Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine has made history for the second time this year, becoming the first openly transgender four-star officer in all eight of the uniformed services, just months after becoming the first transgender person to be confirmed by the U.S.
Senate by a federal office.On Tuesday, Levine was sworn in as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
She is also the first woman four-star admiral in the PHSCC, which aims to preserve and foster the health and safety of the general public.
Levine, who is the nation’s highest-ranking openly trans official, said she is “humbled to serve” in a statement from the U.S.