New CDC Head Apologizes for Staff’s Lack of Psychological Safety
The new director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told agency employees that she wants them to feel safe and not fear retributions for honest conversations, according to a recording of the meeting heard by Bloomberg News.
The new director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Erica Schwartz, apologized for the agency's lack of psychological safety during her first address to the entire staff. Schwartz expressed regret for employees having to endure "extreme psychological unsafety" and pledged to hold leaders accountable for any perceived retribution against those who speak up.
The CDC has faced turmoil under former Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with thousands of career employees leaving and a shooting incident occurring due to Covid vaccine misinformation. Schwartz, the first permanent director in a year, outlined her priorities for the agency, including reestablishing trust, strengthening the agency's threat detection capabilities, and enhancing partnerships with various stakeholders.
She emphasized her belief in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and expressed confidence in her ability to lead the agency despite potential political pressures.
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