 At the University of Minnesota Medical School and University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Lurie rose to become professor of medicine and public health, director of primary care research, and director of the Division of General Internal Medicine.Lurie also worked in state government and served as medical advisor to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.In 1998, Lurie took leave from her position in Minnesota to become Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, holding this position until 2001.