In a controversial move during the recent federal shutdown, the leadership at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) altered the official portrait of Admiral Rachel Levine. The nameplate beneath her photograph was changed to remove her legal name, 'Rachel,' and replace it with a name she used prior to her transition.
A Politically Charged Alteration
The change, first reported by National Public Radio (NPR), targets one of the most prominent figures in recent US public health history. Admiral Rachel Levine served as the Assistant Secretary for Health from 2021 to 2025 under the Biden administration. She is a historic figure, being the first openly transgender person to hold a Senate-confirmed federal office and the first openly transgender four-star officer in any of the nation's eight uniformed services.
Her portrait hangs in a hallway on the seventh floor of the HHS Humphrey Building, among photographs of past leaders of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. A digital image obtained by NPR confirmed the modification of the nameplate.
Condemnation and Defense
The action has sparked immediate and fierce criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and former officials. Adrian Shanker, who served as deputy assistant secretary for health policy under President Biden and now acts as Levine's spokesperson, strongly condemned the move. He stated to NPR that the change was made by the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and labeled it "an act of bigotry against her."
When contacted by NPR, Admiral Levine herself declined to comment directly on the alteration, calling it a "petty action." She emphasized that it was an honor to serve the American people in her former role.
In defense of the decision, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon issued a statement framing it as part of the department's commitment to "biological reality" and "gold standard science." He stated the department's priority was to reverse policies enacted by Levine that they deem harmful.
The Legacy of a Public Health Pioneer
Beyond the current controversy, Rachel Levine's career is marked by significant achievements. Born on October 28, 1957, she is a pediatrician and public health expert. Before her federal appointment, she held critical positions in Pennsylvania, including Physician General (2015-2017) and Secretary of Health (2017-2021). In these roles, she led the state's COVID-19 pandemic response and shaped policies on opioids, HIV/AIDS, and immunisation.
Her medical career includes founding the Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Eating Disorders Program at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Upon her federal confirmation by a 52-48 Senate vote in 2021, she focused on:
- Addressing health inequities in the LGBTQ+ community
- Expanding vaccine access in underserved areas
- Strengthening anti-discrimination protections in healthcare
- Supporting mental health and youth wellbeing
A transgender woman who transitioned in 2011, Levine has been a vocal advocate against discrimination targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth. The alteration of her portrait has placed a renewed spotlight on her historic role and the ongoing political debates surrounding gender identity and inclusion in government.
