History / Offices

Secretary of Health and Human Services

15 people have held this office since May 4, 1980. Now: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. I.

Holders
15
8 R · 5 D · 1 U · 1 I
Longest tenure
8 years
Donna Shalala
Current
20 months
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., since Feb 13, 2025
history/office/secretary-of-health-and-human-servicesEvery holder, newest first
+15
1980198519901995200020052010201520202025Patricia Harris · 1980-05-04 – 1981-01-20 · DemocratMargaret Heckler · 1983-03-09 – 1985-12-13 · RepublicanOtis R. Bowen · 1985-12-13 – 1989-01-20 · RepublicanLouis Wade Sullivan · 1989-03-01 – 1993-01-20 · RepublicanDonna Shalala · 1993-01-22 – 2001-01-20 · DemocratTommy Thompson · 2001-02-02 – 2005-01-26 · RepublicanMike Leavitt · 2005-01-26 – 2009-01-20 · RepublicanKathleen Sebelius · 2009-04-28 – 2014-06-09 · DemocratSylvia Burwell · 2014-06-09 – 2017-01-20 · DemocratTom Price · 2017-02-10 – 2017-09-29 · RepublicanAlex Azar · 2018-01-29 – 2021-01-20 · RepublicanNorris Cochran · 2021-01-20 – 2021-03-19 · RepublicanXavier Becerra · 2021-03-19 – 2025-01-20 · DemocratDorothy Fink · 2025-01-20 – 2025-02-13Robert F. Kennedy Jr. · 2025-02-13 – present · Independent
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. I
Feb 13, 2025 – present · 20 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Dorothy Fink
Jan 20, 2025 – Feb 13, 2025 · 24 days · appointed by Donald Trump
Xavier Becerra D
Mar 19, 2021 – Jan 20, 2025 · 3.8 years · appointed by Joe Biden
Norris Cochran R (acting)
Jan 20, 2021 – Mar 19, 2021 · 2 months
Alex Azar R
Jan 29, 2018 – Jan 20, 2021 · 3 years · appointed by Donald Trump
Tom Price R
Feb 10, 2017 – Sep 29, 2017 · 8 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Sylvia Burwell D
Jun 9, 2014 – Jan 20, 2017 · 2.6 years · appointed by Barack Obama
Kathleen Sebelius D
Apr 28, 2009 – Jun 9, 2014 · 5.1 years · appointed by Barack Obama
Mike Leavitt R
Jan 26, 2005 – Jan 20, 2009 · 4 years · appointed by George W. Bush
Tommy Thompson R
Feb 2, 2001 – Jan 26, 2005 · 4 years · appointed by George W. Bush
Donna Shalala D
Jan 22, 1993 – Jan 20, 2001 · 8 years · appointed by Bill Clinton
Louis Wade Sullivan R
Mar 1, 1989 – Jan 20, 1993 · 3.9 years · appointed by George H. W. Bush
Otis R. Bowen R
Dec 13, 1985 – Jan 20, 1989 · 3.1 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan
Margaret Heckler R
Mar 9, 1983 – Dec 13, 1985 · 2.8 years · appointed by Ronald Reagan
Patricia Harris D
May 4, 1980 – Jan 20, 1981 · 9 months · appointed by Jimmy Carter

Dates are from Wikidata, which has gaps for some historical offices. Consecutive terms of one person are merged.