Leana Wen: Difference between revisions

The neutral encyclopedia of notable people
Content engine: create biography for Leana Wen (2620 words)
 
Content engine: create biography for Leana Wen (2551 words) [update]
 
Line 2: Line 2:
| name = Leana Wen
| name = Leana Wen
| birth_name = Wen Linyan
| birth_name = Wen Linyan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|01|27}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|01|27}}
| birth_place = [[Shanghai]], China
| birth_place = [[Shanghai]], China
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Physician, author, professor, columnist, television commentator
| occupation = Physician, professor, author, columnist, television commentator
| education = [[California State University, Los Angeles]] (BS)<br />[[Washington University in St. Louis]] (MD)<br />[[Merton College, Oxford]] (MSc, MSc)
| education = [[California State University, Los Angeles]] (BS)<br />[[Washington University in St. Louis]] (MD)<br />[[Merton College, Oxford]] (MSc, MSc)
| known_for = Baltimore City Health Commissioner, President of [[Planned Parenthood]], COVID-19 public health commentary
| known_for = Baltimore Health Commissioner, President of [[Planned Parenthood]], COVID-19 public health commentary
| employer = [[George Washington University]], [[The Washington Post]], [[Brookings Institution]]
| employer = [[George Washington University]], [[The Washington Post]], [[Brookings Institution]]
| children = 2
| children = 2
| awards = ''Modern Healthcare'' 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives (2017)
| website = {{URL|drleanawen.com}}
| website = {{URL|drleanawen.com}}
}}
}}


'''Leana Sheryle Wen''' ({{zh|s=温麟衍|t=溫麟衍|p=Wēn Línyǎn}}; born '''Wen Linyan'''; January 27, 1983) is an American [[emergency medicine|emergency physician]], public health professor, author, columnist, and television commentator. Born in [[Shanghai]], China, she immigrated to the United States as a child and rose through academic and medical ranks at a rapid pace, becoming one of the youngest health commissioners in the history of a major American city when she was appointed to lead the [[Baltimore City Health Department]] in December 2014 at the age of 31.<ref name="balt-sun">{{cite news |date=2014-12-04 |title=Wen named Baltimore health commissioner |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-health-commissioner-20141204-story.html |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She later served as president of [[Planned Parenthood]] from November 2018 to July 2019. During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Wen became a prominent public health communicator, serving as a medical analyst for [[CNN]] and testifying four times before the [[United States Congress]]. She currently serves as a public health professor at [[George Washington University]], a nonresident senior fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]], and a twice-weekly columnist for ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref name="bpc">{{cite web |title=Dr. Leana Wen |url=https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/ |publisher=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=2025-11-04 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Leana Sheryle Wen''' ({{zh|s=温麟衍|t=溫麟衍|p=Wēn Línyǎn}}; born '''Wen Linyan'''; January 27, 1983) is an American [[emergency medicine]] physician, public health professor, author, columnist, and television medical analyst. Born in [[Shanghai]], China, Wen immigrated to the United States as a child and rose through academic and public service ranks to become one of the most visible public health voices in the country. She served as the Health Commissioner of [[Baltimore|Baltimore City]] from 2014 to 2018, a period during which she confronted the city's [[opioid epidemic]] and worked to expand access to the overdose-reversal drug [[naloxone]]. In November 2018, she was appointed president of [[Planned Parenthood]], a position she held until July 2019. During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Wen became a prominent public health communicator, serving as a medical analyst for [[CNN]] and testifying four times before the [[United States Congress]], including twice before the [[Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Leana Wen |url=https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/ |publisher=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=November 4, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She is a professor of public health at [[George Washington University]], a nonresident senior fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]], and a twice-weekly columnist for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', where she writes on medicine and public health.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2026 |title=Opinion {{!}} Drink coffee to prevent dementia? It's not so far-fetched. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/17/coffee-dementia-brain-health-study/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Leana Wen was born on January 27, 1983, in [[Shanghai]], China.<ref name="balt-sun" /> Her family immigrated to the United States when she was a young child. She grew up in the [[Los Angeles]] area, where she demonstrated exceptional academic ability from an early age.
Leana Wen was born on January 27, 1983, in [[Shanghai]], China.<ref name="calstatela">{{cite web |title=Cal State L.A. alumna named Baltimore health commissioner |url=http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/leanawen.htm |publisher=California State University, Los Angeles |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She immigrated to the United States as a young child with her family. Details of her early childhood in China and the circumstances of her family's emigration have been discussed in her public speeches and writings, in which she has spoken about the experience of being an immigrant and the challenges her family faced upon arriving in the United States.


Wen enrolled at [[California State University, Los Angeles]], where she completed her [[Bachelor of Science]] degree at the age of 18, becoming one of the youngest graduates in the university's history.<ref name="calstate">{{cite web |title=Leana Wen |url=http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/leanawen.htm |publisher=California State University, Los Angeles |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her early academic acceleration set the stage for a career that would be marked by precocious achievement across multiple fields, including medicine, public health policy, and public advocacy.
Wen grew up in the [[Los Angeles]] area, where she attended public schools. Her early experiences navigating the American healthcare system as a child of immigrant parents would later inform her career in medicine and public health, including her advocacy for patient-centered care and transparent communication between doctors and patients.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |title=Bio |url=http://www.drleanawen.com/styled/styled-15/bio.html |publisher=DrLeanaWen.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


