Adding an impressive line to a lengthy public health care resume, Julie Gerberding on Wednesday moved into the office of director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first female director of the nation's No. 1 public health agency, the 46-year-old Gerberding had been the CDC's acting deputy director for science and public health. She came on board in 1998 as its director of the division of health care quality promotion, a role in which she developed the CDC's patient safety initiatives and other programs to prevent infections, antimicrobial resistance and medical errors in health care settings.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson made the announcement at the CDC's Atlanta headquarters.

"Dr. Gerberding knows public health, she knows infectious diseases, and she knows bioterrorism preparedness," Thompson said. "She brings the right mix of professional experience and leadership skills to ensure the CDC continues to meet the nation's public health needs."

Gerberding, who was thrust into the public spotlight during last fall's anthrax crisis, replaces Jeffrey Koplan, who resigned his post March 31. David Fleming had been the CDC's acting director in the interim.

But Gerberding's new position will take her beyond the front lines of the anthrax investigation. Immediate challenges include shoring up the agency for further potential bioterror attacks, assuring public trust in the institution following Congressional criticism and developing a working relationship between the CDC and government law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and CIA. The CDC has never operated in such a role.

At the same time, the agency must continue its lead position in investigating infectious disease outbreaks and preventing illness.

"The events of last fall made clear to all of us that this cannot be a time of business as usual," Gerberding said. "In a time of rapid change and growing responsibilities, CDC will ensure excellence in public health science, excellence in service to our public health partners and a sound organizational system to ensure that we fulfill our mission."

Her public health background lends itself to the appointment. The South Dakota native received her masters in public health from the University of California at Berkeley in 1990, nine years after she received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. In between, she spent her years as an intern, resident, chief resident and fellow at the University of California at San Francisco.

The infectious-disease specialist went on to develop steps to protect health care workers exposed to HIV.