Gov. Wolf nominates Meadville OB-GYN to serve as Pa. physician general

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday nominated a Meadville doctor to serve as the state’s physician general — a potential permanent replacement for Dr. Rachel Levine, who previously served in both that role and as the state’s secretary of health.

Dr. Denise Johnson, most recently chief medical officer at Meadville Medical Center, will serve as acting physician general until she is confirmed by the state Senate.

Dr. Wendy Braund, who is Pennsylvania’s covid-19 response director, had held the role in the interim since Levine was tapped by the Biden administration to join the Department of Health and Human Services.

“We thank Dr. Braund for her acting role of the past weeks,” Wolf said in a statement. “Her professionalism and expertise are appreciated.” Before joining the state, Braund was at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health as a professor and administrator.

Before joining the Meadville Medical Center, Johnson spent 13 years in private practice. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She previously chaired the board of directors at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, and she sits on the Governor’s Commission for Women.

“I am truly honored to be offered this opportunity to further contribute to the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians,” Johnson said in a statement. “I plan to work tirelessly for all and to devote every effort to this goal.”

She is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

In addition to Johnson, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam is awaiting a state Senate confirmation hearing. She was nominated for the position in January after Levine was nominated by President Biden to serve as assistant secretary of health.

Levine’s confirmation hearing in late February became contentious when Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, questioned Levine about her views on hormone treatment for transgender teenagers and likened gender reassignment surgery to genital mutilation.

No date has been set for a vote on Levine’s nomination. She is the first transgender person to be nominated for a Senate-confirmed position in the federal government.