ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Health and Human Services' acting secretary has appointed Dr. Richard Besser as the interim director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

William Gimson will return to his position as the CDC's chief operating officer. 

He replaces William Gimson, who took over as interim CDC director at noon on January 20. 

Gimson notified CDC employees that HHS acting secretary Charles E. Johnson had announced the appointment. 

Gimson replaced Dr. Julie Gerberding, who was the head of the CDC from 2002 until two days ago. 

Gerberding, along with other senior officials, also resigned on January 20, when Barack Obama and his administration took over. 

Past HHS secretary Michael Leavitt said that the interim directors would take over until the next HHS nominee -- former Sen. Tom Daschle -- is confirmed and makes the permanent appointments. 

Gimson told employees he's returning to his post as the CDC's chief operating officer. The CDC usually has a physician as its director, which Gimson is not. 

According to the biography posted on the CDC Web site, Besser's last position at the CDC was as the director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response, where he was responsible for public health emergency preparedness and emergency response activities. 

According to CDC sources, Besser was seeing patients when he learned of his new position. In addition to heading the CDC bioterrorism preparedness division, he is a practicing pediatrician. 


What position is being replaced?
Who is he replacing?
Why is he being replaced?
What was his position?
Have there been resignations in the agency?
When?
When does the new person start at the agency?
Is there a new permanent person for the job?
who?
What was Besser doing when he found out he had a new job?
What does he do other than provide healthcare for children?
director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
William Gimson
William Gimson
William Gimson will return to his position
William Gimson will return to his position
the CDC's chief operating officer
 the CDC's chief operating officer
yes
Gerberding, along with other senior officials, also resigned on January 20, when Barack Obama and his administration took over. 
January 20
January 20
noon on January 20
noon on January 20
Yes
Sen. Tom Daschle
Sen. Tom Daschle
Sen. Tom Daschle
seeing patients
seeing patients
heads the CDC bioterrorism preparedness division
heading the CDC bioterrorism preparedness division