Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Ralph Abraham, M.D., has been sworn in as Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He will begin his duties at CDC headquarters in Atlanta on January 5, 2026.
Dr. Abraham brings nearly 30 years of experience as a medical practitioner, including his recent role as Louisiana's Surgeon General. There, he led health policy development, advocated for disease prevention, and coordinated interagency efforts to improve health outcomes.
According to a CDC statement, his appointment aims to strengthen the agency's focus as the nation's primary defender against infectious disease. Secretary Kennedy cited Dr. Abraham's integrity, courage, and decades of medical experience as vital for restoring public trust in the CDC.
Deputy Secretary and Acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill noted the CDC's renewed focus on defending the U.S. and the world from infectious disease, and advancing Secretary Kennedy's vision for improved national health. Dr. Abraham's clinical and scientific expertise is expected to support greater transparency and agency effectiveness.
Dr. Abraham expressed his commitment to reforming the CDC, emphasizing sound science and the removal of ideological bias. He aims to make the CDC a global model for infectious disease tracking, prevention, and treatment. His background includes veterinary and medical degrees from Louisiana State University, family medicine practice, service in Congress representing Louisiana's fifth district, and international humanitarian missions.