Biden introduces his health care picks
Biden is introducing a slate of health care experts and officials who will lead his administration's response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
"Today, I’m very proud to be announcing our health care and COVID team at a critical time, as we near the end of one of the toughest years we've faced as a nation," Biden said, adding this group of "world class experts" will be "ready on day one."
California attorney general and former California congressman, Xavier Becerra, is Biden's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. If confirmed, he would be the first Latino to lead the department.
Vivek Muthy has been nominated to be U.S. surgeon general, a role he served in during the Obama administration.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a leading expert on virus testing, prevention and treatment, is nominated to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, one of the country’s foremost experts on health care disparities, will serve as the COVID-19 equity task force chair.
As Biden said last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci will stay on in his current role as as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and will take on the elevated role of Biden's chief medical adviser on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jeff Zients will serve as coordinator of the COVID-19 response and counselor to the president, and Natalie Quillian will serve as deputy coordinator of the COVID-19 response.