Antonia Novello Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Antonia Novello


Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health
In office June 1999 – December 31, 2006
Governor	George Pataki
Preceded by	Dennis P. Whalen (Acting)
Succeeded by	Richard F. Daines
14th Surgeon General of the United States
In office March 9, 1990 – June 30, 1993
President	George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton
Preceded by	James Mason (Acting)
Succeeded by	Robert Whitney (Acting)

Personal details
Born	(1944-08-23) August 23, 1944 (age 81) Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (BS) University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (MD) Johns Hopkins University (MPH)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Rank	Vice admiral
Unit	USPHS Commissioned Corps

Antonia Coello Novello, born on August 23, 1944, is a doctor from Puerto Rico who became a top health leader in the United States. She served as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States from 1990 to 1993. This role is like being the "nation's top doctor." Dr. Novello made history as the first woman and the first Hispanic person to hold this important job.

She was also a vice admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. Later, she was the head of the New York State Department of Health. Dr. Novello has won many awards for her work and has been honored in the National Women's Hall of Fame. In 2024, she shared her life story in a book called Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service.

A Promise to Help Others
Path to Becoming a Doctor
A Career of Service
Awards and Honors
Personal Life
See also

A Promise to Help Others

Antonia Novello was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. As a child, she had a serious medical condition that was very painful. Because of this illness, she had to spend part of every summer in the hospital.

Doctors told her she needed an operation when she was eight, but she had to wait ten more years to get it. This long and difficult wait had a big impact on her. She decided then that she would become a doctor. She made a promise to herself that she would work hard so that "no other person is going to wait 18 years for surgery." This experience gave her a strong reason to help others.

Path to Becoming a Doctor

Antonia's mother was a school principal who always told her how important education was. Antonia was a very bright student and graduated from high school at only 15 years old! She went on to study at the University of Puerto Rico, earning a science degree in 1965.

She then attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and became a medical doctor in 1970. After getting married, she moved to Michigan and started training to be a pediatrician (a doctor for children) at the University of Michigan Medical School. She was so good at her job that she became the first woman to win the "Intern of the Year" award there. Later, she studied at Georgetown University School of Medicine and the famous Johns Hopkins University, where she earned advanced degrees in public health.

A Career of Service

A Doctor for Children

In 1976, Dr. Novello opened her own medical office in Virginia to care for children. However, she found it very difficult emotionally. She cared so deeply for her patients that their pain felt like her own. She once said, "When the pediatrician cries as much as the parents do, then you know it's time to get out." She decided she could help more families by working in public health.

The Public Health Service

In 1979, Dr. Novello joined the Public Health Service, a group of health professionals who work to protect the health of all Americans. She worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she focused on children's health issues.

She became a leader at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. There, she became very interested in helping children with serious illnesses. Her hard work and dedication got the attention of leaders in Washington, D.C. She also helped create an important law about organ transplants.

The First Female and Hispanic Surgeon General

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush chose Dr. Novello to be the Surgeon General of the United States. This was a historic moment, as she was the first woman and the first Hispanic person ever to hold the job.

As Surgeon General, she worked hard to improve the health of everyone, especially women, children, and minorities. She was known for her strong campaigns focused on:

Helping kids get ready for school with the Healthy Children Ready to Learn Initiative.
Making sure children received their immunizations (shots) to prevent diseases.
Warning young people about the dangers of smoking. She spoke out against tobacco companies that used cartoon characters like Joe Camel to appeal to kids.
Starting a national health plan for Hispanic and Latino communities.

Dr. Novello served as Surgeon General until 1993. The government praised her for her energy and talent in the role.

Continuing to Serve

After her time as Surgeon General, Dr. Novello did not stop working.

From 1993 to 1996, she worked for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), helping children with health and nutrition all over the world.
In 1999, she was appointed the Commissioner of Health for New York State, a job she held until 2006.
From 2008 to 2014, she worked at a children's hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Novello officially retired in 2014, after a long and amazing career dedicated to public health.

Awards and Honors

Selected awards and honors include:

Public Health Service Commendation Medal, 1983
Public Health Service Citation Medal, 1984
Public Health Service Regular Corps Ribbon, 1987
Public Health Service Outstanding Service Medal, 1988
Public Health Service Unit Commendation, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994
Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal, 1989
Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Citation, 1989
Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal, 1990
Public Health Service National Emergency Preparedness Award, 1990
Public Health Service Foreign Duty Award, 1990
United States Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, 1992
Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal, 1992
Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service, 2018
Commissioned Officers Association Ribbon
Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Ribbon
Reserve Officers Association Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, 1993
Order of Military Medical Merit
Puerto Rico Merit Cross 2023
Surgeon General Badge
Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services Badge

1990, Life Achievement Award, the National Puerto Rican Coalition
1991, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Medal
1991, The Elizabeth Blackwell Medal, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
1992, Order of Military Medical Merit, US Army
1993, Department of Defense, Legion of Merit Medal, United States Army
1994, Induction, National Women's Hall of Fame.
2000, elected to the National Academy of Medicine
2002, American Medical Women's Association, International Women in Medicine Hall of Fame
2002, The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, Smithsonian Institution
2018, Dolores C. Huerta Woman of Courage Medallion, United States Hispanic Leadership Institute
2019, Meritorious Public Service Medal for Exceptional Service during the Recovery Operations in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, U.S. Army
2020, USA Today, 100 Women of the Century
2021, Premio a la Excelencia del Servicio al Projimo, Sister Isolina Ferré Award
2023, Puerto Rico National Guard, Merit Cross Medal

Novello has been awarded more than 50 honorary doctorates.

Personal Life

Dr. Novello was married to Joseph R. Novello, who was a doctor and psychiatrist. Her brother-in-law was Don Novello, a comedian famous for playing the character Father Guido Sarducci on the TV show Saturday Night Live.

Antonia Novello facts for kids

Contents