Media Statement

Statement from Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Acting Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

It has been my great pleasure and honor to serve as the acting CDC Director/ATSDR Administrator position these few months. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to guide the nation’s premier public health agency. I’ve gotten to know and work with people from all across CDC and ATSDR. What has impressed me most is the passion and commitment in every corner of CDC. I have seen people passionate about their work and about what we are all here to do: improve and protect the health of the people everywhere.

I also extend a personal welcome to our new CDC director and ATSDR Administrator, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden. Dr. Frieden is one of the nation’s leading public health experts and a consummate innovator. He’s had dramatic success in New York City using policy approaches to reduce smoking and tobacco use and to help reduce and eliminate trans-fats in restaurant meals. He also is quite familiar with CDC, having worked for CDC for 12 years including serving as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer from 1990 to 1992.

I know CDC will be in great hands with Dr. Frieden. This is a tremendously exciting time for public health. The opportunities and challenges are tremendous. I look forward to working with Dr. Frieden during this transition and welcoming him when he arrives in early June. Under Dr. Frieden’s leadership, we can and will make a difference.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES