New York City ? The New York Times is reporting that President Barack Obama has selected Dr. Thomas Frieden to lead the country’s top public health agency.

Frieden is expected to be named today as director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 48-year-old Frieden has served as New York City’s health commissioner for the past seven years.

As commissioner, he spearheaded a campaign to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, boosted the number of New Yorkers getting HIV tests and helped to distribute millions of free condoms.

Frieden is expected to take office next month. His appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

He will succeed Dr. Julie Gerberding, who resigned in January. Dr. Richard Besser has served as acting head of the CDC in recent months.