CDC staff still reeling a year after Atlanta shooting, criticize agency leadership
One year after a gunman killed a police officer at the CDC headquarters, employees say morale remains low and leadership responses have been inadequate.
A year after an anti-vaccine gunman opened fire at the CDC’s Atlanta campus, killing police officer David Rose before taking his own life, employees report lingering damage to the facility and a deteriorating work environment. Union president Yolanda Jacobs said the agency has suffered nearly a 30% staff reduction since 2024 and that recent leadership changes have left workers feeling unsupported. During a recent HHS-organized event, staff felt the tone was more confrontational than commemorative, with senior officials such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya perceived as blaming the workforce for the tragedy.
An alumni-hosted off-site ceremony offered a more comforting alternative for some employees. The Senate’s recent confirmation of Erica Schwartz as CDC director gives staff a chance for renewed direction, though many remain anxious about morale and retention.
Why it matters
The ongoing distress among CDC workers could affect the agency’s ability to manage public health emergencies.
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