Antonia Novello

Antonia Novello (pronounced An-to-nia No-vel-lo) is a prominent figure in the field of medicine and public health. She is best known for her tenure as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States, making history as the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold this position.

Etymology

The name Antonia is of Latin origin and means "priceless one". Novello is an Italian surname, derived from the Latin word "novellus" meaning "new".

Early Life and Education

Antonia Novello was born on August 23, 1944, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras before earning her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1970. Novello then completed her internship and residency in nephrology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Career

Novello joined the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in 1978 and served in various capacities, including Deputy Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1986-1990) and Deputy Surgeon General (1990-1993). In 1993, she was appointed as the Surgeon General of the United States by President George H. W. Bush, a position she held until 2001.

As Surgeon General, Novello focused on various health issues, including alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and AIDS. She also worked to improve health care access for minorities and the underprivileged.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving the office of Surgeon General, Novello served as the UNICEF Special Representative for Health and Nutrition (2001-2003) and as the New York State Health Commissioner (2006-2007). She continues to be an advocate for public health and is a role model for women and Hispanics in the field of medicine.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Antonia Novello
Wikipedia's article - Antonia Novello

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