The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health will host Antonia Novello, MD, DrPH, former United States surgeon general, for a grand rounds panel discussion on public service.
The event will take place Jan. 24 at noon in the Jack T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute Fred Smith Auditorium on the UAMS Little Rock campus. The free event is open to the public.
During the event, Novello — the 14th U.S. surgeon general and the first-ever Hispanic woman to serve in the role — will also speak about various topics from her book, “Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service.”
The book, published in March 2024, details Novello’s life, her commitment to service and improving the health of entire populations.
In addition to serving as surgeon general and being an author, Novello has also earned a multitude of special accolades including the Department of Defense Legion of Merit Medal, the Smithsonian Institute-James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, the National Governor’s Association Distinguished Service to State Government Award, the Charles C. Shepard Science Award for Scientific Excellence, and a 1990 induction into the International Women in Medicine Hall of Fame.
An alumna of Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a doctorate in public health, Novello has received a Hopkins Alumni Association Woodrow Wilson Award for Distinguished Government Service.
Novello, who was the New York State Commissioner of Health during the 9/11 crisis, will also have a question-and-answer session with College of Public Health students following the grand rounds discussion. Joycelyn Elders, MD, — Arkansas native, UAMS professor emeritus and the 15th U.S. surgeon general — will join Novello for the discussion and student Q&A.