Governor Gavin Newsom of California has hired two former senior officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help launch California's Public Health Network Innovation Exchange (PHNIX).1

California, which has partnered with the states of Washington and Oregon, has introduced an alliance that will write public health guidance and issue vaccine use recommendations that will differ from CDC recommendations.2

Gov. Newsom has stated that due to public health policy changes being made by current CDC officials, the PHNIX plans on "filling a vacuum left by the Trump administration's systematic retreat from science and evidence-based public health."

Former CDC Officials Monarez and Houry Will Lead PHNIIX

Former director of the CDC Susan Monarez, PhD and former chief medical officer and deputy director of the CDC Debra Houry, MD, MPH will lead the PHNIX. Dr. Monarez's role will be as Strategic Health Technology and Funding advisor. She will be in charge of developing relationships with the private organizations, technology companies and academic institutions.3