In a surprising turn of events, cancer outreach worker Bri McNulty, along with 750 other employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was abruptly terminated via email in mid-February amid widespread federal workforce dismissals. However, McNulty received an unexpected email rehiring her just days later, along with an unknown number of probationary CDC employees. McNulty, part of the agency’s elite Public Health Associate Program working with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, had already made plans to move on following the initial termination, securing a job offer elsewhere.

Despite the reinstatement offer, McNulty opted not to return to her CDC position, citing a lack of trust in the job’s stability and expressing concerns about the uncertain future of public health agencies. The abrupt nature of the termination and rehiring processes left McNulty and others feeling uncertain and unsettled, likening the experience to a turbulent relationship.

While CDC did not provide clarity on the rehiring decisions, President Trump indicated a shift towards more controlled job cuts in the future, emphasizing precision over mass layoffs. This move comes amidst broader discussions about the impact of federal workforce reductions on essential services like public health and cancer control efforts.

As uncertainties loom over the fate of public health organizations, McNulty urges fellow public health workers to focus on preserving existing resources and weathering the challenges ahead, highlighting the importance of resilience during times of change and upheaval.