On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Whitman-Walker welcomed Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health to a special community event entitled “Protecting Our Health in the New Year”, which featured a conversation on Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines. The event took place at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center on the campus of St. Elizabeths East in Ward 8 and was co-hosted by SAGE, advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ elders.
Admiral Levine began with a speech about the importance of Flu, RSV and Covid vaccination, especially given the rise in respiratory viruses in DC and across the nation. She also shared an overview of the “Risk Less. Do More.” national campaign to increase awareness of, confidence in, and uptake of vaccines that reduce severe illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV in at-risk populations, and its accomplishments.
Then, Adm. Levine moderated an Engagement Session: Cultivating Confidence, Motivating Action, which featured healthcare panelists:
- Danny Jaek, PharmD, Pharmacist, Max Robinson Center at Whitman-Walker
- Tasliym Adams, LPN, Sr. Manager of Medical Support Services, Whitman-Walker Health
- Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD, VP of Administration, Black Women’s Agenda
- Aaron Tax, Managing Director of Government Affairs and Policy Advocacy, SAGE
The discussion began with a conversation about how these medical professionals communicate with friends, family, and clients about the importance of vaccines. The intent was to bring the “Risk Less. Do More.” campaign’s purpose to life—getting anecdotes and feedback on how health leaders can work with messengers to achieve major health-related objectives and strengthen public trust of vaccines.
The event concluded with Recognition of Admiral Levine with a Proclamation presentation by Whitman-Walker’s Dr. Heather Aaron, EdD, MPH, CEO, Whitman-Walker Health System; Dr. Anne Bonham, PhD., Chair, Whitman-Walker Health System; Naseema Shafi, CEO, Whitman-Walker Health; and Dr. Kellan Baker, Executive Director, The Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker.
As a pediatrician and dedicated public health official, Admiral Levine has broken barriers and made history as the first openly transgender four-state officer in the nation’s eight uniformed services. We wanted her to know our commitment to our shared values of equity, inclusion, and innovation would continue.
Dr. Aaron acknowledged Admiral Levine and the panelists and reinforced and highlighted the importance of research in building trust and saving lives. She also announced the new name of the Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker and biomedical research laboratory, which reflects the vaccine campaign’s community engagement and equity principles.
Then, Admiral Levine was presented with a framed Proclamation that honored her barrier-breaking leadership at HHS and advancement of policies important to the patients served and research conducted at Whitman-Walker.
You can read the full Proclamation here.
A video recording of the event can be found on our YouTube Channel. Event photos are available on our Flickr page.
