| 1944 |
Born on August 23 in Fajardo, Puerto
Rico.
As a child, suffers from an abnormality of the
colon. She spends two weeks each summer in the
hospital, where she learns to relate to nurses
and doctors. |
| 1959 |
Graduates from high school at the age of 15. Her
mother, a teacher and later the high school principal at Antonia's
school, stresses the importance of education and motivates Antonia
to do well. Undaunted by her illness, Antonia excells in school.
Attends the University of Pueto Rico at Rio Piedras. |
| 1962 |
Undergoes surgery to correct her
medical condition. She should have had surgery at
the age of eight, but she had to wait until she
was eighteen. Complications from the surgery trouble
her for two years.
|
| 1964 |
Goes to the U.S. for treatment. Her medical condition
is finally resolved. |
| 1965 |
Receives a B.S. degree. |
| 1970 |
Earns her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University
of Puerto Rico at San Juan.
Marries Joseph Novello.
Enters her internship in pediatrics at the University of Michigan
Medical Center. |
| 1979 |
Joins the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda,
Maryland.
Over the next 12 years, rises from Project Officer in the Institute
of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases to the Deputy Director
of the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development. |
| 1990-1993 |
Is recognized for her work with AIDS and is appointed
Surgeon General by President George Bush. Dr.
Antonia Novello is the first woman Surgeon General
and the first Latin American Surgeon General. |
| 1993 |
Serves the United Nations Children's Health Organization
(UNICEF), as the Special Representative for Health and Nutrition. |
For more information about Antonia Novello, visit the
following websites:
Antonia Novella
