Dr. Brian Christine, a Mountain Brook resident and world-renowned urologist, has been nominated by President Donald Trump for assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), serving under Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Kennedy was confirmed as the 26th Secretary of HHS on February 12. U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) applauded Kennedy's nomination and voted for his confirmation.
According to the HHS website, "The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) leaders are dedicated to developing policy recommendations as they pertain to public health issues that cut across HHS agencies and operating divisions."
Christine earned his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and completed his residency in urology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He then joined the Urology Centers of Alabama, located in Birmingham. According to the Urology Centers of Alabama, "Initially, Dr. Christine practiced general urology, treating urologic cancers, kidney stones, and female urology in addition to male sexual dysfunction." It goes on to say he went on to receive "specialized training in the medical and surgical treatment of men's sexual health, spending time with recognized leaders in the field operating, observing, and learning."
Dr. Christine has been a long-time Trump supporter and donor, with contributions in 2020 and 2024. His brother, Bobby Christine, is a former Trump-appointed United States Attorney and current District Attorney in Evans, Georgia.
Upon confirmation by the U.S. Senate, he would replace Dr. Rachel Levine. During Levine's tenure, he focused on fighting states like Alabama that passed laws to protect children from unnecessary and harmful medical treatment for their gender dysphoria, long-term COVID-19, the health impacts of "climate change," and, most recently, promoting childhood vaccines. Christine declined an opportunity to comment on his nomination.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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