Dr. Rachel Levine stands as a prominent figure in U.S. history, not only as a highly accomplished physician but also as the nation’s highest-ranking openly transgender government official. Confirmed by the Senate as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health in March 2021, Dr. Levine has dedicated her career to improving public health, tackling critical issues from eating disorders to the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her journey is one of dedication, expertise, and groundbreaking achievement, solidifying her place as a leading voice in American medicine.
Born on October 28, 1957, to Melvin and Lillian Levine, Rachel Levine’s early life in Wakefield, Massachusetts, laid the foundation for her future success. Raised in a Jewish household alongside her older sister Bonnie, and with parents who were both attorneys, Levine was instilled with values of hard work and intellectual pursuit. Her mother’s pioneering spirit as the only woman in her graduating class at Boston University Law School in 1946 undoubtedly influenced Levine’s own path-breaking career. She attended Belmont Hill, an all-boys prep school, where her diverse interests spanned from playing football and hockey to participating in glee club and drama, showcasing a well-rounded individual from a young age.
Driven by a passion for medicine, Dr. Rachel Levine graduated from Harvard College in 1979 and pursued her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine. It was here that she discovered her calling in pediatrics, particularly adolescent medicine. She was drawn to the challenges and rewards of working with teenagers. During her time at Tulane, she married Martha Peaslee-Levine, a fellow medical student, and together they had a son and daughter before later divorcing in 2013. After graduating in 1983, Dr. Levine began her residency in pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, a testament to her growing expertise and commitment to her field. Her exceptional skills and leadership were quickly recognized as she was appointed chief resident in her final year, followed by a fellowship in adolescent medicine at Mount Sinai completed in 1988. Dr. Levine further honed her expertise through staff positions at Mount Sinai and Lenox Hill, and in private practice in New York City until 1993, specializing in treating adolescents with eating disorders. This early part of her career established her as a highly skilled and compassionate doctor dedicated to the well-being of young people.
In 1993, Dr. Levine expanded her impact by joining the faculty at Penn State College of Medicine and relocating to Central Pennsylvania. She took on the role of Director of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Poly-Clinic Medical Center, demonstrating her ability to lead and manage complex healthcare services. Her career progressed further in 1996 when she moved to the main Penn State campus in Hershey, becoming Director of Pediatric Ambulatory Services and Director of Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Levine’s tenure at Penn State Hershey Medical Center until 2015 was marked by significant contributions, including overseeing the development of the adolescent and young adult eating disorder program, reflecting her continued dedication to this specialized area of medicine and her ability to build and lead impactful programs.
Beyond her clinical and academic achievements, Dr. Levine embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery and advocacy. In her 40s, she began to openly address her gender identity, a process she had privately navigated since childhood. Through therapy and self-exploration, she transitioned in 2011. Demonstrating her leadership extends beyond medicine, Dr. Levine worked with Penn State Hershey Medical Center administration to create the “Levine Policy,” ensuring gender identity and expression were included in the non-discrimination policy. She also became the diversity office’s liaison for LGBTQ affairs, fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment within the medical center and beyond.
Dr. Levine’s commitment to public service grew as she became involved in political advocacy. Joining the board of Equality Pennsylvania and the Stonewall Democrats group, she championed LGBTQ rights. Her expertise and dedication led to her appointment as co-chair for Tom Wolf’s Transition Committee for Health when he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2014. Just before his inauguration in January 2015, Governor Wolf nominated Dr. Levine as Physician General of Pennsylvania. Unanimously confirmed by the state senate, she transitioned from her clinical duties at Penn State to dedicate herself to public health service. Elevated to Pennsylvania Secretary of Health in March 2018, Dr. Levine focused on crucial public health initiatives, including improving maternal health, childhood immunization rates, and, most notably, tackling the opioid crisis. Her impactful measures, such as issuing an order allowing Pennsylvanians to access the anti-overdose drug Naloxone without a prescription and enabling law enforcement to carry it, are credited with saving countless lives and demonstrated her proactive and effective approach to public health challenges.
Dr. Levine’s distinguished career reached a historic milestone when President Joseph R. Biden nominated her as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her confirmation by the Senate in March 2021 marked a watershed moment, making her the first openly transgender official confirmed by the Senate and the highest-ranking openly transgender official in U.S. history. In this pivotal role, Dr. Levine plays a crucial part in coordinating the nation’s response to public health crises, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, and oversees the U.S. Surgeon General. Further cementing her leadership in public health, she was sworn in as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in October 2021, becoming its highest-ranking officer and first-ever female four-star admiral.
Dr. Rachel Levine’s contributions have been widely recognized through fellowships in prestigious organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, and the Academy for Eating Disorders. As a prolific author and public speaker, she continues to advocate and educate on critical healthcare issues, including the opioid crisis, adolescent medicine, eating disorders, and LGBTQ medicine. Dr. Levine’s career embodies the dedication of a physician, the leadership of a public servant, and the impact of a trailblazer, making her a truly remarkable and influential figure in American society and the world of medicine.
