Dr. Rachel Levine sworn in as US' first overtly transgender four-star officer

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Levine was sworn in Tuesday because the US Public Well being Service Commissioned Corps’ highest rating official.

“It is a momentous event, and I’m honored to take this function for the impression that I could make and for the historic nature of what it symbolizes,” Levine mentioned in remarks after taking the oath of workplace Tuesday. “I stand on the shoulders of these LGBTQ+ people who got here earlier than me — each these identified and unknown.”

“Could this appointment immediately be the primary of many extra to return as we create a various and extra inclusive future,” she added.

Levine can be the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ first feminine four-star admiral.

“We’re extraordinarily proud to have Dr. Levine be part of the 6,000 officers of the US Public Well being Service Commissioned Corps who serve on the entrance traces of our nation’s combat towards illness and poor well being circumstances,” US Surgeon Normal Dr. Vivek Murthy mentioned in the course of the ceremony.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra referred to as Levine’s appointment “a large step ahead in the direction of equality as a nation.”

“It is a proud second for us at HHS,” he mentioned in a statement.

Earlier this yr, Levine turned the primary out transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate.

Levine, a pediatrician and former Pennsylvania well being secretary, is the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ sixth four-star admiral.

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