Amy Gleason’s unexpected rise: from health tech advocate to DOGE administrator amid Musk influence questions
Pranjal Chandra | Mar 10, 2025, 10:27 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Amy Gleason, a health tech expert and former nurse, becomes the acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), amid questions about Elon Musk’s influence. Gleason’s healthcare background, driven by her daughter’s rare disease, contrasts with DOGE’s potential budget cuts to essential institutions like NIH and CDC. Her role and authority remain uncertain.
Amy Gleason never anticipated a career in politics. A former emergency room nurse turned health technology expert, she spent years working to improve electronic medical records after her daughter’s rare disease diagnosis. Now, she unexpectedly finds herself at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a central player in the Trump administration’s push to streamline federal operations.
But even as she assumes the role of acting administrator, many are questioning whether she truly leads the agency—or if its most visible figure, Elon Musk, holds the real power.
Gleason, 53, built her reputation in health technology, working on projects aimed at improving patient access to medical records. Her journey into government began with the U.S. Digital Service, where she collaborated with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and later contributed to the White House Coronavirus Task Force’s data operations.
Her dedication to simplifying medical data access was inspired by her daughter Morgan’s struggles with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disorder that took over a year to diagnose. The experience propelled her into patient advocacy and digital health innovation, leading her to co-found the startup CareSync and later take leadership roles at various health-focused companies.
Then, in late February, the White House unexpectedly named her the acting administrator of DOGE, an agency with sweeping authority to restructure the federal government. The announcement caught many off guard, including former colleagues who had long known her as an apolitical figure dedicated to patient advocacy.
Despite her appointment, Gleason’s authority remains in question. Since its inception, DOGE has been closely associated with Musk, a special government employee who has driven its aggressive cost-cutting mission. Trump himself recently referred to Musk as the leader of DOGE, further fueling speculation about Gleason’s actual influence.
The White House only confirmed Gleason’s title after facing legal scrutiny about who was in charge of the agency. Even so, details about her role, responsibilities, and decision-making power remain scarce. Neither Gleason nor a DOGE spokesperson has publicly commented on her specific duties.
While some former colleagues praise her intelligence and integrity, others worry that she could become an unwitting participant in policies that contradict her past advocacy efforts. DOGE has already threatened deep budget cuts to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—institutions critical to rare disease research, including the very work that benefited her daughter.
James Minow, executive director at Cure JM Foundation—where Gleason once served as a board member—expressed concern that budget cuts under DOGE could hinder advancements in rare disease treatment. However, he also believes Gleason’s deep understanding of the health care system could provide a much-needed voice of reason within the agency.
“Amy is a very thorough thinker,” Minow said. “I think she’ll make reasoned recommendations to the president. Our hope is that she can protect critical funding within the constraints of this administration’s goals.”
Others are less optimistic. A former health care IT colleague, speaking anonymously, described her appointment as a paradox.
“To go from being a passionate patient advocate to leading an agency responsible for eliminating government jobs and funding cuts—it’s a stark contrast in values,” the former colleague said.
Gleason’s path has never followed a conventional trajectory. A University of Tennessee graduate and devoted football fan, she started as an emergency room nurse before transitioning into health tech. Her past employers describe her as relentless, sharp, and deeply committed to improving systems for patients and providers alike.
Now, she faces an entirely new challenge: navigating the high-stakes political landscape of federal government restructuring while balancing the expectations of an administration known for its aggressive downsizing efforts.
Her allies hope she can use her expertise to protect essential services from indiscriminate cuts. Whether she will have the influence to do so—or whether DOGE’s direction remains firmly in Musk’s hands—remains to be seen.
But even as she assumes the role of acting administrator, many are questioning whether she truly leads the agency—or if its most visible figure, Elon Musk, holds the real power.
A health care innovator thrust into the spotlight
Her dedication to simplifying medical data access was inspired by her daughter Morgan’s struggles with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disorder that took over a year to diagnose. The experience propelled her into patient advocacy and digital health innovation, leading her to co-found the startup CareSync and later take leadership roles at various health-focused companies.
Then, in late February, the White House unexpectedly named her the acting administrator of DOGE, an agency with sweeping authority to restructure the federal government. The announcement caught many off guard, including former colleagues who had long known her as an apolitical figure dedicated to patient advocacy.
A leadership role or a figurehead?
The White House only confirmed Gleason’s title after facing legal scrutiny about who was in charge of the agency. Even so, details about her role, responsibilities, and decision-making power remain scarce. Neither Gleason nor a DOGE spokesperson has publicly commented on her specific duties.
While some former colleagues praise her intelligence and integrity, others worry that she could become an unwitting participant in policies that contradict her past advocacy efforts. DOGE has already threatened deep budget cuts to agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—institutions critical to rare disease research, including the very work that benefited her daughter.
Conflicting values or strategic influence?
“Amy is a very thorough thinker,” Minow said. “I think she’ll make reasoned recommendations to the president. Our hope is that she can protect critical funding within the constraints of this administration’s goals.”
Others are less optimistic. A former health care IT colleague, speaking anonymously, described her appointment as a paradox.
“To go from being a passionate patient advocate to leading an agency responsible for eliminating government jobs and funding cuts—it’s a stark contrast in values,” the former colleague said.
A new challenge for an unconventional leader
Now, she faces an entirely new challenge: navigating the high-stakes political landscape of federal government restructuring while balancing the expectations of an administration known for its aggressive downsizing efforts.
Her allies hope she can use her expertise to protect essential services from indiscriminate cuts. Whether she will have the influence to do so—or whether DOGE’s direction remains firmly in Musk’s hands—remains to be seen.