For over four decades, Dr. Antonia Novello has served the nation in various capacities, including serving as Deputy Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, being named the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States, and serving as the Commissioner of Health for the State of New York. Her life has been one of perseverance, battling childhood illness to become an advocate of health for young people, and dedication to public service. This book examines her inspirational and pioneering life through a series of lessons she has learned along the way, sharing these lessons with future generations.

Jill S. Tietjen, PE, is an author, international speaker, and an electrical engineer. After more than 45 years in the electric utility industry, her professional focus is now on women’ s advocacy, worldwide. A former blogger for The Huffington Post, she speaks internationally on the accomplishments of women, nominates women for awards, and continues to write books (12 published to date), following in the footsteps of her bestselling and award-winning books. Dr. Antonia Coello Novello was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.S. and an M.D. She completed her residency/internship in pediatrics atUniversity of Michigan, and a fellowship in pediatric nephrology at the University of Michiganand Georgetown University. Also, she received a Master’ s and a Doctor of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. On 1990, Dr. Antonia Novello was sworn as the 14th Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service, and became the first woman and the first Hispanic ever to hold this position.

 
Foreword by The Honorable George E. Pataki,
53rd Governor of the State of New York........................................... xv
Foreword by Jeffrey S. Buchanan,
Lieutenant General, US Army (Retired)........................................ xvii
Co-Author’s Note................................................................................... xix
Preface..................................................................................................... xxi
January 26, 2009.................................................................................. xxiii
Part I
Chapter 1. Eighteen Years of Constipation and Consternation........ 3
Chapter 2. A Kindly Professor and the Mayo Clinic Saved My Life........ 20
Chapter 3. Destiny and Marriage........................................................ 41
Chapter 4. Off to Michigan.................................................................. 50
Chapter 5. Washington, D.C., Beckons............................................... 62
Part II
Chapter 6. The Pediatrician of the Nation.......................................... 80
Chapter 7. UNICEF and Beyond....................................................... 119
Chapter 8. So Much More Than Vaccines......................................... 130
Chapter 9. Framed by the Albany 5................................................... 163
Chapter 10. Duty Still Calls................................................................ 173
Epilogue................................................................................................ 203
Life Lessons and Rules to Live By...................................................... 205
Afterword by Nilda Morales,
President and CEO, Society of Education and
Rehabilitation of Puerto Rico...................................................... 211
Afterword by James J. Barba, JD,
President Emeritus, Albany Medical Center............................ 215
Acknowledgments.................................................................................. 221
Awards and Honors............................................................................... 223
Discussion Questions............................................................................ 241
About the Authors................................................................................. 243