Joe Biden is making headlines for many reasons and this one is for appointing Dr.Rachel Levine as Assistant Health Secretary who becomes the first transgender federal official to be confirmed by the US Senate. Dr.Levine who was a paediatrician, is currently the Pennsylvania Health Secretary and was former Pennsylvania physician general.
What also makes Dr.Levine stand out is being one of the few transgender people serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide. Amidst the corornavirus pandemic, Dr.Levine has emerged as the public face of the state’s response to the global crises.
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Biden in a statement proudly mentioned his choice. “Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic — no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability — and meet the public health needs of our country in this critical moment and beyond.”
“She is a historic and deeply qualified choice to help lead our administration’s health efforts.” Added Biden in his statement.
Dr.Levine is a graduate of Harvard and of Tulane Medical School and is president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Her achievements also include writing in the past on the opioid crisis, medical marijuana, adolescent medicine, eating disorders and LGBTQ medicine.