Biden Appoints Walensky as Next CDC Director... Expert in AIDS and Infectious Disease Control

Dr. Rochelle Walensky of Massachusetts General Hospital
[Image source: Massachusetts General Hospital website]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has selected Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and an expert in AIDS eradication, as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to multiple U.S. media reports. The news of Dr. Walensky's selection has reportedly been welcomed by the American medical community.

According to foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 6th (local time), Biden is expected to appoint Dr. Walensky as the next CDC director. The CDC director can be appointed by the president without Senate confirmation. Dr. Walensky is known as a prominent AIDS eradication expert in the U.S. and is expected to oversee the response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to the U.S. political media outlet Politico, Biden's transition team plans to resume the regular media briefings previously held by the CDC and to restore key roles to career officials who were sidelined under pressure from the White House during President Donald Trump's administration. The Biden transition team has emphasized prioritizing science and medical experts' recommendations over politics in responding to infectious diseases. Politico reported that the American medical community is also celebrating Walensky's appointment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.