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The management team will be made up of Dr. David Fleming, who will serve as acting director; Dr. James Hughes and Dr. Julie Gerberding, who will lead the agency's bioterrorism efforts; and Dr. Michael Osterholm, who will serve as Secretary Thompson's representative at CDC during the transition.

"This team of skilled professionals will serve the CDC, the department and the nation well until a permanent director is selected," Secretary Thompson said. "Each brings expertise and years of experience in promoting health that will prove invaluable during this transition period."

Dr. Fleming is the CDC deputy director for science and public health, Dr. Hughes is the director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases at CDC, and Dr. Gerberding is the acting deputy director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases. Dr. Osterholm, formerly Minnesota's state epidemiologist, is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

CDC Director Jeffrey Koplan is retiring from the CDC, effective March 31, after 26 years in public service. Dr. Koplan has accepted a job at Emory University, where he will be the vice president for academic health affairs.

"Dr. Koplan has been a true leader in the health care field for nearly three decades, and he will be sorely missed at the CDC and within the department," Secretary Thompson said. "I am sure he will continue his remarkable career with more groundbreaking work at Emory."

The CDC is the nation's disease prevention organization, protecting people's health and safety, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and improving health through strong partnerships. The agency includes 11 institutes, centers and offices, with nearly 7,000 employees.

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