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Obama nominates Thomas R. Frieden as new CDC director
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President Obama has nominated Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, to be the next director of the CDC.
Frieden, currently the New York City health commissioner, has a background as an infectious disease specialist. In his role as health commissioner, Frieden was a proponent of increased HIV testing and condom distribution to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Frieden also played an integral role in developing and implementing New York City’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.
In a statement announcing the nomination, Obama praised Frieden as “an expert in preparedness and response to health emergencies.”
“[Frieden’s] experiences confronting public health challenges in our country and abroad will be essential in this new role” Obama said. Obama also called Frieden a leader in health care reform and lauded his work on various public health issues, including heart disease, cancer, obesity and infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Frieden is expected to take over as CDC director by next month. The nomination does not require confirmation by the Senate.