Since joining the Legislature in 2019, Leavitt has championed policies aimed at improving access to care, addressing critical health care worker shortage, strengthening behavioral health services, supporting healthcare workers, and protecting public health. Her legislative work has included efforts to expand mental health support, reduce prescription costs, improve telemedicine access, protect people during extreme weather, address youth access to harmful products, and support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. (Photo: Representative Mari Leavitt and Dr. Vin Gupta, keynote speaker and Director of Health Innovation at Manat).

“I’m deeply honored to receive the Paul Beeson Award,” Leavitt said. “So much of my work in the Legislature has been guided by a simple belief: everyone deserves access to safe, affordable, compassionate care and the opportunity to live a healthy life. I’m grateful to Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility for this recognition and for their continued advocacy on behalf of healthier communities across our state.” 

Leavitt has sponsored and supported a range of legislation focused on health equity and public well-being, including the Extreme Weather Protection Act, the Mental Health Counselor Compact, behavioral health scholarship expansion, opioid education in schools, insulin cost protections, telemedicine access, protections for healthcare workers, and removing licensing barriers to several health care professions for folks to quickly get to work. 

Dr. Breck Lebegue, co-chair of the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Climate & Health Task Force, praised Leavitt’s longstanding commitment to public health and community care at the ceremony. 

“Rep. Leavitt has consistently led with compassion, thoughtfulness, and a clear commitment to improving lives,” Lebegue said. “Her work reflects a deep understanding that health is shaped not just by medicine, but by the systems, services, and protections people rely on every day.” 

A longtime resident of the 28th Legislative District, Leavitt attended Tacoma Community College, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Washington University, and received her doctorate from Oregon State University. She lives in University Place with her husband, children, and pets.