Dr. Leana Wen, a physician and leader, champions public health, opioid crisis solutions, and women’s healthcare access while overcoming political challenges.

In the often contentious and politically charged realm of public health, few figures have made as profound an impact as Dr. Leana Wen. As Baltimore’s Health Commissioner, Wen tackled the opioid epidemic with an unprecedented level of pragmatism, pioneering a groundbreaking solution that saved thousands of lives. Now, as the newly appointed president of Planned Parenthood, she carries her same unshakable resolve into the fight for women’s healthcare rights at a national level. Wen’s journey—from a young immigrant to a physician and public health leader—has shaped her belief that healthcare is a fundamental human right, a principle that has guided her career and continues to inform her advocacy.

A Revolutionary Approach to the Opioid Crisis

In 2015, Baltimore was in the grip of a devastating opioid crisis. With nearly 90% of overdose deaths linked to opioid use, Wen recognized that traditional methods were insufficient. Rather than waiting for bureaucratic approvals and slow-moving policy changes, she took direct action. Wen wrote a blanket prescription for naloxone, the life-saving overdose-reversing drug, making it accessible to every Baltimore citizen willing to fill it. This unprecedented move was both practical and bold, cutting through red tape and putting life-saving medication directly into the hands of those who needed it most.

For Wen, an emergency-room physician who had personally administered naloxone to overdosing patients, the decision was simple. She knew that addiction was a disease, not a moral failing, and that saving lives had to be the first priority. Her initiative has been credited with reversing nearly 3,000 overdoses, a testament to the power of proactive and compassionate leadership in public health.

Breaking Barriers at Planned Parenthood

In November, Wen assumes the role of president at Planned Parenthood, becoming the first physician in nearly 50 years to lead the organization. With a medical perspective rather than a political one, she hopes to reframe the conversation around Planned Parenthood’s work. Rather than engaging in political debates, Wen wants to emphasize the essential healthcare services the organization provides—breast exams, infertility treatments, incontinence care, and more.

“We’re not here to make a political statement,” she asserts. “We’re here to provide healthcare to those who need us.” Yet, despite her efforts to focus on care rather than controversy, the battle for reproductive rights remains fraught with political opposition. In June, the Trump administration proposed changes to federal funding, restricting the types of contraception and pregnancy counseling that centers like Planned Parenthood could offer. Additionally, a new regulation aimed to prevent healthcare providers from referring patients for abortion services. This policy shift could significantly impact Planned Parenthood’s ability to serve millions of women across the country.

But Wen is no stranger to standing up to powerful opponents. As Baltimore’s Health Commissioner, she led the city in lawsuits against the Trump Administration when funding was cut from 81 teen-pregnancy-prevention programs nationwide. Her efforts resulted in the restoration of $5 million in federal grants for Baltimore. Her experience navigating legal and political challenges will be invaluable as she leads Planned Parenthood through an era of heightened scrutiny and legislative attacks.

A Personal Connection to the Mission

Wen’s advocacy is deeply personal. At the age of seven, she immigrated to the United States from China with her family, experiencing firsthand the struggles of financial hardship and limited healthcare access. When her family faced difficulties affording rent, Planned Parenthood became their lifeline, providing essential healthcare services to Wen, her sister, and her mother. These early experiences instilled in her an unwavering commitment to ensuring that others do not have to choose between financial stability and their health.

Her passion for public health led her to a distinguished medical career. She studied at Washington University and Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar before earning her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. She later worked as an emergency physician, where she saw daily the devastating consequences of a healthcare system that often left the most vulnerable without adequate care.

Defending Healthcare on a National Scale

Wen sees healthcare as more than just treatment—it is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. Her tenure as Health Commissioner proved her ability to translate this belief into action, and her leadership at Planned Parenthood promises to continue that trajectory on an even larger scale.

Her challenges are numerous. Opponents of Planned Parenthood seek to dismantle the organization through funding cuts and restrictive policies. The political climate remains charged, with constant efforts to limit reproductive rights. Yet, Wen remains undeterred, ready to use her expertise, personal experience, and unrelenting advocacy to ensure that women across the country continue to receive the care they need.

“The idea that health is a basic fundamental human right is the concept and value that I’ve held my entire life,” Wen says. And with her at the helm, the fight for accessible, equitable healthcare is in resolute and capable hands.