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New CDC director grew up on Wisconsin dairy farm, has two degrees from UW-Madison

Susan Monarez, who was confirmed to the role by the U.S. Senate on July 30, grew up on a dairy farm in rural Wisconsin and holds bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in microbiology and immunology from UW-Madison. She has drawn some attention as the first person to take on the job without a medical degree in more than 70 years, but she has spent her career in the health field.