Leana Wen – The Renowned Public Health Leader, Former President of Planned Parenthood, and Advocate for Healthcare Reform
Leana Wen is a prominent public health leader, physician, and advocate, known for her work with Planned Parenthood and as Baltimore’s Health Commissioner. She has written extensively on public health issues, with columns in The Washington Post and appearances on CNN, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Wen is a strong advocate for expanding access to healthcare services, particularly reproductive healthcare, and has led initiatives to address public health challenges like opioid addiction and infant mortality. She earned her medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Science in Public Health from Oxford University. Dr. Wen’s influential book, Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health, highlights her journey in medicine and the challenges facing the healthcare system. Leana Wen’s Early Life and Education Leana Wen's journey in medicine and public health began at an early age. Born in Shanghai, China, she moved to the United States at the age of eight. Growing up in Los Angeles, Dr. Wen excelled academically, entering college at the young age of 13. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a degree in Psychology before earning her medical degree (MD) from Washington University in St. Louis. Her academic pursuits didn’t stop there—Dr. Wen was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, which allowed her to study at the University of Oxford, where she obtained a Master of Science in Public Health (MSc). Where did Leana Wen go to school? Dr. Wen attended the University of California, Los Angeles, before earning her MD from Washington University in St. Louis. She also earned an MSc in Public Health from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar.
Read more: Lifelines Leana Wen