Biden picks Mandy Cohen to serve as CDC director

She will replace outgoing CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, whose tenure included the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Ben Whedon

Published: June 16, 2023 3:26pm

President Joe Biden on Friday announced that he had selected former North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen to serve as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Dr. Cohen is one of the nation’s top physicians and health leaders with experience leading large and complex organizations, and a proven track-record protecting Americans’ health and safety," Biden said in a statement, pointing to her management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state and her role in expanding Medicaid.

"Dr. Cohen held senior roles at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services where she helped implement Affordable Care Act programs, including expanding insurance coverage and protections," he added.

Her tenure in Raleigh ended in 2021 and she currently serves as executive vice president of Aledade.

She will replace outgoing CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, whose tenure included the COVID-19 pandemic. Walensky was a staunch advocate of pandemic lockdowns. She appeared before the House coronavirus committee this week during which Republicans questioned her handling of the pandemic and relationship with the Biden administration.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.