Admiral Rachel Levine Visits Pittsburgh for Two Days of Conversations on Public Health and Advocacy
Type: News
Dr. Rachel Levine speaks at Public Health in Turbulent Times on October 28.
At a time of growing uncertainty for public health and health care, Admiral Rachel Levine, M.D., USPHS, (ret.), joined the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) for two days of strategic conversations focused on the leadership, partnerships, and investments needed to build a healthier, more equitable future.
The October 28–29 visit brought together philanthropic leaders, public health officials, frontline healthcare professionals, and emerging health advocates to discuss the future of public health, youth mental health, and the changing landscape of HIV care.
Throughout her visit, Dr. Levine emphasized the importance of resilience, collaboration, and preparation for the work ahead, returning to a guiding mantra: "Every opportunity comes with challenges, and every challenge comes with opportunities."
Public Health in Turbulent Times
Jewish Healthcare Foundation President and CEO Danny Rosen delivers opening remarks.
Dr. Levine delivered a keynote address, Public Health in Turbulent Times, before over 100 attendees, including current Salk Fellows and fellowship alumni, JHF Board members, regional public health officials, and community leaders.
JHF President and CEO Daniel Rosen, PhD, MSW, opened the program by emphasizing the urgency of convening public health partners amid mounting and unprecedented challenges, including rural hospital closures, reductions in food assistance, a measles outbreak, and changes to Medicaid requirements that threaten access to care for vulnerable populations.
"It's time for us to come together," Dr. Rosen said. "There is nothing that any of us can do individually that will have anywhere near the impact if we begin to partner and work together."
Alex Jutca, MPP, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, introduced Dr. Levine, highlighting how changes in federal policy are already affecting communities across Allegheny County. He pointed to Medicaid disenrollment among immigrant populations and additional changes expected in 2027, noting that Medicaid supports far more than health insurance, including behavioral health services, intellectual disability services, and long-term care.
"These aren't merely abstract policy questions. They're things we're grappling with on the ground every day," Jutca said. "Moments like this call for thoughtful leadership...and they remind us to think critically about the importance of civic engagement and community connections to meet the challenge."
In her keynote, Dr. Levine addressed declining trust in public health institutions, threats to evidence-based care, and the consequences of weakening public health infrastructure. Drawing on her experience as Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health and the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, she stressed the importance of maintaining a focus on health equity even as political and funding priorities shift.
She emphasized that public health must address the systemic barriers that prevent individuals and communities from achieving their full health potential, adding, "I firmly believe that we have not made progress unless we have all made progress."
Empowering the Next Generation of Health Advocates
For the 28 members of JHF's 2026 Salk Health Activist Fellowship, Dr. Levine's visit offered an opportunity to learn from a national public health leader whose career has spanned clinical and academic medicine and public health leadership at the state and federal levels.
Dr. Rachel Levine speaks to the Salk Health Activist Fellows.
During a conversation with the fellows, Dr. Levine reflected on her experiences navigating complex public health challenges, building partnerships, and making difficult policy decisions. Her insights connected the fellows' learning about civic engagement, policy development, and advocacy with the realities of leading change during periods of uncertainty.
"Your work matters deeply. It is more important than ever in healthcare and in public health, and we have seen similar challenges before, and we have persevered, and we will again," Dr. Levine said.
The exchange helped bring the fellowship full circle, encouraging participants to consider how they can apply their knowledge and emerging advocacy skills to the challenges facing their communities.
Investing in Youth Mental Health and Supporting the Regional HIV Workforce
Dr. Levine's visit also included a roundtable with regional philanthropic leaders focused on strengthening youth mental health through prevention, early intervention, and community investment.
The conversation considered the needs of youth who may face heightened mental health risks, including LGBTQIA+ youth, immigrant and refugee populations, and girls and young women, as well as opportunities for philanthropy to advance prevention-focused policies and investments over the next five years.
Drawing on Levine's experience in medicine, public health, and government leadership, participants also considered how collaboration among funders, government agencies, schools, and community organizations could help build more sustainable systems of support for young people.
Dr. Rachel Levine, Christopher Garnett, and Kell Wilkinson discuss challenges facing the regional HIV workforce.
Dr. Levine also joined members of the Ryan White Part B Program and AIDS Free Pittsburgh to discuss the challenges facing the regional HIV workforce as funding reductions, changing eligibility requirements, and barriers to healthcare access create new uncertainties for providers and the people they serve.
The discussion, facilitated by Christopher Garnett, MSW, program manager of JHF's Ryan White Part B Program, and Kell Wilkinson, MPA, MSW, project manager of AIDS Free Pittsburgh, examined how changes to HIV care and support services in Pennsylvania, alongside anticipated Medicaid policy shifts, could affect continuity of care, access to medications, and the professionals helping clients navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system.
JHF President and CEO Daniel Rosen expressed gratitude for Dr. Levine's visit and the opportunity to bring together leaders, advocates, and healthcare professionals around shared public health challenges.
"We are deeply grateful to Admiral Levine for sharing her experience, insights, and encouragement with our community," Dr. Rosen said. "Her visit was an important reminder that even in challenging times, we have the ability and responsibility to come together, strengthen our partnerships, and take meaningful action to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve."
Admiral Rachel Levine speaks with philanthropic leaders during a roundtable discussion about teen mental health hosted by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.
Alex Jutca introduces Dr. Rachel Levine during JHF's Public Health in Turbulent Times event.
Admiral Rachel Levine delivers remarks at JHF's Public Health in Turbulent Times event.
Salk Health Activist Fellow Rozellah Ajwang asks a question during JHF's Public Health in Turbulent Times event.
Attendees listen as Admiral Rachel Levine speaks about public health.
Dr. Rachel Levine speaks during a regional HIV event on October 29.
Dr. Rachel Levine poses with the 2026 Salk Health Activist Fellows.
Dr. Rachel Levine answers questions during JHF's Public Health in Turbulent Times event.