Müller’s nearly five-year tenure is marked by her prominent role during the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to a new leadership under Surján Orsolya.
Müller Cecília, Hungary's Chief Medical Officer, has announced her retirement, a change acknowledged by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán through a social media post.
At 66 years of age, Müller has been recognized for her significant contributions to public health since she assumed office on December 1, 2018.
During her tenure, Müller played a vital role in Hungary's response to the
COVID-19 pandemic as a member of the Operational Group Responsible for Pandemic Response, becoming a familiar figure in frequent press conferences related to the outbreak.
Her visibility rose dramatically during the pandemic, leading to the government assigning bodyguards for her protection by January 2021 due to significant public attention.
In summer 2023, Hungary's National Drug Surveillance Authority was placed under the jurisdiction of the National Public Health Center (NNK), which Müller leads.
Under her leadership, the NNK was rebranded to the National Public Health and Drug Administration (NNGYK) following the departure of several staff members.
Surján Orsolya has been appointed as Müller’s successor, effective June 1. Prior to this appointment, Surján served as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and possesses over 15 years of experience in fields such as epidemiology, public health, regulatory tasks, and health policy.
Surján has worked across various sectors of the healthcare industry since 2001, including roles as a hospital hygienist, infectious disease specialist, and county chief medical officer, demonstrating significant expertise in both public health and health promotion.