President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris have nominated Dr. Rachel Levine, a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans, as assistant Secretary for health at HHS, the transition announced.

Levine currently serves as secretary of health for Pennsylvania, and if confirmed, would become the first openly transgender federal official.

"Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic — no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability — and meet the public health needs of our country in this critical moment and beyond.

She is a historic and deeply qualified choice to help lead our administration's health efforts," Biden said of Levine in a statement.