After completing her undergraduate studies at [[California State University, Los Angeles]], Wen pursued medical education at [[Washington University in St. Louis]], where she earned her [[Doctor of Medicine]] degree.<ref name="calstate" /> She then attended [[Merton College, Oxford|Merton College]] at the [[University of Oxford]] as a [[Rhodes Scholar]] candidate, where she earned two [[Master of Science]] degrees.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |title=Bio |url=http://www.drleanawen.com/styled/styled-15/bio.html |publisher=DrLeanaWen.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Wen pursued her undergraduate education at [[California State University, Los Angeles]], where she earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree.<ref name="calstatela" /> She subsequently attended [[Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine]], where she earned her [[Doctor of Medicine]] (MD) degree.<ref name="bio" />


Wen completed her residency training in emergency medicine, which would form the clinical foundation for her subsequent career in public health administration and health policy advocacy. Her educational background, combining clinical medicine with graduate studies at Oxford, equipped her with both the medical expertise and policy perspective that would characterize her later work.<ref name="bio" />
Wen was awarded a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] to study at the [[University of Oxford]], where she was a member of [[Merton College, Oxford|Merton College]]. At Oxford, she earned two [[Master of Science]] degrees.<ref name="bio" /> Her time at Oxford further shaped her interest in the intersection of clinical medicine and public health policy.
 
Wen completed her residency training in emergency medicine, which equipped her with frontline clinical experience that she would later draw upon in her public health and policy work.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=January 15, 2015 |title=Why I'm Leaving The ER To Run Baltimore's Health Department |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/15/377286159/why-i-m-leaving-the-er-to-run-baltimores-health-department |work=NPR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Line 32: Line 33:
=== Early Medical Career and Advocacy ===
=== Early Medical Career and Advocacy ===


Before entering public health administration, Wen practiced as an emergency medicine physician. During this period, she became an advocate for transparency in the doctor-patient relationship and patient engagement in healthcare. She served on the [[Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute]] (PCORI) Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement, contributing to national conversations about how patients interact with the healthcare system.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement |url=http://www.pcori.org/get-involved/pcori-advisory-panels/advisory-panel-on-patient-engagement/ |publisher=Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Before entering public service, Wen practiced as an emergency physician and became an advocate for transparency in the doctor-patient relationship. She argued that physicians should be more forthcoming about their credentials, potential conflicts of interest, and the reasoning behind their clinical decisions. This advocacy culminated in a body of writing and public speaking on the topic, including contributions to ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' and ''[[Psychology Today]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen, MD |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leana-wen-md |publisher=HuffPost |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen, MD |url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/leana-wen-md |publisher=Psychology Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Wen also served on the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME), a federal advisory body that provides recommendations on physician workforce issues to the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] and Congress.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twentieth Report: Advancing Primary Care |url=http://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/bhpradvisory/cogme/reports/twentiethreport.pdf |publisher=Health Resources and Services Administration |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
In January 2013, Wen co-authored a book and became a public voice on the topic of doctor-patient communication, arguing that physicians should be more forthcoming with patients and that patients need to take a more active role in their own healthcare.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Doctors Don't Listen |url=http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/01/when-doctors-dont-listen |publisher=WBUR CommonHealth |date=2013-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She also contributed to publications including ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' and ''[[Psychology Today]]'' on topics related to medicine and patient empowerment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen, M.D. |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leana-wen-md |publisher=HuffPost |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen, M.D. |url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/leana-wen-md |publisher=Psychology Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Her public speaking career also expanded during this period, as she delivered talks at venues and institutions across the United States on topics related to healthcare, patient rights, and public health policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen |url=http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/leana-wen |publisher=Wharton Center |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Testimonials |url=http://www.drleanawen.com/styled-6/styled-24/testimonials.html |publisher=DrLeanaWen.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In January 2013, Wen co-authored a book exploring the theme of patient empowerment and the importance of doctors listening to their patients, which received coverage from [[WBUR]]'s CommonHealth program.<ref>{{cite web |title=When Doctors Don't Listen |url=http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/01/when-doctors-dont-listen |publisher=WBUR CommonHealth |date=January 2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The book argued that the modern healthcare system often failed patients through excessive reliance on tests and insufficient attention to patient narratives and histories.


=== Baltimore City Health Commissioner (2014–2018) ===
Wen also served on advisory panels related to patient engagement and healthcare workforce development. She was a member of an advisory panel of the [[Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute]] (PCORI), which focused on patient engagement in clinical research.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement |url=http://www.pcori.org/get-involved/pcori-advisory-panels/advisory-panel-on-patient-engagement/ |publisher=PCORI |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Additionally, she contributed to the twentieth report of the [[Council on Graduate Medical Education]] (COGME), an advisory body to the [[Health Resources and Services Administration]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Twentieth Report: Advancing Primary Care |url=http://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/bhpradvisory/cogme/reports/twentiethreport.pdf |publisher=Health Resources and Services Administration |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


On December 5, 2014, Wen was appointed as the Commissioner of the [[Baltimore City Health Department]], succeeding [[Oxiris Barbot]].<ref name="balt-sun" /> At 31 years old, she was among the youngest health commissioners of a major American city at the time of her appointment. In an interview with [[NPR]], Wen discussed her decision to leave clinical emergency medicine to lead Baltimore's health department, framing public health leadership as an opportunity to address the root causes of the health emergencies she had encountered in the emergency room.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-01-15 |title=Why I'm Leaving The ER To Run Baltimore's Health Department |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/15/377286159/why-i-m-leaving-the-er-to-run-baltimores-health-department |work=NPR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Baltimore City Health Commissioner ===


