Brenda Fitzgerald

Brenda Fitzgerald official photo

Brenda Fitzgerald is an American physician and public health official who served as the 17th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from July 2017 until her resignation in January 2018. Fitzgerald's tenure at the CDC was marked by her efforts to address the opioid epidemic, obesity, and tobacco use, although her time in office was also characterized by controversies regarding her financial investments and potential conflicts of interest.

Early Life and Education

Brenda Fitzgerald was born in Georgia, where she pursued her early education. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University and received her Doctor of Medicine from the Emory University School of Medicine. Following her graduation, Fitzgerald completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology, establishing a foundation for her career in women's health.

Career

Before her appointment to the CDC, Fitzgerald had a long career in both clinical practice and public health. She worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist, running a private practice in Georgia for several years. Her interest in public health led her to serve on the board of the Georgia Department of Public Health and eventually become the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, a position she held from 2011 until her appointment to the CDC in 2017.

As Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, Fitzgerald focused on improving child health metrics, combating obesity through statewide initiatives, and enhancing emergency preparedness among healthcare facilities. Her work in Georgia was recognized for its emphasis on data-driven approaches to public health challenges.

Tenure at the CDC

Fitzgerald's tenure at the CDC was brief but notable for its focus on combating the opioid crisis, an issue she declared as a public health emergency. She advocated for increased awareness and education on opioid use and dependency, as well as enhanced surveillance and research efforts to understand and mitigate the epidemic. Additionally, Fitzgerald continued her work on obesity prevention and tobacco control, areas she had previously focused on during her time in Georgia.

However, Fitzgerald's time at the CDC was also marked by controversy. Questions arose regarding her financial investments and potential conflicts of interest, particularly investments in tobacco and pharmaceutical companies that posed a conflict with her role as CDC Director. These concerns ultimately led to her resignation in January 2018, after serving for approximately six months.

Legacy and Resignation

Fitzgerald's resignation underscored the importance of transparency and ethical compliance in public health leadership. Despite the controversies, her career reflects a longstanding commitment to public health and preventive medicine, particularly in the areas of women's health, obesity, and tobacco use.

Following her departure from the CDC, Fitzgerald has remained engaged in public health discussions, though her role has been more limited compared to her tenure in public service.

See Also

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Public Health
• Opioid Epidemic
• Obesity
• Tobacco Smoking