Guillermo Chacon

Latino Commission on AIDS, Hispanic Health Network, New York Immigration Coalition, Hispanic Federation. NYC AIDS Memorial. Romero Vive!

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Gala Cielo reafirma su posición como el principal evento latino contra el VIH en el país https://t.co/sK8DK7jlmx

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Together we'll design a world without AIDS free of stigma and discrimination #cielogala @LatinoCommAIDS

[World Liberty TV @WorldLibertyTV]

See Latino Commission on AIDS annual Cielo Gala NYC-2026 in our WLTV Latin Channels @ https://t.co/oALJEyKi45

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Proud to join amazing Latino leaders with our champion @GovKathyHochul and her dedicated staff to discuss critical issues impact our diverse communities @latinoaids

[Hispanic Federation @HispanicFed]

Last Friday, Hispanic Federation organized a luncheon with @GovKathyHochul where Latino leaders discussed the issues that matter the most to people across New York. Together, our network of Latino nonprofit leaders discussed the ways that our work builds trust across the state and advances policies that safeguard and empower our communities.

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

@faiza_n_ali is a key leader in advancing public policies to bring relief, support, and meaningful initiatives for hardworking working immigrants & New Yorkers. I applaud @NYCMayorsOffice for selecting Faiza to be the new Commissioner of immigrant affairs @thenyic

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Júbilo por elección histórica de Zohran Mamdani como alcalde https://t.co/FujzsWtQLV via @telemundo47

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Júbilo por elección histórica de Zohran Mamdani como alcalde https://t.co/FujzsWtiWn via @telemundo47

[DrDemetre @dr_demetre]

My resignation letter from CDC.

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business.   I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people.  This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.  The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.   The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership.  This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors.  Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC.  The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense.  Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function.  Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

The recent term of reference for the COVID vaccine work group created by this ACIP puts people of dubious intent and more dubious scientific rigor in charge of recommending vaccine policy to a director hamstrung and sidelined by an authoritarian leader.   Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults.  Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again.  I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season.  Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.”  We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary.  I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us.  Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources.  At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him.  To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer.  I believe in nutrition and exercise.  I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability.  Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning.  My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so.  I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud.   I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur.  I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics.  I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution.  If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

Sincerely,

Demetre C. Daskalakis MD MPH (he/his/him)

[Amida Care @AmidaCareNY]

Hundreds gathered at the NYC AIDS Memorial to say NO to the House’s proposed $1T Medicaid cut and ban on gender-affirming care. Just days before NYC Pride, we stood united with our partners to say:

We will not be erased.
🧵⬇️
#ProtectMedicaid #PrideIsResistance

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Honored to join @GovKathyHochul and fellow New Yorkers at the State of the State address. Our Governor will lay out her plans for a safer, healthier, more affordable NYS in 2025 and beyond #OurHealthOurFuture
@LatinoCommAIDS @WeAreUnidosUS
@HispanicFed

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Outstanding accomplishment of DrVincentRamos #LeadershipMatters

[Hopkins Nursing @JHUNursing]

Professor @DrVincentRamos Named Inaugural Leona B. Carpenter Chair in Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health.
#GoHopNurse

https://t.co/sNK5N8wwew

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Thank you @RepEspaillat for your continued support and commitment to end #HIV in our nation, US Territories, and the world #WorldAidsDay2024
#OurHealthOurFuture
#DesigningaWorldwithoutAIDS

[Adriano Espaillat @RepEspaillat]

This #WorldAIDSDay, I'm committed to working to ensure critical investments in combating HIV & AIDS from disastrous budget cuts.

We all have a part to play in beating HIV & AIDS, and I'm proud to stand with the @EqualityCaucus in this fight.

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

I am honored to be recognized by the amazing @Dest2morrow we need to work together to erase #stigma #Transphobia and #Homophobia in our nation. Together we can @HispanicFed @LatinoCommAIDS @LatinoDeepSouth @HIVGov @thenyic

[Destination Tomorrow @Dest2morrow]

🚨Gala Honoree ALERT🚨 We are so excited to share that Guillermo Chacon of the Latin Commission on AIDS, is being honored at The Angie Awards 🎉

🌟 We invite you to an evening filled with meaning and celebration as we honor extraordinary individuals in our community.

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

I will be speaking at Southern Hispanic/Latine Encuentro 2024 in Charlotte, NC, on Oct 24 - 26, 2024. #OurHealthOurFuture I would love to see you there! - via #Whova Event Platform
@LatinoCommAIDS
@LatinoDeepSouth https://t.co/MKgoIOGIjR

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Please consider taking the #Flu and #COVIDー19 #vaccines. Our Health Our Future depends on each of us
@HispanicFed @WeAreUnidosUS @NHMAmd
@nahnnursing
@LatinoDeepSouth
@LatinoCommAIDS

[Dr. Jono Mermin @DrMerminCDC]

Today is National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day! #NLAAD was co-founded more than 20 years ago by the @LatinoCommAIDS & @HispanicFed. CAPT Robyn Neblett Fanfair @CDC_HIV & I provide some remarks to raise awareness about #HIV testing, prevention, & treatment 👉 https://t.co/qckL8q8fHn

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Prevention = good life. Our Health Our Future. Today, we recognize #NLAAD National Latinx HIV Awareness Day visit https://t.co/OWhaTHpu72 or https://t.co/bDxM0sHCjp

[El Diario Nueva York @eldiariony]

Por qué debemos continuar la lucha contra el VIH/SIDA https://t.co/bfWv8TuwCY

[Secretary Xavier Becerra @SecBecerra]

I'm glad to be part of an Administration that's leading a global effort to eradicate HIV.

This #HispanicHeritageMonth we affirm our commitment to making all lives—including our LGBTQI+ Latino men, who are often stigmatized even as they're disproportionately affected—a priority.

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

#Adelante Summit was a solid step to address the impact of #HIV among Hispanic in our nation & Puerto Rico. End HIV Epidemic without stigma & discrimination @LatinoCommAIDS @WeAreUnidosUS @HispanicFed @LatinoDeepSouth

[HIV.gov @HIVGov]

Today, we are at the ¡Adelante! Summit to support efforts to accelerate the #HIV response in Latino/Hispanic communities. Follow for updates. #AdelanteHIVSummit #HispanicHeritageMonth

[LatinoCommissionAIDS @LatinoCommAIDS]

Please read "Study: HIV cases still rising in Latinx communities"
https://t.co/slJLKc4KG6
Thank you to the Dallas Voice and Kamila Vargas-Gonzalez for covering this key issue.
#HIV #AIDS #Hispanic #Hispanics #Latino #Latina #Latinx #NewHIVDiagnoses #HIVPrevention #HIVTesting

[Guillermo Chacon @gchacon11]

Super proud of Rosy Mota and grateful with @danielsgoldman Together, we will end #HIV and #stigma

[Rep. Dan Goldman @RepDanGoldman]

Rosy Mota is a trailblazing Sunset Park advocate on the forefront of combating the AIDS epidemic in the Latino community.

From health to community organizing, Rosy has never stopped fighting for her neighborhood.

It’s an honor to recognize her during Pride Month.