During her tenure as health commissioner, Wen made the [[opioid epidemic]] one of her central priorities. Baltimore, like many American cities, was experiencing a severe crisis of opioid addiction and overdose deaths. Wen implemented a standing order that allowed all Baltimore residents to obtain [[naloxone]] (marketed as Narcan), the opioid overdose reversal drug, without an individual prescription. Her goal was to make the antidote as widely available as possible, and she publicly advocated for naloxone to be placed in every home medicine cabinet alongside other first-aid supplies.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-03-04 |title=Doctor wants overdose antidote in every medicine cabinet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2016/03/04/doctor-wants-overdose-antidote-every-medicine-cabinet/81291850/ |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
On December 5, 2014, Wen was appointed Health Commissioner of the [[Baltimore City Health Department]], succeeding [[Oxiris Barbot]].<ref name="balt_sun">{{cite news |date=December 4, 2014 |title=Health commissioner named |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-health-commissioner-20141204-story.html |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> At the time of her appointment, she was one of the youngest big-city health commissioners in the United States. In an interview with NPR upon leaving her emergency medicine practice, Wen described her motivation for transitioning to public health leadership, explaining that she wanted to address the root causes of the health problems she encountered in the emergency room.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 15, 2015 |title=Why I'm Leaving The ER To Run Baltimore's Health Department |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/15/377286159/why-i-m-leaving-the-er-to-run-baltimores-health-department |work=NPR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Wen also pushed for federal regulatory action on opioid prescribing. In February 2016, she was among public health officials who urged the [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] to add [[boxed warning|black box warnings]] about the dangers of using opioids and [[benzodiazepines]] together, a combination associated with a significantly elevated risk of overdose death.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-02-22 |title=Health officials push FDA to add black box warnings about using opioids, benzodiazepines together |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/02/22/health-officials-push-fda-to-add-black-box-warnings-about-using-opioids-benzodiazepines-together/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She testified before the [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions|Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee]] on the opioid epidemic, presenting her experiences and initiatives from Baltimore as a model for addressing the crisis at the national level.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opioid Abuse in America: Facing the Epidemic and Examining Solutions |url=https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/opioid-abuse-in-america-facing-the-epidemic-and-examining-solutions |publisher=U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
One of Wen's signature initiatives as Health Commissioner was her response to Baltimore's [[opioid epidemic]]. She declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency and implemented a blanket prescription allowing all Baltimore residents to obtain [[naloxone]], the opioid overdose-reversal medication, without an individual prescription. This approach attracted national attention and was seen as a model for other jurisdictions grappling with rising opioid overdose deaths.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 4, 2016 |title=This doctor wants an overdose antidote in every medicine cabinet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2016/03/04/doctor-wants-overdose-antidote-every-medicine-cabinet/81291850/ |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Under Wen's leadership, the Baltimore City Health Department expanded its scope of public health initiatives, addressing issues including lead poisoning prevention, behavioral health, and maternal and child health. Her tenure coincided with significant social upheaval in Baltimore, including the civil unrest following the death of [[Freddie Gray]] in 2015, during which the health department played a role in community response and crisis management.
Wen also advocated at the federal level for stronger regulatory action on opioids. She joined other public health officials in pushing the [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] to add [[black box warning]]s about the dangers of combining [[opioid]]s with [[benzodiazepine]]s, a combination associated with a heightened risk of fatal overdose.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 22, 2016 |title=Health officials push FDA to add black-box warnings about using opioids, benzodiazepines together |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/02/22/health-officials-push-fda-to-add-black-box-warnings-about-using-opioids-benzodiazepines-together/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She testified before the [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions|Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee]] on the subject of opioid abuse in America.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opioid Abuse in America: Facing the Epidemic and Examining Solutions |url=https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/opioid-abuse-in-america-facing-the-epidemic-and-examining-solutions |publisher=U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Wen served as health commissioner until October 12, 2018, when she departed to assume leadership of Planned Parenthood. She was succeeded on an interim basis by Mary Beth Haller.
During her tenure, Wen also oversaw public health responses to other crises affecting Baltimore, including the aftermath of the civil unrest following the death of [[Freddie Gray]] in 2015 and the broader challenges of urban public health including lead poisoning, infant mortality, and chronic disease prevention. She served as Baltimore's Health Commissioner until October 12, 2018, when she departed to assume the presidency of [[Planned Parenthood]].<ref name="balt_sun" />


=== President of Planned Parenthood (2018–2019) ===
=== Planned Parenthood Presidency ===


On November 12, 2018, Wen became the president of [[Planned Parenthood]], succeeding [[Cecile Richards]], who had led the organization for over a decade. Wen was the first physician to lead Planned Parenthood in approximately fifty years, and her appointment was seen as a shift toward emphasizing the organization's healthcare mission.<ref name="bpc" />
On November 12, 2018, Wen became president of [[Planned Parenthood Federation of America]] and the [[Planned Parenthood Action Fund]], succeeding [[Cecile Richards]], who had led the organization for twelve years. Wen was the first physician to lead Planned Parenthood in approximately fifty years.<ref name="bio" />


Wen's tenure at Planned Parenthood was brief and ended amid reports of disagreements with the organization's board of directors over strategic direction. She departed the position on July 16, 2019, after approximately eight months. Wen was succeeded by [[Alexis McGill Johnson]], who initially served in an acting capacity. The circumstances of Wen's departure generated considerable media attention, with differing accounts emerging regarding the reasons for the leadership change. Wen stated that she had been dismissed over philosophical differences about the organization's direction, while the board cited other concerns.
Wen's tenure at Planned Parenthood was brief and ended amid reported disagreements between Wen and the organization's board over the strategic direction of the organization. On July 16, 2019, after approximately eight months in the role, Wen's presidency concluded. She was succeeded by [[Alexis McGill Johnson]], who initially served in an acting capacity. The circumstances of her departure generated significant media coverage and public discussion about the balance between healthcare service delivery and political advocacy within Planned Parenthood.


