First female, Hispanic US Surgeon General visits School of Medicine

Antonia Coello Novello, MD, the trailblazing first woman and first Hispanic Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service, visited the Texas A&M University School of Medicine on March 26. Amid a packed schedule, Novello’s visit included a series of informative sessions aimed at shaping the next generation of medical professionals.

The afternoon started with “Doc Talks,” a session dedicated to guiding medical students through diverse career pathways. Novello, with her wealth of experience, provided invaluable insights, encouraging students to explore various avenues within the medical field.

Following this was a Leadership Discussion and Q&A session, in which attendees could engage with Novello directly. Her words resonated with attendees as she shared anecdotes and advice from her distinguished career. A key takeaway from her statement was, “Leave your biases out of medicine,” which emphasized the importance of impartiality and empathy in health care practice.

The day peaked with the Leadership Seminar and Insights, where Novello delved into the intricacies of health care leadership. Attendees were presented with profound insights on effective leadership strategies and the significance of embracing one’s qualities. Novello’s words, “Do not hide your qualities; someone else will do it for you,” echoed throughout the session, inspiring future health care leaders to embrace their strengths unapologetically.

The event, offering Zoom and in-person attendance options, ensured accessibility for all participants who wanted to learn from Novello. As the day concluded, Novello’s guidance lingered, leaving a lasting impact on the aspiring Aggie medical professionals in attendance.