Call Her Admiral Rachel Levine Now
Secretary of Well being & Human Providers Xavier Becerra Swearing in Dr. Rachel Levine because the Assistant … [+]
HHS PHOTO CHRIS SMITH
One other first for Dr. Rachel Levine, the Biden administration’s assistant secretary for well being: The U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers introduced Tuesday that the nation’s first overtly transgender American to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate is now additionally the primary four-star officer throughout any of the eight uniformed providers of america.
Levine, whose job consists of being head of the U.S. Public Well being Service Commissioned Corps, was ceremonially sworn in as a four-star admiral, making her the very best rating official within the USPHS Commissioned Corps and its first-ever feminine four-star admiral, in accordance with HHS.
“I’m humbled to function the primary feminine four-star officer of the U.S. Public Well being Service Commissioned Corps and first overtly transgender four-star officer throughout any of the 8 uniformed providers,” Levine stated in a press release. “It is a momentous event and I’m happy to take this position for the influence I could make, and for the historic nature of what it symbolizes. Could this appointment be the primary of many prefer it as we create a extra inclusive future.”
Admiral Levine will lead 6,000 Public Well being Service officers who’re devoted to serving the nation’s most underserved and susceptible populations.
“Admiral Levine’s historic appointment as the primary overtly transgender four-star officer is a big step ahead in direction of equality as a nation,” stated her boss, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “It is a proud second for us at HHS. Admiral Levine—a extremely completed pediatrician who helps drive our company’s agenda to spice up well being entry and fairness and to strengthen behavioral well being — is a cherished and important associate in our work to construct a more healthy America.”
“Her appointment represents an necessary step in direction of a extra inclusive future, and her service will undoubtedly advance the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ mission to guard, promote, and advance the well being and security of our nation,” stated U.S. Surgeon Basic, Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy.
It is a creating story.