=== COVID-19 Pandemic Commentary ===
=== COVID-19 Pandemic Commentary ===


During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which began in early 2020, Wen became one of the most visible public health commentators in American media. She served as a medical analyst for [[CNN]], appearing frequently on the network's programs to discuss pandemic developments, public health policy, vaccination strategies, and mitigation measures.
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which began in early 2020, Wen became one of the most prominent public health communicators in American media. She served as a medical analyst for [[CNN]], appearing frequently on the network to discuss pandemic developments, public health policy, vaccination strategies, and the evolving scientific understanding of [[SARS-CoV-2]].


Wen was invited to testify before Congress four times during the pandemic, including two appearances before the [[Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis]]. Her congressional testimony addressed topics including the federal pandemic response, vaccination policy, and strategies for mitigating the spread of [[SARS-CoV-2]].
Wen was invited to testify before the [[United States Congress]] four times during the pandemic, including two appearances before the [[Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Leana Wen |url=https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/ |publisher=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=November 4, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her congressional testimony addressed topics including pandemic preparedness, public health infrastructure, and the federal response to the crisis.


As the pandemic evolved, Wen's public positions on certain issues, including masking, school closures, and the balance between public health restrictions and individual freedoms, generated both support and criticism. Some public health advocates criticized her for positions they viewed as insufficiently cautious, particularly regarding the pace of reopening and the easing of mitigation measures. Wen defended her approach as being guided by evolving scientific evidence and the recognition that public health policy must weigh multiple considerations, including the social and economic costs of prolonged restrictions.
Wen also served as a public health communicator during the [[2022 mpox outbreak]], providing expert analysis on the emerging health threat. Her commentary during both the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak was notable for its focus on translating complex scientific and public health information for a general audience. However, some public health advocates criticized certain of her views on pandemic policy, particularly as her positions evolved over the course of the pandemic.
 
She also provided public commentary during the [[2022 mpox outbreak]], offering medical analysis and public health guidance through her media platforms.


=== Academic and Media Career ===
=== Academic and Media Career ===


Wen holds a position as a professor of public health at [[George Washington University]], where she teaches and conducts work on health policy and public health practice.<ref name="bpc" /> She also serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]], a prominent policy research organization based in Washington, D.C.<ref name="bpc" />
Following her tenure at Planned Parenthood and concurrent with her pandemic commentary work, Wen assumed academic and institutional positions. She serves as a professor of public health at the [[Milken Institute School of Public Health]] at [[George Washington University]], where she teaches and conducts work related to health policy and public health practice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Leana Wen |url=https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/ |publisher=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=November 4, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


As a columnist for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Wen writes a twice-weekly opinion column covering medicine and public health topics.<ref name="bpc" /> Her columns have addressed a wide range of subjects, including vaccine policy, cancer screening, mental health treatment, long-term care, and emerging health trends. Recent columns have examined topics such as evidence-based adult vaccine recommendations,<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-12 |title=Opinion {{!}} Where to find evidence-based adult vaccine recommendations |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/12/vaccine-recommendations-adults-acp-medical/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> personalized breast cancer screening approaches,<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Opinion {{!}} The case for more personalized breast cancer screening |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/19/breast-cancer-mammogram-risk-reduction/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the potential cognitive benefits of coffee consumption,<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Opinion {{!}} Drink coffee to prevent dementia? It's not so far-fetched. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/17/coffee-dementia-brain-health-study/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the risks of psychedelic microdosing,<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-05 |title=Opinion {{!}} The alarming trend of psychedelic microdosing |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/05/microdosing-psilocybin-psychedelics-depression/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> and the social benefits of long-term care facilities.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-30 |title=Opinion {{!}} The unexpected benefits of moving to a long-term care facility |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/10/30/nursing-home-assisted-living-social-benefits-research/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Wen is also a nonresident senior fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]], a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, where she contributes to research and policy discussions on health-related topics.


Wen has continued her role as a public health commentator on radio, appearing on programs such as [[WYPR]]'s ''Midday'' to discuss health topics including medication safety, [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] policy changes, and vaccine recommendations.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-06 |title=Dr. Leana Wen on Tylenol safety, CDC turmoil, new vaccine policies |url=https://www.wypr.org/show/midday/2025-10-06/dr-leana-wen-on-tylenol-safety-cdc-turmoil-new-vaccine-policies |work=WYPR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As a columnist for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Wen writes a twice-weekly opinion column covering medicine and public health.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Leana Wen |url=https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/ |publisher=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=November 4, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Her columns have addressed a wide range of health topics, including vaccine recommendations for adults,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 12, 2026 |title=Opinion {{!}} Where to find evidence-based adult vaccine recommendations |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/12/vaccine-recommendations-adults-acp-medical/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> personalized breast cancer screening,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 19, 2026 |title=Opinion {{!}} The case for more personalized breast cancer screening |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/19/breast-cancer-mammogram-risk-reduction/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the risks of psychedelic microdosing,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 5, 2026 |title=Opinion {{!}} The alarming trend of psychedelic microdosing |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/05/microdosing-psilocybin-psychedelics-depression/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the potential cognitive benefits of coffee consumption,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 17, 2026 |title=Opinion {{!}} Drink coffee to prevent dementia? It's not so far-fetched. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/17/coffee-dementia-brain-health-study/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> and the social benefits of long-term care facilities.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 30, 2025 |title=Opinion {{!}} The unexpected benefits of moving to a long-term care facility |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/10/30/nursing-home-assisted-living-social-benefits-research/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


