Dr. Antonia Novello is a healthcare professional who for many decades focused on improving the health of women, children and those most vulnerable in modern society.
She was born in Puerto Rico on August 23, 1944 and is the oldest of three children. During her childhood, Dr. Novello suffered from congenital megacolon which impacted her large intestine. Treatment options were available, but due to her family’s financial situation, Dr. Novella was unable to receive surgery to cure the condition until she was eighteen years old. This experience had a lasting impact on her and was one factor that inspired her to pursue a career in health sciences. Dr. Novello earned a multitude of degrees and certificates including a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Puerto Rico in 1965 and 1970 respectively and a master degree in Public Health from John Hopkins University in 1982.
After marrying Joseph R. Novello and moving to Michigan, Dr. Antonia Novello completed an internship and residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatrics nephrology. She took an interest in nephrology after a beloved family member died due to complications with their kidneys. Dr. Novello practiced medicine in a private office for two years, but eventually transitioned to work for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1978. Novello focused on health issues related to women, children and marginalized communities during her time at NIH. She was instrumental in the legislation that led to the creation of the national organ transplant registry and she also played a significant role in requiring all cigarette containers be labeled with a health warning. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush selected her as the new United States Surgeon General making her both the first woman and the first Hispanic American to fill the role.
Novello served as the U.S. Surgeon General from 1990 until 1994 when the Clinton Administration began. During her tenure, Novello continued to advocate for women and children. “In March 1992, she and James S. Todd, executive vice-president of the American Medical Association (AMA), held a news conference at which they denounced the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s advertisements featuring the cartoon character Joe Camel, because research showed that it appealed to young children.” (Meier et al., 1997, p. 272) Novello was also vocal about the alcohol industry’s marketing practices, particularly the industry’s use of advertisements which showed people skiing, surfing or mountain climbing with alcoholic beverages close by as it suggested people could perform these activities while consuming alcohol. Novello also raised awareness on domestic violence and its impact on women. (Meier et al. 1997)
After 1994, when a new Surgeon General was appointed, Novello continued to work within the healthcare industry until her retirement in the 2010s. Novello currently spends her time between Puerto Rico and Florida and is still an active advocate for the health needs of others. Most recently during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Novello spoke with parents and other community members of the importance of vaccination and even participated in local vaccination clinics and programs. And in August of 2021, she and other living former surgeon generals participated in a White House event where they discussed “getting information and access to vaccines to communities of color, who have been the hardest hit during the pandemic.” (Sesin, 2021)
Novello has received recognition for her work as a healthcare provider and public health advocate. Some of the awards she has received over the course of her career include “the Public Health Service Commendation Medal (1983); Congressional Hispanic Caucus Medal (1991); Order of Military Medical Merit Award (1992); and the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal (2002).” (Brandman, 2021) Dr. Antonia Novello’s lengthy career is inspirational for people committed to serving their communities and her legacy of speaking up for women and children will have profound effects for years to come.
References:
- Meier, M. S., Franco Serri, C., & Garcia, R. A. (1997). Notable Latino Americans. ABC-CLIO
- Sesin, C. (2021, August 23). First Hispanic surgeon general on Covid: Use ‘common sense’, save your family. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/first-hispanic-surgeon-general-covid-use-common-sense-family-rcna1742
- Brandman, M. (2021). Antonia Novello. National Women’s History Museum. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/antonia-novello
