On Friday, NIH Director and CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, sent an introductory email to CDC staff, which was shared with MedPage Today. [MEDPAGE TODAY]

In his message, Bhattacharya acknowledged the "abrupt changes in leadership" at the agency, and the shooting at its Roybal Campus in Atlanta last summer.

Nonetheless, he still blamed federal decision-making for a loss of trust in the agency and outlined a brief plan for restoring that trust.

Here's the full text of that message:

Dear Colleagues,

It is an honor to write to you as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I step into this role with deep respect for the expertise, dedication, and public service that define this institution -- and with clear recognition of the challenges we have faced together over the past several years. I also recognize the unique challenges faced by each of you over the past year due to abrupt changes in leadership, the tragic act of violence last summer, and overall uncertainty felt by all of you. One of my goals is to ensure that you all get the recognition you deserve for your efforts.

The pandemic also tested this agency in unprecedented ways. Many of you worked tirelessly under extraordinary pressure, often at personal cost. Public trust is the foundation of public health. Without it, even our best science cannot achieve its full impact. It is undeniable that some of the Federal government's decisions, communications, and processes contributed to confusion, frustration, and a loss of that trust. Acknowledging this reality is a necessary step toward renewal. It is not a repudiation of your hard work; your work over recent years has been heroic, courageous, and essential.

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