Dr. Antonia C. NovelloPuerto Rico, Born in 1944
Former United States Surgeon General
In 1990, Antonia Novello became the first Hispanic — and first woman as well — to be appointed as Surgeon General of the United States. As a child, she had a chronic illness that caused her great suffering. She never forgot that experience. As surgeon general, Novello campaigned for better health care for children. She also paid special attention to the problems of alcoholism, smoking, AIDS, and violence.
