President Bush announced Wednesday his selection of Dr. Antonia Novello, a pediatrician and deputy director of the government's National Institute of Child Health, to be surgeon general. She would be the first woman to hold the post.
If confirmed by the Senate, she would succeed C. Everett Koop, the outspoken pediatric surgeon who stepped down in September after seven years as the nation's chief public health officer.A native of Puerto Rico, Novello, 45, is a pediatric kidney specialist.
She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and in 1970 from the university's medical school in the top 5 percent of her class.
Novello joined the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in April 1986. She is its deputy director as well as coordinator for AIDS research.
Anti-abortion groups had closely monitored the process of filling the surgeon general's post.
Presidential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Novello shares Bush's anti-abortion views - opposition to abortions except to protect the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest; and opposition of federal funding of abortions for poor women except when the mother's life is in danger.
"Anybody who comes into a policymaking positon is asked if they can support our policy," Fitzwater said.
Novello was one of a number of women recommended for the job by President Bush's personal physician, Burton J. Lee III, who said he withdrew himself from consideration for the job because of his pro-choice views in abortion.
Novello worked for Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in 1982-83, when he was chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee.
She is married to a psychiatrist, Dr. Joe Novello, who hosted a talk show on a Washington radio station offering advice for troubled adolescents. Her brother-in-law is Don Novello, the comedian better known as "Father Guido Sarducci."
Novello has served on several government task forces studying AIDS and on committees that dealt with women's health issues.