California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday the appointment of two former senior officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to key roles in the state’s public health efforts. Susan Monarez, former CDC director, and Deb Houry, former CDC chief medical officer, will join the California Department of Public Health to help launch the Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX).
Monarez will serve as a strategic health technology and funding adviser, while Houry will take on the role of senior regional and global public health medical lead. Both left the CDC in August amid disagreements over new federal COVID-19 vaccine policies under Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Monarez was dismissed shortly after her confirmation as CDC director, and Houry resigned in protest of what she described as the politicization of public health.
In a statement, Monarez highlighted her commitment to leveraging California’s technology, talent, and investment to modernize public health operations and build a more resilient system. Houry emphasized the goal of advancing scalable solutions that strengthen public health infrastructure both within California and across states. PHNIX was created to modernize public health systems, enhance trust in science-driven decision-making, and foster collaboration nationally and globally.
Katelyn Jetelina, CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist, will also join the initiative, advising CDPH on maintaining public confidence in health institutions and leading Project Stethoscope, which uses social media and community-driven insights to better assess the public’s health needs. PHNIX will focus on preparedness, incorporating advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and partnerships with private and academic sectors for multi-state and global health initiatives.
California has participated in several state-level and global health programs, including the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governors’ Public Health Alliance, and the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert Response Network. The state also recently launched the Public Health for All Californians Together Coalition to share evidence-based guidelines and culturally appropriate messaging to improve community well-being.
CDPH Director Dr. Erica Pan noted that federal policy changes have created uncertainty in public health, emphasizing the importance of PHNIX in coordinating a sustainable, science-driven approach for the state. California, with 14.9 million Medi-Cal enrollees, 6.5 million Medicare recipients, and 2 million Covered California participants, faces ongoing challenges as federal ACA subsidies are set to expire unless extended or replaced.