Lucille Norville Perez facts for kids

Lucille C. Norville Perez is an American doctor. She is known for her important work. She helps people stay healthy. She also works to prevent serious illnesses.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Perez was born in 1952. She studied medicine at New York Medical College. She became a doctor in 1979. She then trained in pediatrics. This is the study of children's health. She also studied adolescent medicine. This focuses on the health of teenagers. She completed this training at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

Career and Important Work

Dr. Perez started her career in New York. She worked in public service for many years. While working for New York City, she created programs. These programs helped young parents. They also helped teenagers make healthy choices. She became a strong supporter of fair medical care. She worked to make sure everyone gets good care. This was especially true for the Black community in New York City.

Dr. Perez also researched fairness in medical treatment. She looked at how people receive care. She studied if everyone gets the same pain relief. Her research showed that people of color sometimes faced unfair treatment. This could lead to longer recovery times.

After leading the National Medical Association, Dr. Perez took a new role. She worked for the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Here, she continued her research. She focused on helping people avoid harmful habits. She also worked on preventing serious illnesses. Dr. Perez also started the Cave Institute. This is a group that works to make healthcare fair for everyone. In 2006, she became a director at UPRIS. This is a company that uses technology for health.

Honors and Awards

• President, National Medical Association (2001)
• Health Director, NAACP (2005)
• Congressional Black Caucus Special Achievement Award
• Distinguished Service Award, Department of Health and Human Services