She has also participated in high-profile international discussion forums, including [[Time (magazine)|TIME]]'s TIME100 Talks series, where she has appeared alongside other global leaders to discuss public health solutions and challenges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Henrietta Fore, Dr. Leana Wen and Davido {{!}} TIME100 Talks (Full Event) |url=https://time.com/collections/march-through-time/7371314/priyanka-chopra-jonas-henrietta-fore-dr-leana-wen-and-davido-time100-talks-full-event/ |publisher=Time Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In addition to her print media work, Wen has continued to appear as a medical analyst and commentator on broadcast media, including on [[WYPR]], Baltimore's [[NPR]] affiliate, where she has discussed topics such as [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] policy changes and vaccine policy developments.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 6, 2025 |title=Dr. Leana Wen on Tylenol safety, CDC turmoil, new vaccine policies |url=https://www.wypr.org/show/midday/2025-10-06/dr-leana-wen-on-tylenol-safety-cdc-turmoil-new-vaccine-policies |work=WYPR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Affiliations and Board Service ===
Wen has been a sought-after public speaker, delivering lectures and keynote addresses at universities, professional conferences, and other venues on topics related to public health, healthcare policy, and patient advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen |url=http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/leana-wen |publisher=Wharton Center |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She has also delivered a [[TED talk]] that has been viewed widely.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen TED Talk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqXfpOu8bNY |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Throughout her career, Wen has served on multiple advisory boards and committees. These have included the PCORI Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement and the federal Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME).<ref>{{cite web |title=Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement |url=http://www.pcori.org/get-involved/pcori-advisory-panels/advisory-panel-on-patient-engagement/ |publisher=Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She has also been affiliated with the [[University of Maryland School of Medicine]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen |url=http://somvweb.som.umaryland.edu/absolutenm/templates/?z=41&a=3315 |publisher=University of Maryland School of Medicine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen |url=http://somvweb.som.umaryland.edu/absolutenm/templates/?z=41&a=3336 |publisher=University of Maryland School of Medicine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Wen has two children.<ref name="bpc" /> She resides in the [[Washington, D.C.]] metropolitan area, where she is based for her academic and media work. Details about her personal life beyond her professional activities remain largely private.
Wen has two children.<ref name="bio" /> She resides in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where she is based for her academic, media, and policy work. Wen has spoken publicly about her experiences as a Chinese-American immigrant and has discussed how her family's immigration story shaped her perspective on healthcare access and equity.


Wen was born in Shanghai, China, and her Chinese name is Wen Linyan (温麟衍). She immigrated to the United States as a child with her family and grew up in the Los Angeles area before pursuing her academic and medical career on the East Coast and in the United Kingdom.
== Recognition ==


== Recognition ==
Wen has received recognition from multiple organizations for her work in medicine and public health. In 2017, she was named to ''[[Modern Healthcare]]'''s list of the 50 Most Influential People in Healthcare, which recognized her leadership in addressing the opioid crisis in Baltimore and her broader contributions to public health policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=50 Most Influential People in Healthcare 2017 |url=http://www.modernhealthcare.com/community/50-most-influential/2017/ |publisher=Modern Healthcare |date=2017 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2016, Wen delivered the commencement address at the [[Notre Dame of Maryland University]], reflecting her growing profile as a public health leader and advocate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commencement 2016 |url=http://www.ndm.edu/news-events-community/commencement/commencement-archives/commencement-2016/ |publisher=Notre Dame of Maryland University |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2016, Wen delivered the commencement address at the [[Notre Dame of Maryland University]] graduation ceremony, where she spoke about public health leadership and service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commencement 2016 |url=http://www.ndm.edu/news-events-community/commencement/commencement-archives/commencement-2016/ |publisher=Notre Dame of Maryland University |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2017, ''[[Modern Healthcare]]'' named Wen to its list of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives, recognizing her impact on healthcare policy and practice through her leadership of the Baltimore City Health Department and her national advocacy on the opioid epidemic and other public health issues.<ref>{{cite web |title=50 Most Influential Clinical Executives |url=http://www.modernhealthcare.com/community/50-most-influential/2017/ |publisher=Modern Healthcare |date=2017 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Wen has been featured in the [[TIME100 Talks]] series, appearing alongside figures such as [[Priyanka Chopra Jonas]], [[Henrietta Fore]], and [[Davido]] in a program convening leaders from various fields to discuss solutions to global challenges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Henrietta Fore, Dr. Leana Wen and Davido {{!}} TIME100 Talks (Full Event) |url=https://time.com/collections/march-through-time/7371314/priyanka-chopra-jonas-henrietta-fore-dr-leana-wen-and-davido-time100-talks-full-event/ |publisher=Time Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Her TED talk and public speaking engagements have garnered significant attention, contributing to her profile as a public health communicator.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen TED Talk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqXfpOu8bNY |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> She has been featured on the TIME100 Talks platform and has testified multiple times before Congress, further establishing her as a prominent voice in American public health discourse.
Her work has been covered by ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'', ''[[The Washington Post]]'', ''[[USA Today]]'', [[NPR]], and numerous other national and international media outlets. She has also received testimonials from colleagues and organizations recognizing her contributions to patient advocacy and public health education.<ref>{{cite web |title=Testimonials |url=http://www.drleanawen.com/styled-6/styled-24/testimonials.html |publisher=DrLeanaWen.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Her ''Washington Post'' column and regular CNN appearances have made her one of the most recognizable public health commentators in American media, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her academic and professional affiliations have been documented by the [[Virtual International Authority File]] (VIAF), reflecting her recognized status as an author and public figure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leana Wen |url=https://viaf.org/viaf/287054382 |publisher=VIAF |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Wen's career has spanned the intersection of clinical medicine, public health administration, media commentary, and policy advocacy. Her work as Baltimore's health commissioner, particularly her initiatives to combat the opioid epidemic through widespread naloxone distribution, contributed to a broader national movement toward harm reduction strategies. The standing order she issued making naloxone available without an individual prescription was among the first such measures implemented in a major American city and served as a model for similar programs elsewhere.
Wen's career has spanned emergency medicine, municipal public health administration, reproductive health advocacy, and public health communication. Her tenure as Baltimore's Health Commissioner, particularly her aggressive response to the opioid crisis through expanded naloxone access, influenced the approach of other cities and states in addressing opioid overdose deaths. The blanket naloxone prescription she issued in Baltimore became a frequently cited example in national debates about harm reduction strategies.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 4, 2016 |title=This doctor wants an overdose antidote in every medicine cabinet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2016/03/04/doctor-wants-overdose-antidote-every-medicine-cabinet/81291850/ |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Her brief but notable tenure at Planned Parenthood highlighted tensions within the organization regarding its strategic direction and the balance between its healthcare services and its role in political advocacy. Her departure underscored the challenges faced by leaders of organizations that operate at the intersection of healthcare and politically contested terrain.


