Groundbreaking Surgeon General To Attend Week Of Local Events

SALEM, MA – The first female and first Hispanic U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Antonia Novello, will engage in a week on panel discussions, lectures, and forums around the North Shore and Boston this week.

Salem State University and the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) are hosting Novello for events at Salem High School, Collins Middle School in Salem, Simmons College in Boston, SSU, Salvatore's Restaurant in Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College, MassDOT in Boston, and Eastern Bank in Boston.

"I am grateful and honored that Dr. Novello, a physician, administrator and teacher who has devoted her life to public health, will bring such extensive experience to our Salem State University campus and surrounding communities," said Lisa McBride, vice president of diversity and inclusion at Salem State University. "She has been a strong advocate for addressing children’s health concerns, and as the nation’s former chief doctor, addressed broader health issues. Dr. Novello is tremendously concerned about the medical and social problems of children and has a way of drawing others into that concern, whether by directing the pediatric AIDS program at the Institute of Child Health and Human Development or lobbying for more research in this area at the National Institutes of Health."

Novello served under President George H. W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, and focused on health issues concerning young people, women and minorities. In 1999, Novello was appointed New York State Health Commissioner, and was responsible for disaster management after the 9/11 attacks.

Here's the schedule of public events for Dr. Novello:

Monday, March 20, 5:30-9 p.m.
Call to Action on Healthcare Disparities: Healthcare Lecture Series
Simmons College, Linda Paresky Conference Center, 300 Fenway, Boston

In an event hosted by Simmons College and organized by ALPFA and Salem State, Dr. Novello, will deliver the keynote address before a panel of speakers and host a discussion on healthcare disparities. This event will be moderated by Salem State President Patricia Maguire Meservey and opening remarks will be given by Simmons College President Helen Drinan. Panelists include professors Joanna Almeida of the Simmons School of Social Work, Robert Coulam of the School of Management at Simmons College, Judith Cullinane of the Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Anne DeFelippo, Salem State University School of Nursing. This is a ticketed event open to the public. The event is open to media.

Please visit ALPFA here for more information.

Tuesday, March 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m. lecture; 5:30-6:30 p.m. discussion
Disparities in Healthcare Quality among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Salem State University, Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center

Nursing, healthcare studies, social work, and counseling psychology students and faculty will host Dr. Novello for a lecture on the topic of "Disparities in Healthcare Quality among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups," to address the studies reporting that the State of Massachusetts experiences widening disparities in health status between Latinos and whites. This event is open to the public and the media.

Wednesday, March 22, 7-9 a.m.
Executives’ Breakfast Forum: "Sizing, Attracting and Engaging the State’s Next Generation Workforce"
Salvatore’s Restaurant, 354 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, MA

All proceeds of this event will benefit the Dr. Antonia Novello Scholarship for Latino Students at Salem State University. This scholarship will be Salem State’s first scholarship dedicated to Latino students and Dr. Novello’s first scholarship made in her honor. This is a ticketed event for the public, open to the media.

Thursday, March 23, 5:30-8:30 pm
Stakeholders Roundtable
Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Suite 2890, 10 Park Plaza, Boston

ALPFA Boston and Salem State have organized and will host a stakeholders roundtable on "Strengthening the Latino Pipeline into STEM+M Fields." Dr. Novello will be joined by Commissioner of High Education for Massachusetts Carlos E. Santiago and Massachusetts Secretary of Education Jim Peyser as panelists. President Meservey will moderate the discussion. Please visit ALPFA here for more information public and media attendance.

Friday, March 24, 7-9 am
Women’s History Breakfast
Eastern Bank, Boston

Leaders from Eastern Bank and ALPFA will gather for an event celebrating Women’s History Month. Dr. Novello will deliver the keynote address entitled "The Vision and Voice of Women." Please visit ALPFA here for more information about public and media attendance.

Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Salem State Latin American Student Organization (LASO) Leadership Conference
Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center

The executive board of LASO will host approximately 25 universities from around the Commonwealth with Dr. Novello delivering the keynote address. Visit Salem State’s chapter of LASO here. This event is open to the public and media.

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