Antonia Novello

Antonia Novello is a prominent Puerto Rican physician and public health advocate who served as the U.S. Surgeon General from 1990 to 1993. She was the first woman and the first Hispanic person to hold this position. Novello focused on issues like health care access, drug abuse, and the health of women and children. Her advocacy work has significantly impacted public health policies, particularly in minority communities. After her tenure as Surgeon General, she continued to influence public health as an educator and by holding various leadership roles in health organizations.