To everyone criticizing RFK Jr.’s lack of experience we give you the last 20 Secretaries of Health

Leave a CommentTo everyone criticizing RFK Jr.’s lack of experience we give you the last 20 Secretaries of HealthGovernment, Health

It’s a heck of a job, with a great many divisions. People are claiming Robert F. Kennedy is not qualified to run the Department of Health and Human Services. So, here’s a list of the last 20 Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with their notable qualifications.

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  1. Xavier Becerra (2021-Present):
  • Qualifications: Attorney General of California, U.S. Representative for California’s 30th congressional district. No specific medical or health policy background, but extensive legal and public policy experience.
  1. Alex Azar (2018-2021):
  • Qualifications: Former President of Lilly USA, LLC, part of Eli Lilly and Company. Previously served as HHS Deputy Secretary and General Counsel under President George W. Bush. J.D. from Yale Law School, B.A. in Government and Economics from Dartmouth College.
  1. Eric Hargan (Acting, 2017-2018):
  • Qualifications: Corporate lawyer with experience in healthcare law. Served as Deputy Secretary of HHS under Azar. J.D. from Columbia University.
  1. Tom Price (2017):
  • Qualifications: Orthopedic surgeon, U.S. Representative for Georgia. M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine, served in Congress on health policy issues.
  1. Sylvia Mathews Burwell (2014-2017):
  • Qualifications: President of the Walmart Foundation, OMB Director under President Obama. B.A. in Government from Harvard University, M.P.A. from Oxford University.
  1. Sylvia Mathews Burwell (Acting, 2014):
  • Qualifications: Same as above.
  1. Donna Shalala (1993-2001):
  • Qualifications: Academic, served as Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Ph.D. in social science from Syracuse University.
  1. Louis Sullivan (1989-1993):
  • Qualifications: Physician, President of Morehouse School of Medicine, former faculty member at Emory University School of Medicine. M.D. from Boston University.
  1. Otis R. Bowen (1985-1989):
  • Qualifications: Physician and Governor of Indiana. M.D. from Indiana University School of Medicine.
  1. Margaret Heckler (1983-1985):
    • Qualifications: U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, Ambassador to Ireland. B.A. from Albertus Magnus College.
  2. Richard Schweiker (1981-1983):
    • Qualifications: U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. B.A. from Pennsylvania State University.
  3. Patricia Roberts Harris (1980-1981):
    • Qualifications: Attorney, diplomat, and first African American woman to serve in a U.S. Cabinet position. J.D. from George Washington University Law School.
  4. Joseph A. Califano Jr. (1977-1979):
    • Qualifications: Lawyer, served as U.S. Secretary of the Army. J.D. from Harvard Law School.
  5. F. David Mathews (1975-1977):
    • Qualifications: Academic, President of the University of Alabama. Ph.D. in Philosophy from Columbia University.
  6. Caspar Weinberger (1973-1975):
    • Qualifications: Lawyer, later Secretary of Defense. J.D. from Harvard Law School.
  7. Frank Carlucci (Acting, 1972-1973):
    • Qualifications: Diplomat, later Secretary of Defense. B.S. from Princeton University.
  8. Elliot Richardson (1970-1973):
    • Qualifications: Lawyer, served in various other Cabinet positions. J.D. from Harvard Law School.
  9. Robert Finch (1969-1970):
    • Qualifications: Lawyer, former Lieutenant Governor of California. B.A. from Hamilton College.
  10. Wilbur J. Cohen (1968-1969):
    • Qualifications: Economist, key in creating Social Security. Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin–Madison.
  11. John W. Gardner (1965-1968):
    • Qualifications: Educator, founder of Common Cause. Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

This list reflects a blend of medical professionals, legal experts, educators, and politicians, showcasing the diverse backgrounds that have led the Department of Health and Human Services. Note that some Secretaries served under different titles when the department was known as Health, Education, and Welfare.