Nadine Burke Harris

Nadine Burke Harris is an American pediatrician, public health advocate, and the first Surgeon General of California, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in January 2019. She is renowned for her work linking adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress with harmful effects to health later in life. Burke Harris has been a leading figure in the movement to transform how society responds to early childhood adversity and trauma.

Early Life and Education

Nadine Burke Harris was born in Canada to Jamaican parents and moved to Palo Alto, California, at a young age. She pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Integrative Biology. Following her passion for medicine, she earned her medical degree from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. Burke Harris completed her residency in pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Career

Early in her career, Burke Harris founded the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. The center was established as a response to the high rates of ACEs among her pediatric patients in a community grappling with poverty and violence. Her work at the center aimed to provide a comprehensive approach to child health, integrating mental health services, nutritional advice, and social services support to address the holistic needs of children.

Burke Harris's research has focused on how adverse childhood experiences — such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, parental addiction, mental illness, and poverty — affect the developing brains and bodies of children. She has advocated for routine screening of ACEs in pediatric health care as a means to early intervention and prevention of long-term health consequences.

In her role as California's Surgeon General, Burke Harris has launched several initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities and addressing the root causes of health problems, including the implementation of ACEs Aware, a statewide program that trains healthcare providers on how to screen for ACEs and support affected individuals.

Publications and Media

Nadine Burke Harris is the author of The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity, a book that explores the science behind ACEs and offers insights into overcoming childhood trauma. She has also been featured in various media outlets and documentaries, including Oprah Winfrey's 60 Minutes segment on trauma-informed care.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Burke Harris has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to medicine and public health. Her innovative approach to addressing childhood adversity and its impact on health has made her a respected voice in the field of pediatric health care.

Personal Life

Nadine Burke Harris is married and has children. She balances her professional responsibilities with her role as a mother, often speaking about the importance of family support in achieving health and well-being.

See Also

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Toxic Stress
• Pediatrics
• Public Health

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