Born: 1944 (Fajardo, Puerto Rico)
Biography:
Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., was born on August 23, 1944, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. She grew up in a humble household, where her father worked as a sugar cane plantation worker and her mother was a homemaker. From a young age, Novello showed exceptional intelligence and a deep passion for helping others. Her parents encouraged her to pursue education, which they believed was the key to a better future.
Novello excelled academically and graduated high school at the top of her class. With her sights set on becoming a doctor, she enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology in 1965. Determined to continue her education, Novello pursued a medical degree at the School of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico. Despite facing financial hardships, she persevered and graduated in 1970, becoming the first woman in her family to become a doctor.
Following her graduation, Novello moved to Michigan to complete her residency in pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School. During her residency, she encountered a young patient who suffered from chronic kidney disease, which sparked her interest in pediatric nephrology. Novello decided to further specialize in this field and pursued a fellowship at the Georgetown University School of Medicine.
In 1976, Novello opened her own private practice in Springfield, Virginia, where she worked as a pediatrician. However, she soon realized that she lacked adequate emotional detachment for her work, and the emotional toll became overwhelming. Novello made the difficult decision to close her practice, stating, When the pediatrician cries as much as the parents do, then you know it’s time to get out.
Her experience as a pediatrician led her to explore other avenues in healthcare, and in 1979, Novello joined the Public Health Service and received a commission in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC). She began her journey at the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a project officer.
Driven by her passion for public health, Novello pursued a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, which she earned in 1982. She continued to climb the ranks within the Public Health Service, holding various positions at NIH before being appointed as the deputy director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and Coordinator for AIDS Research for NICHD in 1987.
Novello’s dedication to healthcare and her expertise caught the attention of President George H. W. Bush, who appointed her as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States in 1990. This historic appointment made Novello the first woman and the first Hispanic to hold the esteemed position. As Surgeon General, she focused her efforts on addressing critical health issues such as women’s health, underage drinking, smoking, and AIDS.
Novello played a crucial role in launching the Healthy Children Ready to Learn initiative, which aimed to address the health needs of children and improve their performance in school. She also advocated for increased healthcare access for minority populations, believing that everyone should have equal opportunities to live healthy lives.
After completing her tenure as Surgeon General in 1993, Novello continued to make significant contributions to public health. She served as the Commissioner of Health for the State of New York from 1999 to 2006, where she implemented various initiatives to improve healthcare for the residents of New York.
Throughout her career, Novello received numerous awards and honors for her outstanding contributions to the field of medicine and public health. She was awarded more than fifty honorary degrees, recognizing her expertise and commitment to improving the health and well-being of others. In 2000, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, a testament to her contributions to medical science.
Furthermore, Novello was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, solidifying her role as a trailblazer for women in healthcare. Her dedication, resilience, and passion have left an indelible mark on the field, inspiring generations to come.
Awards:
– More than fifty honorary degrees
– Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
– Elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2000