[On June 16] President Biden nominated Dr. Mandy Cohen to serve as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The role is critical to leading data collection and implementing evidence-based interventions that reduce cancer incidence and mortality including informing state tobacco prevention and cessation programs and preventive screening programs like the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program that improves early detection.

“Dr. Cohen has been instrumental in spearheading lifesaving initiatives that have been critical in preventing cancer before diagnosis and stressing the importance of cancer prevention by promoting health and wellness,” noted Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “Her deep understanding of the complexities of health care policies and programs and forward-looking approach toward the programs, policies and processes needed to both prevent cancer and properly prepare for public health emergencies make her uniquely positioned for such a critical role.”

Cohen most recently served as the North Carolina Director of Health and Human Services, leading the state health department through the critical beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s held numerous leadership roles including serving as both chief operating officer and chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

A graduate of Cornell University, Cohen received her medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and a Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

“We strongly support the President’s choice in naming Dr. Cohen as the next CDC director,” noted Lisa Lacasse, President of ACS CAN. “We’re excited to see her bring her breadth of knowledge in public health, and shared commitment to cancer prevention to her new role as our nation’s leader on public health. Through this position, she has the opportunity to build on highly impactful cancer prevention and screening programs, tobacco control initiatives and more that will lead us to end cancer as we know it, for all.”

This press release was originally published June 16, 2023, by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. It is republished with permission.