January 19th, 2021
Media Contact: Denise Spivak, CEO
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Phone: 954-765-6024
Email: denise@lgbtcenters.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President-Elect Joe Biden today announced his nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Levine would be the first openly transgender person appointed to a federal position and approved by the U.S. Senate.
Dr. Levine is currently serving as Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where she has been heading up the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also takes on the role of Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine.
“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,” said President-Elect Biden in today’s statement.
CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak said, “CenterLink applauds the Administration’s nomination or Dr. Levine, whose expertise and experience make her highly qualified for this position. Her nomination is groundbreaking and her ability to speak to the health needs of our diverse country is strong. We encourage the Senate to confirm Dr. Levine.”
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CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org