Born in Puerto Rico, on the 23rd of August 1944, Antonia Novello is a dedicated public health advocate who became the first woman, and first Hispanic to become the U.S surgeon general in the year 1990. Today she is a well-known individual for her values and her achievements. So here are some of Antonia Novello’s Accomplishments that led to her fame.
Antonia Novello Accomplishments
1. Antonia has led many public campaigns
Antonia Novella has led many important public health campaigns where she aimed to improve health conditions as well as access to medical care specifically for children, women, and minority populations.
2. Antonia received a scholarship from the University of Puerto Rico
Antonia was an excellent student when she earned a scholarship from the University of Puerto Rico and in 1965 she managed to receive her B.S. She also attended the University Of Puerto Rico School Of Medicine where she graduated in 1970.
3. She earned the “pediatrics intern of the year” title
Antonia decided to specialize in pediatric nephrology where she first completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Michigan in 1974. Thereafter she completed her nephrology fellowship at the University of Georgetown in 1976. During her time at the University of Michigan, Antonia became the first female to be named Pediatrics intern of the year.
4. Antonia helped establish the Organ Transplantation Procurement Act
Antonia provided her support to help establish and draft the federal legislation for the 1984 Organ Transplantation Procurement Act, which helped to establish the national registry for organ matching. She also helped to put into effect the health warnings that were added to the packaging of cigarettes.
5. She was appointed as the United States’ 14th surgeon general
When Antonia was working on pediatric AIDS, President George H.W Bush took notice of her and in 1990 he appointed her as the 14th surgeon general who is considered the nation’s top health official. She became the first female and the first Hispanic to serve as U.S surgeon general.
6. She launched many successful initiatives to fight underage smoking and drinking
During her time as surgeon general, Antonia focused on the health of children, women, and minorities. She established initiatives to fight underage smoking and drinking. One of her most successful campaigns helped to put an end to advertising tobacco aimed at children through ads such as the “Joe Camel” cartoon.
7. She served as the state health commissioner
In the year 1999 George Pataki, the New York governor nominated Antonia to serve as the state health commissioner. This made her the head of the largest public health agency in the country. However, in 2006 she left the position.
8. She was the Executive Director of the Public Health Policy
Antonia worked at the Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando, where she, later on, retired as the Executive Director of Public Health Policy. Despite her retirement, she continued to allocate her time and energy to help improve the health of people who were in need.
9. She was the UNICEF Special Representative for Health and Nutrition
After Antonia left her position as the Surgeon General, she continued to remain in the regular corps of the public health service. Later on from 1993 to 1996, she was assigned as the United Nations Children’s Fund special representative for health and nutrition.
10. She received many awards during her career
Antonia received various awards throughout her career as a public health official and a physician, which included the Public Health Commendation Medal in 1993, the Order of Military Medical Merit Award in 1992, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Medal in 1991, and the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal in 2002. And also in 1994, Antonia Novello was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Overall, Antonia Novella has gained many achievements throughout her career as well as during her education. Today she is a world-renowned individual who refused to give up despite the hardships she faced in her life. Her achievements and goals are of much inspiration to many. Thus to this day, she is a highly respected woman that is very well recognized for the valuable service she does to society to ensure a safe and healthy future for adults and children.
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