Kristine Gebbie

Kristine Moore Gebbie, DrPH, RN, is a Professor of Nursing at Columbia University School of Nursing. She is best known for being the first AIDS Czar, from 1993 to 1994, during the Clinton Administration.

Before joining the White House, she was the Secretary of the Department of Health for the State of Washington (1989-93) and was previously director of the Oregon Department of Health. She became well known as member of the Presidential Committee on AIDS, formed by President Reagan. She was an outspoken opponent of the Reagan Administration policies on AIDS testing.

She earned degrees in nursing from St. Olaf College and the University of California at Los Angeles. She also holds a Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, earned in 1995. She was pursuing this degree when she was named AIDS Czar in 1993.