During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wen's role as a public health communicator placed her at the center of national debates about pandemic policy, individual liberty, and the role of expertise in democratic governance. Her willingness to adjust her public health recommendations in response to evolving evidence, while generating criticism from some quarters, also reflected the broader challenges faced by public health communicators during a rapidly changing crisis.
Her role as a public health communicator during the COVID-19 pandemic placed her at the center of national discussions about pandemic response, vaccination policy, and the tension between public health mandates and individual freedoms. While her commentary reached large audiences through CNN and ''The Washington Post'', it also generated debate, with some public health advocates taking issue with certain of her positions as the pandemic evolved.


As a Chinese-American immigrant who rose to positions of influence in American medicine and public health, Wen's career trajectory has also been noted in the context of representation in healthcare leadership. Her continued work as a professor, columnist, and policy fellow ensures her ongoing participation in national conversations about health policy and public health practice.
As a Chinese-American immigrant who rose to lead major public health institutions, Wen's career trajectory has been noted in discussions about diversity in healthcare leadership. Her continued work as a professor at George Washington University, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a columnist for ''The Washington Post'' ensures her ongoing presence in public health discourse in the United States.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 116: Line 107:
[[Category:American women physicians]]
[[Category:American women physicians]]
[[Category:American public health doctors]]
[[Category:American public health doctors]]
[[Category:American columnists]]
[[Category:American women columnists]]
[[Category:American medical journalists]]
[[Category:American television journalists]]
[[Category:American people of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:American people of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:Chinese emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Chinese emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:People from Shanghai]]
[[Category:California State University, Los Angeles alumni]]
[[Category:California State University, Los Angeles alumni]]
[[Category:Washington University in St. Louis alumni]]
[[Category:Washington University School of Medicine alumni]]
[[Category:Washington University School of Medicine alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of Merton College, Oxford]]
[[Category:American Rhodes Scholars]]
[[Category:George Washington University faculty]]
[[Category:George Washington University faculty]]
[[Category:Planned Parenthood]]
[[Category:Planned Parenthood people]]
[[Category:People from Shanghai]]
[[Category:Baltimore City Health Department]]
[[Category:Physicians from Baltimore]]
[[Category:The Washington Post people]]
[[Category:The Washington Post people]]
[[Category:CNN people]]
[[Category:CNN people]]
[[Category:Brookings Institution people]]
[[Category:American columnists]]
[[Category:American women columnists]]
[[Category:American medical writers]]
[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]
[[Category:Women in Maryland politics]]
[[Category:Women in Maryland politics]]
[[Category:American women academics]]
<html><script type="application/ld+json">
<html><script type="application/ld+json">
{
{

Latest revision as of 04:28, 24 February 2026

Leana Wen
BornWen Linyan
27 01, 1983
BirthplaceShanghai, China
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPhysician, professor, author, columnist, television commentator
EmployerGeorge Washington University, The Washington Post, Brookings Institution
Known forBaltimore Health Commissioner, President of Planned Parenthood, COVID-19 public health commentary
EducationCalifornia State University, Los Angeles (BS)
Washington University in St. Louis (MD)
Merton College, Oxford (MSc, MSc)
Children2
Website[[drleanawen.com drleanawen.com] Official site]

Leana Sheryle Wen (Template:Zh; born Wen Linyan; January 27, 1983) is an American emergency medicine physician, public health professor, author, columnist, and television medical analyst. Born in Shanghai, China, Wen immigrated to the United States as a child and rose through academic and public service ranks to become one of the most visible public health voices in the country. She served as the Health Commissioner of Baltimore City from 2014 to 2018, a period during which she confronted the city's opioid epidemic and worked to expand access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone. In November 2018, she was appointed president of Planned Parenthood, a position she held until July 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wen became a prominent public health communicator, serving as a medical analyst for CNN and testifying four times before the United States Congress, including twice before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.[1] She is a professor of public health at George Washington University, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a twice-weekly columnist for The Washington Post, where she writes on medicine and public health.[2]

Early Life

Leana Wen was born on January 27, 1983, in Shanghai, China.[3] She immigrated to the United States as a young child with her family. Details of her early childhood in China and the circumstances of her family's emigration have been discussed in her public speeches and writings, in which she has spoken about the experience of being an immigrant and the challenges her family faced upon arriving in the United States.

Wen grew up in the Los Angeles area, where she attended public schools. Her early experiences navigating the American healthcare system as a child of immigrant parents would later inform her career in medicine and public health, including her advocacy for patient-centered care and transparent communication between doctors and patients.[4]

Education

Wen pursued her undergraduate education at California State University, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree.[3] She subsequently attended Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.[4]

Wen was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford, where she was a member of Merton College. At Oxford, she earned two Master of Science degrees.[4] Her time at Oxford further shaped her interest in the intersection of clinical medicine and public health policy.

