Adm. Rachel Levine — whose official portrait at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was recently altered amid a politically charged move by current leadership — is one of the most prominent public health officials in recent US history and the highest-ranking openly transgender federal official.

The change was first reported by NPR.

A digital image obtained by NPR shows that the nameplate beneath her photo was recently modified to reflect her former name. The alteration occurred during the federal shutdown.

Her removal of the legal name “Rachel” from the portrait’s nameplate, replaced with her deadname, has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, placing renewed attention on her career, achievements, and historic role in government.

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