Rachel Levine

Rachel L. Levine

Rachel Leland Levine (born October 28, 1957) is an American pediatrician and professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. She has served as the United States Assistant Secretary for Health since March 26, 2021. Prior to her federal appointment, Levine was a prominent figure in the Pennsylvania health system, serving as the state's physician general from 2015 to 2017 and later as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2017 to 2021.

Early Life and Education

Levine was born in Wakefield, Massachusetts and earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard University. She then received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine.

Career

Levine's expertise lies in pediatrics and psychiatry, and she has contributed significantly to these fields as a professor at the Penn State College of Medicine. She has also held several key positions within the Pennsylvania state health system, advocating for the most vulnerable and addressing public health issues.

As the Pennsylvania physician general, and later as the state's secretary of health, Levine tackled a range of public health crises, including the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Levine was appointed as the United States Assistant Secretary for Health, a role in which she has continued to address public health issues on a national scale.

Personal Life

Levine is one of only a few openly transgender government officials in the United States, and is the first to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation. Her appointment and service have made her a historic figure in the LGBTQ+ community.

See also

• Penn State College of Medicine
• United States Department of Health and Human Services
• LGBTQ+ representation in government

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