There are two upcoming leadership changes at the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP):

First, Dr. Bradley Stoner, Director of DSTDP, will be stepping down as the Division Director on March 15, 2026, to support his family’s needs.

Dr. Stoner came to CDC in 2024 after serving as the Head of the Department of Public Health Sciences and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Queen’s University, Canada. Prior to that, he was with Washington University in St. Louis where he held numerous faculty and research positions, and served as Chief of STD Services for the St. Louis County Department of Health, and Medical Director of the CDC funded St. Louis STD/HIV Prevention Training Center.

During his tenure at CDC, Dr. Stoner led the Division through several high-profile data
releases, continued to increase awareness about congenital syphilis, reprioritized existing funds to address STD program challenges, and steered the division through ongoing staffing and resource challenges.

During this transition period, Dr. Puja Seth will serve as the Acting Division Director.

Additionally, Dr. Laura Bachmann, Chief Medical Officer for DSTDP, will be departing the Division on March 7, 2026, after accepting a new position with the Jefferson County Department of Heath in Birmingham, Alabama. Since joining DSTDP in 2018, Dr. Bachmann has provided exceptional clinical leadership and scientific stewardship during a pivotal period for STI prevention and control.

Dr. Bachmann brought more than 20 years of experience in STI and HIV care across
academic medicine and public health practice. As Chief Medical Officer, she led the Division’s Clinical Team with vision, rigor, and an unwavering commitment to quality care.Under her leadership, DSTDP developed two landmark clinical resources: CDC’s Recommendations for Providing Quality STD Clinical Services (2020) and the 2021 CDC STI Treatment Guidelines. These foundational documents continue to shape clinical practice nationwide and serve as critical tools for providers working to prevent and treat STIs.

Dr. Lindley Barbee will be serving as Acting Chief Medical Officer during this transition
period.