Wen completed her residency training in emergency medicine, which equipped her with frontline clinical experience that she would later draw upon in her public health and policy work.[5]

Career

Early Medical Career and Advocacy

Before entering public service, Wen practiced as an emergency physician and became an advocate for transparency in the doctor-patient relationship. She argued that physicians should be more forthcoming about their credentials, potential conflicts of interest, and the reasoning behind their clinical decisions. This advocacy culminated in a body of writing and public speaking on the topic, including contributions to The Huffington Post and Psychology Today.[6][7]

In January 2013, Wen co-authored a book exploring the theme of patient empowerment and the importance of doctors listening to their patients, which received coverage from WBUR's CommonHealth program.[8] The book argued that the modern healthcare system often failed patients through excessive reliance on tests and insufficient attention to patient narratives and histories.

Wen also served on advisory panels related to patient engagement and healthcare workforce development. She was a member of an advisory panel of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), which focused on patient engagement in clinical research.[9] Additionally, she contributed to the twentieth report of the Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME), an advisory body to the Health Resources and Services Administration.[10]

Baltimore City Health Commissioner

On December 5, 2014, Wen was appointed Health Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, succeeding Oxiris Barbot.[11] At the time of her appointment, she was one of the youngest big-city health commissioners in the United States. In an interview with NPR upon leaving her emergency medicine practice, Wen described her motivation for transitioning to public health leadership, explaining that she wanted to address the root causes of the health problems she encountered in the emergency room.[12]

One of Wen's signature initiatives as Health Commissioner was her response to Baltimore's opioid epidemic. She declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency and implemented a blanket prescription allowing all Baltimore residents to obtain naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversal medication, without an individual prescription. This approach attracted national attention and was seen as a model for other jurisdictions grappling with rising opioid overdose deaths.[13]

Wen also advocated at the federal level for stronger regulatory action on opioids. She joined other public health officials in pushing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to add black box warnings about the dangers of combining opioids with benzodiazepines, a combination associated with a heightened risk of fatal overdose.[14] She testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on the subject of opioid abuse in America.[15]

During her tenure, Wen also oversaw public health responses to other crises affecting Baltimore, including the aftermath of the civil unrest following the death of Freddie Gray in 2015 and the broader challenges of urban public health including lead poisoning, infant mortality, and chronic disease prevention. She served as Baltimore's Health Commissioner until October 12, 2018, when she departed to assume the presidency of Planned Parenthood.[11]

Planned Parenthood Presidency

On November 12, 2018, Wen became president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, succeeding Cecile Richards, who had led the organization for twelve years. Wen was the first physician to lead Planned Parenthood in approximately fifty years.[4]

Wen's tenure at Planned Parenthood was brief and ended amid reported disagreements between Wen and the organization's board over the strategic direction of the organization. On July 16, 2019, after approximately eight months in the role, Wen's presidency concluded. She was succeeded by Alexis McGill Johnson, who initially served in an acting capacity. The circumstances of her departure generated significant media coverage and public discussion about the balance between healthcare service delivery and political advocacy within Planned Parenthood.

COVID-19 Pandemic Commentary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, Wen became one of the most prominent public health communicators in American media. She served as a medical analyst for CNN, appearing frequently on the network to discuss pandemic developments, public health policy, vaccination strategies, and the evolving scientific understanding of SARS-CoV-2.

Wen was invited to testify before the United States Congress four times during the pandemic, including two appearances before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.[16] Her congressional testimony addressed topics including pandemic preparedness, public health infrastructure, and the federal response to the crisis.

Wen also served as a public health communicator during the 2022 mpox outbreak, providing expert analysis on the emerging health threat. Her commentary during both the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak was notable for its focus on translating complex scientific and public health information for a general audience. However, some public health advocates criticized certain of her views on pandemic policy, particularly as her positions evolved over the course of the pandemic.

Academic and Media Career

Following her tenure at Planned Parenthood and concurrent with her pandemic commentary work, Wen assumed academic and institutional positions. She serves as a professor of public health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, where she teaches and conducts work related to health policy and public health practice.[17]

Wen is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, where she contributes to research and policy discussions on health-related topics.

As a columnist for The Washington Post, Wen writes a twice-weekly opinion column covering medicine and public health.[18] Her columns have addressed a wide range of health topics, including vaccine recommendations for adults,[19] personalized breast cancer screening,[20] the risks of psychedelic microdosing,[21] the potential cognitive benefits of coffee consumption,[22] and the social benefits of long-term care facilities.[23]

In addition to her print media work, Wen has continued to appear as a medical analyst and commentator on broadcast media, including on WYPR, Baltimore's NPR affiliate, where she has discussed topics such as CDC policy changes and vaccine policy developments.[24]

Wen has been a sought-after public speaker, delivering lectures and keynote addresses at universities, professional conferences, and other venues on topics related to public health, healthcare policy, and patient advocacy.[25] She has also delivered a TED talk that has been viewed widely.[26]

Personal Life

Wen has two children.[4] She resides in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where she is based for her academic, media, and policy work. Wen has spoken publicly about her experiences as a Chinese-American immigrant and has discussed how her family's immigration story shaped her perspective on healthcare access and equity.

