“America’s Doctor: Reflections on Being the Surgeon General” to feature Drs. Antonia Novello, Joycelyn Elders, David Satcher, and Richard Carmona, moderated by Pfizer’s Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall
New York (September 20, 2018) – On October 15 at 6:00pm, The New York Academy of Medicine will host an intimate conversation with four former U.S. Surgeons General: Antonia Novello, MD, MPH, DrPH, Joycelyn Elders, MD, MS, David Satcher, MD, PhD, and Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS. Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, DFAPA, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Inc., will moderate the discussion.
“Surgeons General Drs. Novello, Elders, Satcher, and Carmona were and continue to be trailerblazers and leading voices on public health issues including prevention, smoking, sexual health, and health disparities,” said Judith A. Salerno, MD, MS, Academy President. “The Academy is honored to bring together these fourdignitaries to provide an engaging and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk about what it takes to ensure the health of the nation.
Dr. Antonia C. Novello served as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States from 1990-1993 under President George H.W. Bush. Her appointment held two firsts: she became the first woman and the first Hispanic ever to hold this position. As Surgeon General, Dr. Novello advised the public on health matters such as smoking, AIDS, diet and nutrition, environmental health hazards, and the importance of immunization and disease prevention.
Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders served as the 15th Surgeon General of the United States from 1993-1994 under President Bill Clinton. Dr. Elders was the first African-American and second woman appointed to the post of Surgeon General. During her tenure, Dr. Elders nearly doubled childhood immunization rates, expanded the state’s prenatal care program, and increased home-care options for the chronically and terminally ill.
Dr. David Satcher served as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States from 1998-2002 under President Bill Clinton. Dr. Satcher served simultaneously in the position of Assistant Secretary for Health from February 1998 through January 2001. He also held the posts of Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from 1993 to 1998.
Dr. Richard H. Carmona served as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States from 2002-2006 under President George W. Bush. During his tenure, Dr. Carmona focused on prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy, and global health to include health diplomacy. He also issued many landmark Surgeon General communications, including the definitive Surgeon General’s Report about the dangers of second-hand smoke.
Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall serves as Pfizer’s Chief Medical Officer and leads Pfizer Medical, the division responsible for the safe, effective and appropriate use of Pfizer medicines and vaccines around the world. In addition to providing science grounded medical information to prescribers and patients, Pfizer Medical is also responsible for the company’s office of patient affairs, its centers of excellence on pediatric care, clinical trial diversity and healthy aging, and its worldwide compassionate access program.
The speakers’ and moderator’s full bios can be viewed here.
The event will take place at The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street. Members of the media are invited to RSVP and submit requests for interviews by October 10 to Kiri Oliver at koliver@nyam.org or (212) 822-7278.
About The New York Academy of Medicine
Established in 1847, The New York Academy of Medicine is dedicated to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life. Through our original research, policy and program initiatives we provide the evidence base to address the structural and cultural barriers to good health and drive progress toward health equity. This work and our one-of-a-kind public programming are supported by our world class historical medical library and our Fellows program, a unique network of more than 2,000 experts elected by their peers from across the professions affecting health. For more information visit www.nyam.org.
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