President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Rachel Levine, currently Pennsylvania's top health official, as the next Assistant Health Secretary of the United States, a move that could make her the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate.

 Describing the nomination of Levine for the post as historic, Biden said she would lead his administration's health efforts amidst the pandemic.

The announcement makes Levine, a 64-year-old pediatrician, to be the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the US Senate, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

"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," Biden said in a statement.

Levine, who currently is Pennsylvania's secretary of health, has risen to national prominence for leading the state's public health response to the coronavirus pandemic, despite repeated and ugly attacks on her gender identity, the report said.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Levine said she was proud of the work she has been able to accomplish at the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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