Biden Plans to Tap Mandy Cohen for CDC Director, Replacing Walensky

President Joe Biden intends to nominate Mandy Cohen, North Carolina’s former health secretary who led the state’s response to the pandemic, to be director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Cohen, an internal medicine physician, would replace Rochelle Walensky, who has said she plans to step down from the post at the end of June. Though the decision isn’t final and paperwork must still be completed, Cohen is the leading candidate, said the person, who asked not to be named as the process is ongoing. She was selected for her track record in federal and state government, as well as her experience as an industry executive at a network of primary-care practices, the person said.