Nadine Burke Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
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| 1st Surgeon General of California | |
| In office February 11, 2019 – February 11, 2022 |
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| Governor | Gavin Newsom |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Dr Diana Ramos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 (age 49–50) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Citizenship | United States Canada |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Arno Lockheart Harris
(m. 2011) |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA) University of California, Davis (MD) Harvard University (MPH) Stanford University (Pediatrics) |
| Occupation | Pediatrician, mental health researcher |
Nadine Burke Harris (born October 5, 1975) is a Canadian-American pediatrician. A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in caring for babies, children, and teenagers. Dr. Burke Harris was the very first Surgeon General of California. She held this important job from 2019 to 2022.
She is well-known for her research linking difficult childhood experiences to health problems later in life. She calls these "adverse childhood experiences" and "toxic stress." Dr. Burke Harris is seen as a leader in understanding and treating toxic stress. She has worked with the Clinton Foundation and founded the Center for Youth Wellness.
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Early Life and Education
Nadine Burke Harris was born in 1975 in Vancouver, Canada. Her family has roots in Jamaica. She lived there for a short time before moving to the United States when she was four years old. Her father is a biochemist, and her mother is a nurse.
She studied integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned her first degree there in 1996. Later, she went to the University of California, Davis to get her medical degree. She completed her training to become a pediatrician at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University School of Medicine. She also earned a master's degree in public health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Starting Her Career
In 2005, Dr. Burke Harris joined the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). Her goal was to create programs that would help everyone in San Francisco get good healthcare. She realized that not everyone had equal access to doctors.
With support from CPMC, she helped start the Bayview Child Health Center in 2007. She became the medical director of this new clinic.
Her Work and Discoveries
In 2008, Dr. Burke Harris read a research paper that changed her view on health. The paper talked about how tough childhood experiences affect adult health. She realized that many of her young patients' problems might be linked to difficult things they had gone through.
In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics asked her to join a special committee. This committee worked on something called the Resilience Project.
From 2010 to 2012, Dr. Burke Harris helped start the Adverse Childhood Experiences project. This project was in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. This led to the creation of the Center for Youth Wellness in 2012.
The Center for Youth Wellness
The Center for Youth Wellness (CYW) was created to help children deal with "adverse childhood experiences" (ACEs). ACEs are difficult or traumatic things that can happen to children. These might include abuse, neglect, or living with family members who have mental health issues.
When children experience many ACEs, it can lead to something called "toxic stress." This is different from normal stress. Toxic stress is long-lasting and can harm a child's brain and body development. It can lead to health problems later in life.
The CYW's main goal is to improve children's health by addressing the effects of ACEs. They want every pediatrician in the United States to check for ACEs by 2028. The Center helps children and families by offering medical care, mental health support, and community services. They focus on preventing and treating the harmful effects of toxic stress.
Sharing Her Knowledge
In 2014, Dr. Burke Harris gave a TED talk called "How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime." This talk became very popular. Millions of people have watched it to learn about her important work.
In 2018, she published her first book. It is called The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity. The book shares her insights and research on ACEs and toxic stress.
California's First Surgeon General
On January 21, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom chose Dr. Burke Harris for a new job. She became the state's very first Surgeon General. She officially started on February 11, 2019. In this role, she worked to improve the health of all Californians.
On February 1, 2022, she announced she would be leaving her position. She resigned on February 11, 2022, to spend more time with her family.
Personal Life
Dr. Burke Harris married Arno Lockheart Harris in 2011. They have four sons. She decided to step down from her role as Surgeon General to focus on her own health and her family.
Awards and Recognition
- 1999, The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
- 2013, Humanism in Medicine award, Gold Humanism Honor Society
- 2014, Leadership award, James Irvine Foundation
- 2016, 21st Annual Heinz Award in Human Condition
- 2023, David G. Nichols Health Equity Award, American Pediatric Society