Recognition

Wen has received recognition from multiple organizations for her work in medicine and public health. In 2017, she was named to Modern Healthcare's list of the 50 Most Influential People in Healthcare, which recognized her leadership in addressing the opioid crisis in Baltimore and her broader contributions to public health policy.[27]

In 2016, Wen delivered the commencement address at the Notre Dame of Maryland University graduation ceremony, where she spoke about public health leadership and service.[28]

Wen has been featured in the TIME100 Talks series, appearing alongside figures such as Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Henrietta Fore, and Davido in a program convening leaders from various fields to discuss solutions to global challenges.[29]

Her work has been covered by The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, and numerous other national and international media outlets. She has also received testimonials from colleagues and organizations recognizing her contributions to patient advocacy and public health education.[30]

Her academic and professional affiliations have been documented by the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF), reflecting her recognized status as an author and public figure.[31]

Legacy

Wen's career has spanned emergency medicine, municipal public health administration, reproductive health advocacy, and public health communication. Her tenure as Baltimore's Health Commissioner, particularly her aggressive response to the opioid crisis through expanded naloxone access, influenced the approach of other cities and states in addressing opioid overdose deaths. The blanket naloxone prescription she issued in Baltimore became a frequently cited example in national debates about harm reduction strategies.[32]

Her role as a public health communicator during the COVID-19 pandemic placed her at the center of national discussions about pandemic response, vaccination policy, and the tension between public health mandates and individual freedoms. While her commentary reached large audiences through CNN and The Washington Post, it also generated debate, with some public health advocates taking issue with certain of her positions as the pandemic evolved.

As a Chinese-American immigrant who rose to lead major public health institutions, Wen's career trajectory has been noted in discussions about diversity in healthcare leadership. Her continued work as a professor at George Washington University, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a columnist for The Washington Post ensures her ongoing presence in public health discourse in the United States.

References

  1. ↑ "Dr. Leana Wen".Bipartisan Policy Center.November 4, 2025.https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ "Opinion | Drink coffee to prevent dementia? It's not so far-fetched.".The Washington Post.February 17, 2026.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/17/coffee-dementia-brain-health-study/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cal State L.A. alumna named Baltimore health commissioner".California State University, Los Angeles.http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/leanawen.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Bio".DrLeanaWen.com.http://www.drleanawen.com/styled/styled-15/bio.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "Why I'm Leaving The ER To Run Baltimore's Health Department".NPR.January 15, 2015.https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/15/377286159/why-i-m-leaving-the-er-to-run-baltimores-health-department.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Leana Wen, MD".HuffPost.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leana-wen-md.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Leana Wen, MD".Psychology Today.http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/leana-wen-md.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "When Doctors Don't Listen".WBUR CommonHealth.January 2013.http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/01/when-doctors-dont-listen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement".PCORI.http://www.pcori.org/get-involved/pcori-advisory-panels/advisory-panel-on-patient-engagement/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Twentieth Report: Advancing Primary Care".Health Resources and Services Administration.http://www.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/bhpradvisory/cogme/reports/twentiethreport.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Health commissioner named".The Baltimore Sun.December 4, 2014.http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-health-commissioner-20141204-story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Why I'm Leaving The ER To Run Baltimore's Health Department".NPR.January 15, 2015.https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/15/377286159/why-i-m-leaving-the-er-to-run-baltimores-health-department.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "This doctor wants an overdose antidote in every medicine cabinet".USA Today.March 4, 2016.https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2016/03/04/doctor-wants-overdose-antidote-every-medicine-cabinet/81291850/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Health officials push FDA to add black-box warnings about using opioids, benzodiazepines together".The Washington Post.February 22, 2016.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/02/22/health-officials-push-fda-to-add-black-box-warnings-about-using-opioids-benzodiazepines-together/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Opioid Abuse in America: Facing the Epidemic and Examining Solutions".U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/opioid-abuse-in-america-facing-the-epidemic-and-examining-solutions.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Dr. Leana Wen".Bipartisan Policy Center.November 4, 2025.https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Dr. Leana Wen".Bipartisan Policy Center.November 4, 2025.https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Dr. Leana Wen".Bipartisan Policy Center.November 4, 2025.https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/dr-leana-wen/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Opinion | Where to find evidence-based adult vaccine recommendations".The Washington Post.February 12, 2026.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/12/vaccine-recommendations-adults-acp-medical/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "Opinion | The case for more personalized breast cancer screening".The Washington Post.February 19, 2026.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/19/breast-cancer-mammogram-risk-reduction/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "Opinion | The alarming trend of psychedelic microdosing".The Washington Post.February 5, 2026.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/05/microdosing-psilocybin-psychedelics-depression/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Opinion | Drink coffee to prevent dementia? It's not so far-fetched.".The Washington Post.February 17, 2026.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/17/coffee-dementia-brain-health-study/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Opinion | The unexpected benefits of moving to a long-term care facility".The Washington Post.October 30, 2025.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/10/30/nursing-home-assisted-living-social-benefits-research/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Dr. Leana Wen on Tylenol safety, CDC turmoil, new vaccine policies".WYPR.October 6, 2025.https://www.wypr.org/show/midday/2025-10-06/dr-leana-wen-on-tylenol-safety-cdc-turmoil-new-vaccine-policies.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Leana Wen".Wharton Center.http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/leana-wen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "Leana Wen TED Talk".YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqXfpOu8bNY.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "50 Most Influential People in Healthcare 2017".Modern Healthcare.2017.http://www.modernhealthcare.com/community/50-most-influential/2017/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ↑ "Commencement 2016".Notre Dame of Maryland University.http://www.ndm.edu/news-events-community/commencement/commencement-archives/commencement-2016/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  29. ↑ "Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Henrietta Fore, Dr. Leana Wen and Davido | TIME100 Talks (Full Event)".Time Magazine.https://time.com/collections/march-through-time/7371314/priyanka-chopra-jonas-henrietta-fore-dr-leana-wen-and-davido-time100-talks-full-event/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  30. ↑ "Testimonials".DrLeanaWen.com.http://www.drleanawen.com/styled-6/styled-24/testimonials.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  31. ↑ "Leana Wen".VIAF.https://viaf.org/viaf/287054382.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  32. ↑ "This doctor wants an overdose antidote in every medicine cabinet".USA Today.March 4, 2016.https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2016/03/04/doctor-wants-overdose-antidote-every-medicine-cabinet/81291850/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

Retrieved from "https://biography.wiki/index.php?title=Leana_Wen&oldid=258"