History of Leana Wen in Timeline

Leana Wen is an American physician, author, and public health expert. She served as the Health Commissioner for Baltimore City, where she focused on addressing the opioid crisis, improving maternal and child health, and promoting health equity. Subsequently, she became the president of Planned Parenthood, advocating for reproductive health access and women's rights. Wen is a frequent commentator on public health issues, contributing to various media outlets and publications.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

January 27, 1983: Leana Wen Born

On January 27, 1983, Leana Sheryle Wen (born Wen Linyan) was born in Shanghai, China.

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2001: Graduation with Bachelor of Science

In 2001, at the age of 18, Leana Wen graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from California State University, Los Angeles.

2003: Became a U.S. Citizen

In 2003, Leana Wen and her family became citizens of the United States.

2005: National President of AMSA

In 2005, Leana Wen took a leave of absence from medical school to serve as the national president of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), leading campaigns to increase healthcare access and combat conflicts of interest.

2007: Received Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science

In 2007, Leana Wen received a Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine and a Master of Science (MSc) in economic and social history from Merton College, Oxford.

2008: Earned Master's Degree in Chinese Studies

In 2008, Leana Wen earned a master's degree in Chinese studies from Merton College, Oxford.

2010: Death of Wen's Mother

In 2010, Leana Wen's mother passed away from breast cancer. Prior to her passing she worked as a hotel room cleaner, video store clerk, and ultimately as an elementary school teacher.

November 2011: Blessing Ceremony in Cape Town

In November 2011, Leana Wen and Sebastian Neil Walker had a blessing ceremony in Cape Town.

February 2012: Marriage to Sebastian Neil Walker

In February 2012, Leana Wen married South Africa native Sebastian Neil Walker in Boston.

2013: Publication of "When Doctors Don't Listen"

In 2013, St. Martin's Press published Leana Wen's book, "When Doctors Don't Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests", co-authored with Joshua Kosowsky.

When Doctors Don't Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests

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December 2014: Appointment as Baltimore City Health Commissioner

In December 2014, Leana Wen was first appointed as the health commissioner for Baltimore City by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

2015: Directed Public Health Recovery After Baltimore Riots

In 2015, Leana Wen directed the city's public health recovery efforts following the Baltimore riots, which included ensuring prescription medication access to seniors and developing a Mental Health/Trauma Recovery Plan.

March 2016: Invited to White House Panel Discussion

In March 2016, Leana Wen was invited by the White House to join President Barack Obama and CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on a panel discussion, where she spoke about Baltimore's opioid overdose prevention efforts.

December 2016: Reappointment as Baltimore City Health Commissioner

In December 2016, Leana Wen was reappointed as the health commissioner for Baltimore City by Mayor Catherine Pugh.

2017: Birth of Son

In 2017, Leana Wen and Sebastian Neil Walker had a son.

March 2018: City of Baltimore Sued Trump Administration

In March 2018, on behalf of Leana Wen and the Baltimore City Health Department, the City of Baltimore sued the Trump administration for cutting teen pregnancy prevention funds, resulting in a federal judge ordering the restoration of $5 million in grant funding to Baltimore-based programs. She also criticized proposed changes to the Title X program, but this decision was later reversed.

September 18, 2018: Appointed President of Planned Parenthood

On September 18, 2018, Leana Wen was appointed president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, becoming the first medical doctor to serve in the role in nearly 50 years and the first woman doctor ever to do so.

October 2018: Resignation as Baltimore City Health Commissioner

In October 2018, Leana Wen resigned as the health commissioner for Baltimore City to become the head of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

2018: Baltimore City Health Department Awarded Local Health Department of the Year

In 2018, the National Association of County and City Health Officials awarded the Baltimore City Health Department, under the direction of Leana Wen, the Local Health Department of the Year award.

July 2019: Forced to Resign from Planned Parenthood

In July 2019, Leana Wen was forced to resign from her position as president of Planned Parenthood after only 8 months, reportedly due to disagreements over management and organizational philosophy.

July 19, 2019: Published Opinion Editorial in The New York Times

On July 19, 2019, Leana Wen published an opinion editorial in The New York Times, explaining that her departure from Planned Parenthood was due to disagreements over the centrality of abortion in the organization's mission.

August 2019: Joined George Washington University as Visiting Professor

In August 2019, Leana Wen joined the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University as a visiting professor of health policy and management. She was also named a distinguished fellow in the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity.

2019: Started Writing for The Washington Post

In 2019, Leana Wen began writing for The Washington Post as a contributing op-ed writer.

2020: Birth of Daughter

In 2020, Leana Wen and Sebastian Neil Walker had a daughter.

2020: Formalized Role as Columnist and Launched The Checkup with Dr. Wen

In 2020, Leana Wen's role as a columnist for The Washington Post became formalized, and she began anchoring a weekly newsletter on public health and healthcare called "The Checkup with Dr. Wen."

2021: Title X Gag Rule Overturned

In 2021, the Biden-Harris administration overturned the nationwide Title X gag rule that had been implemented under the Trump-Pence administration during Leana Wen's tenure at Planned Parenthood. This rule had prevented medical providers receiving Title X funding from referring patients for abortion services.

2022: Medical Analyst on CNN During Pandemics

In 2022, Leana Wen frequently appeared on CNN as an on-air medical analyst during the COVID-19 pandemic and the monkeypox outbreak.

2022: Public Health Communication During COVID-19 Pandemic and Mpox Outbreak

In 2022, Leana Wen served as a public health communicator during the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox outbreak, frequently appearing on CNN as a medical analyst. She also faced criticism from some public health advocates regarding her views on the pandemic.

2022: Controversy at APHA Annual Meeting

In 2022, Leana Wen was scheduled to speak at APHA's annual meeting, but an online petition objecting to her appearance circulated, citing her COVID-19 pandemic commentary. Due to safety concerns, Wen ultimately decided not to attend.

2023: Attention for Piece Claiming Over Counting of Covid Deaths

In 2023, Wen received attention for a piece in The Washington Post claiming that Covid deaths were being over counted, with some claiming vindication after claims of over counting deaths were decried as conspiracy theories years earlier.

November 12, 2024: Opinion Piece on Water Fluoridation

On November 12, 2024, Leana Wen published an opinion piece in The Washington Post, discussing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance against water fluoridation, arguing that it did not warrant the backlash it had garnered.

December 29, 2024: Commentary on Bird Flu Testing on CBS Face The Nation

On December 29, 2024, during a CBS Face The Nation broadcast, Dr. Leana Wen commented on the bird flu testing issue, urging the federal government to proactively ensure testing is readily available and not to delay accessibility of tests while waiting for laboratories to analyze the cases and assess their severity.

March 11, 2025: Op-ed Supporting NIH and FDA Nominees

On March 11, 2025, Leana Wen wrote an op-ed on Washington Post showing support for Trump's NIH and FDA nominees, Jay Bhattacharya and Marty Makary respectively.