F&M Stories

In 2015, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that Dr. Rachel Levine would become the Physician General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In making the appointment, and later her promotion to Secretary of Health, Gov. Wolf emphasized Dr. Levine's extensive background in the areas of medical, public and behavioral health as an asset to all the people of Pennsylvania. She is also one of the few high-ranking political officials in the country who is transgender, and her leadership has been applauded throughout the Commonwealth. 

Dr. Levine advanced to these roles from her previous position as chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs for the Department of Pediatrics at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where her accomplishments include the initiation of a division of adolescent medicine for the care of complex teens with medical and psychological problems and creation of the Penn State Hershey Eating Disorders Program for children, adolescents and adults with such eating disorders as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. She continues to hold a professorship in pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine, teaching on topics in adolescent medicine, eating disorders and transgender medicine.

A graduate of Harvard University and Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Levine completed training in pediatrics at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City, which she followed with a fellowship in adolescent medicine. She is a former faculty member of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.

Among her first actions as Physician General was to take significant steps toward addressing the opioid epidemic, which she calls the most urgent health crisis facing the state. Dr. Levine spearheaded efforts to establish opioid prescription guidelines and prescription education for medical students. Moreover, she approved the order that now allows law enforcement officials in the state to carry Naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.

In her capacity as Secretary of Health, Dr. Levine also helps shape policy on issues from childhood lead testing to immunizations, the Zika virus, HIV and AIDS. Her responsibilities further include overseeing the bureaus of epidemiology and laboratory sciences.

A relentless advocate for public health, particularly on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer populations, Dr. Levine continues to work to improve access to health care throughout the Commonwealth. This includes leading LGBTQ workgroups for the governor's office that have created fair and inclusive programs and processes in health care, insurance and many other areas. In January 2017, Dr. Levine spoke at F&M's weekly Common Hour about transgender medicine, gender identity and sexual orientation, and she was recently recognized by NBC as one of the television network's Pride 30, a national list of 30 people who are both members of and making a difference in the lives of the LGBTQ community.

She speaks regularly at hospitals and medical schools about how the medical profession can better serve vulnerable communities, lectures nationally and internationally on adolescent medicine, eating disorders and transgender medicine, and has published many articles and book chapters on these important topics.

Rachel Levine, for your distinguished government service, for your tireless efforts at informing the public about health and well-being, and for your education and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community, Franklin & Marshall College bestows upon you the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science.

Dr. Rachel L. Levine, Physician General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania