UPDATED: 4:50 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- President-elect Joe Biden has chosen Pennsylvania's health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, to help get a handle on the coronavirus pandemic. Levine was picked to serve as the country’s assistant health secretary.
It's a historic choice. Levine would be the first openly transgender person confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
In his announcement, Biden said Levine "will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic" no matter what their background is. And, he said she is a "deeply qualified" choice to help lead the administration's public health efforts.
If confirmed, Levine would help lead the Biden administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic with a $1.9 trillion plan.
So far nearly 400,000 Americans have died from the virus.
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Part of Biden's plan is to ramp up vaccine distribution to deliver 100 million shots in his first 100 days in office. His plan also calls for Americans to wear masks for those 100 days.
She said it’s been an honor to serve as Pennsylvania’s health secretary, not only during the pandemic but also while fighting HIV and hepatitis C, addressing the opioid epidemic, and raising awareness about LGBTQ equity issues.
“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve Pennsylvanians, and all Americans, as part of the Biden Administration if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed to this position,” she added in a statement.
Gov. Tom Wolf said he and everyone in Pennsylvania owe Levine a debt of gratitude for her leadership.
“Dr. Levine is a highly skilled and valued member of my administration and she will be greatly missed,” he said in a statement. “She has been a wise and dedicated partner during this pandemic and throughout her career with the commonwealth. I couldn’t be prouder of the tireless work she’s done to serve Pennsylvanians and protect the public health.”
He expects to announce a replacement later this week.
Meanwhile, state Senate Republicans released a statement from Sen. Judy Ward, chair of the Senate Committee on Aging and Youth. She criticized Levine for how she handled nursing homes at the start of the pandemic and blamed her for the slow rollout of the vaccine.
Levine is a pediatrician and former Pennsylvania physician general. She was appointed to her current position by Wolf, a Democrat, in 2017 and confirmed by a Republican-controlled state Legislature.
She is one of the few transgender people serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide.