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Dustin Luca
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SALEM, MASS. – Dr. Antonia Novello, the first woman and first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States, will return to Salem State University on Monday, Nov. 18 for a fireside chat on her remarkable journey and career.
Novello’s return to campus is on the release of her memoir, Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service. The book tour stop is a product of the combined efforts of four campus organizations: the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaboration, the Inclusive Excellence office, the Center for Justice and Liberation, and the biology department.
Novello first came to Salem State in 2017, when she addressed graduates of the university’s commencement exercises for the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. Novello was also an honorary degree recipient at the ceremony.
“She’s a great role model for our students who may not see themselves in that level of a leadership position,” said Jeramie Silveira, chairperson of Salem State’s occupational therapy department and director of the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaboration. “It can be highly impactful for students within our schools to see when a Hispanic woman can rise to a leadership position like surgeon general of the United States.”
Novello, 14th surgeon general of the United States, was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. She served as surgeon general from 1990 to 1993, working under then presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton. She also served as commissioner of the New York State Department of Health from 1999 to 2006.
“Dr. Novello covers a very broad range of healthcare and healthcare systems,” Silveira said. “We wanted to bring her personal journey in healthcare to campus, not only for students who know what field they want to go in, but also for the others who may not have chosen a field yet but want to hear her journey.”
The Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaboration was formed in 2023 to allow for cross-disciplinary collaboration within Salem State’s College of Health and Human Services. The center ties in all healthcare professions covered at Salem State, including nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work and speech psychology.
“We’re always looking for opportunities for our students to meet in-person with figures that have risen to these important leadership positions,” said Elisa Castillo, assistant vice president of HSI-MSI Initiatives. “Especially thinking of Antonia Novello as the first female and Latina to serve as Surgeon General in the United States, we thought it would be impactful to have her share her story, talk about her book, and spend time connecting with our students.”
The event will be held Monday, Nov. 18 in Ellison Campus Center’s Veterans Hall B from 11 am-12:30 pm. Visit the event page for more information.