Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) – courtesy of US Department of Health and Human Services
Rachel Levine, MD’s journey to becoming the highest-ranking openly transgender government official in U.S. history is a testament to her dedication to medicine and public health and her advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
Born in 1957 in Massachusetts, Levine showed early promise, attending Harvard College before pursuing a career in medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine. After completing her residency and fellowship, she specialized in adolescent medicine and worked extensively in treating eating disorders.
In 1993, Levine joined the faculty at Penn State College of Medicine, where she played a significant role in developing programs for adolescent health and eating disorder treatment.
Dr. Rachel Levine – courtesy of Biden-Harris Transition Team
Alongside her medical career, Levine grappled with her gender identity, exploring gender expression through therapy and physical changes. She eventually transitioned in 2011 and became a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights within her workplace.
Her advocacy extended beyond the medical field as she joined the board of Equality Pennsylvania and became involved in political advocacy, serving on the Transition Committee for Health when Tom Wolf was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 2014. Shortly after, Levine was appointed Physician General of Pennsylvania, focusing on healthcare access, maternal health, childhood immunization rates, and combating the opioid crisis.
In March 2018, Levine was named Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, furthering her efforts in public health policy. Her accomplishments in Pennsylvania caught the attention of President Joseph R. Biden, who nominated her as Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2021.
Dr. Rachel Levine – courtesy of Fox News
Following her confirmation by the Senate, Levine made history as the first openly transgender official confirmed by the Senate and the highest-ranking openly transgender official in U.S. history. As Assistant Secretary for Health, Levine oversees public health initiatives, including the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and serves as the first four-star female admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Levine’s contributions to medicine, public health, and LGBTQ advocacy have earned her recognition as a Fellow of several prestigious medical organizations and a respected voice on issues ranging from the opioid crisis to LGBTQ medicine. Her groundbreaking achievements serve as an inspiration for future generations of healthcare professionals and advocates for equality.
Sources:
https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/rachel-levine.html
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/rachel-levine