry, the former CDC Chief Medical Officer, will join the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to spearhead the launch of the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX).
Both Monarez and Houry departed the CDC last August amid controversial policy shifts under Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had implemented changes limiting access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Monarez was dismissed after refusing to endorse the new vaccine policies, while Houry resigned in protest of what she described as the politicization of public health under Kennedy’s leadership. Their return to public health leadership in California signals a renewed commitment to science-driven decision-making and innovation in the face of federal uncertainty.
Monarez will serve as a strategic health technology and funding adviser for PHNIX, bringing her expertise in health innovation to California’s vast network of technology and investment resources. Houry will take on the role of senior regional and global public health medical adviser, focusing on scalable solutions that strengthen public health systems within California and beyond. “California has an extraordinary concentration of talent, technology, and investment,” Monarez said in a statement. “This effort is about putting those strengths to work for the public good — modernizing how public health operates, accelerating innovation and building a healthier, more resilient future for all Californians.”
PHNIX is designed to unite the best scientific minds, cutting-edge tools, and collaborative partnerships to advance public health preparedness and infrastructure. The initiative will focus on deploying advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, and developing frameworks for multi-state and global health partnerships involving private and academic sectors. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of this approach, stating that it will provide “trust and stability in scientific data not just across California, but nationally and globally.”
Joining Monarez and Houry is Katelyn Jetelina, CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist, who will advise CDPH on maintaining public confidence in health institutions amid what she describes as a “chaotic health information environment.” Jetelina will also lead Project Stethoscope, an effort to leverage social media monitoring, community-driven insights, and targeted research to better understand and respond to the health concerns of Californians.
California’s public health efforts have increasingly taken on a regional and global dimension. The state is a member of the West Coast Health Alliance, which includes officials from Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii, and participates in the Governors Public Health Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 15 states focused on global situational awareness. Notably, California was the first state to join the World Health Organization Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, underscoring its commitment to global health security.
The CDPH has also launched the Public Health for All Californians Together Coalition, a network of public health professionals, researchers, and community advocates dedicated to sharing evidence-based guidelines and culturally appropriate health messaging. Dr. Erica Pan, California’s state public health officer, praised the new appointments, saying, “Dramatic and unfounded changes in federal policy, funding, and scientific practice have created uncertainty and instability in public health and health care. I am thrilled to work with these advisors to catalyze our efforts to lead a sustainable future for public health.”
California’s health system is among the nation’s largest, with nearly 15 million residents enrolled in Medi-Cal, 6.5 million in Medicare, and 2 million in Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace. The expiration of enhanced federal ACA subsidies at the end of the year adds urgency to state-led efforts to ensure health coverage and public health resilience.
As the state navigates these complex challenges, PHNIX represents a strategic investment in science, technology, and collaboration to safeguard the health of Californians. More information on California’s public health initiatives can be found on the California Department of Public Health website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site.
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