Levine is currently the health secretary of Pennsylvania and a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Penn State College of Medicine. She served as State Medical Officer in 2015 and Assistant Health Secretary in 2017. Levine was confirmed as the state’s health secretary in 2018 under the government of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
During her career, Levine has written about the opioid crisis, LGBTQ medications, medicinal marijuana, eating disorders and medications for adolescents. She graduated from Harvard College and Tulane University School of Medicine and completed her education in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
“Dr. Rachel Levine will provide the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic – regardless of their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability – and in the public health needs of our country in this critical moment and beyond, “Biden said in a statement.” She is a historic and deeply qualified choice to help guide our government’s health efforts. “
Elected Vice President Kamala Harris praised Levine as “a remarkable civil servant with the knowledge and experience” to curb the coronavirus pandemic and “to protect and enhance the health and well-being of the American people.”