CDC Director Resigns After Report She Bought Tobacco Shares

The head of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resigned, after facing mounting concerns about her personal financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald’s resignation comes a day after a Politico report she bought shares in a tobacco company a month after she took over as CDC director. She since sold the stock.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, who heads the American Public Health Association, said he has confidence in the CDC staff and its interim director, but he has some concerns about who President Trump may appoint next.

“I think it’s going to be important that they spend the time to make sure the next director is just as competent – is science based, science driven, has the leadership skills and truly knows public health,” Benjamin said.

He said Fitzgerald is well regarded and respected in the field.

She’s been unable to testify before Congress for more than seven months because of financial conflicts of interest. Her investments include stocks in pharmaceuticals, food and health companies.

Fitzgerald has championed efforts to help people quit smoking since her time as commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Public Health.

Tom Frieden, the previous CDC director, said in a statement that he’s spoken with Fitzgerald.

“She understands that any affiliation between the tobacco industry and public health is unacceptable,” he said.

Fitzgerald is the second of President Trump’s Georgian appointees to resign over ethical concerns. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned in September.