Antonia Coello Novello is a Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator born on August 23, 1944. She is notable for being the first woman and the first Hispanic to serve as the Surgeon General of the United States from 1990 to 1993. During her tenure, she focused on the health of women, children, and minorities, and addressed issues like underage drinking, smoking, and AIDS. Novello also worked to promote immunization and childhood injury prevention. Her early life was marked by a congenital megacolon, which required surgeries and hospital stays, inspiring her to become a doctor to help others avoid similar suffering. She studied medicine at the University of Puerto Rico and later obtained public health degrees from Johns Hopkins University. After her time as Surgeon General, she served as Commissioner of Health for New York State and contributed to public health initiatives worldwide, including work with UNICEF. Novello has been widely recognized for her contributions, receiving numerous awards, honorary degrees, and induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She retired from active service but continues to advocate for public health, including work during the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster relief in Puerto Rico.